Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-04
AN OUTBURST OF BUNTING.
THE CITY IN GALA DRESS.
RED WHITE and BLUE EVERYWHERE
The Decoration Of Pennsylvania Avenue


found on the buildings along the Avenue ano
the principal business houses, but in the qule'
resident portions and the remote sections will bt
found flags flying in the breeze. The gala dres'
ofthe city is so general as to be universal. Ihe
Avenue was perhaps never before 80 elaborateI!
decked. From Washington circle to the capitol
the buildings on both sides were almost buried
in masses of bunting. Flags, gaily-colored
stresmers and pennants futtered in the ar
adding to the gay animation Of the scene
Every point was occupied TIE parks were were
covered with stands, the 'front.' OF when Nelt
handsomely trimmed. Private stands In grea
numbers were erected before the buildings ane
afforded fine opportunities for the decorate a,,
skill. The Avenue seemed to iar!
run riot in color. From one end to the otnei
il had the appearance of a great triumphal way
and it formed a fitting setting for the gres
procession. While individual taste mad Iu.
swing and there was no public decoration, yes
as would naturally be the case, there va.
harmony in all this diversity. Vhe prevalhns
colors were those of the national emblems, ano
in whatever form they appeared or with wnar
ever difference of design, vet in general 1ne
entire decoration of the route blended N
pleasing combination of colors. The citizens
expended their money freely in bringing aoou'
this result, and when the members OF tne
decoration committee made their visits lron,
house to house along the route, they found
that il was the general intention to decorate.
The committee having this particular mstser
in charge received reports from time to time
showing that the citizens were alive TO tine DC
casion. The lavish decoration which Is seen on
al sides verifes these reports Some OF ine
principal decorations are mentioned below:
AROUND THE WHITE HOUSE
The White House, though not decorated
ITSELF is well surrounded with color. The pup
lie buildings on either side are very handsome,
and many private buildings on 18th street add
their mites to make the neighborhood wear
very much of holiday aspect The Treasury
building is about as beautiful as it could posi-
biz be made. There is something severe N tne
simplicity of the plan. rendered necessary .!
the architecture of the bulidlrg; oa.
that very fact is an element "a oeauIy
in itself. The whole presents an appear
ance Of a well-dresssd MN IN SOBER
garb among number IN g1udy costumes;
The north, east and south fronts nave received
the tonch of the decorative artist. On the
cast side the plau was to drape each column
for abont twelve feet from the base with huge
American Aax with the field above and the
stripes rT,uning doVnwards. At the top are two
f,ars crossed. extending two or three feet out
frnsn .sch side. The point where the stats
cross ID covered with a five-pointed gilt star.
The fields of the draping flags face in opposite
directions on either side of the center.
The cross flags alternate between
rational and revenue marine banners.
At the peak of each gable is a monstrous shield
representing the Treasury seal with its great
key. From this point streamers are festooned
gracefully, some of them going back to the
cornice and others floating downward The
south front is very handsome, the colors being
more concentrated. A shield is placed at the
central gable and beautiful streamers radiate
In all directions. On each side of the gable
front the wall is decorated in the same way
with graceful folds of bunting. The north
front il partially covered by the stand
but the design of the upper portion. which is the
same as that Of the south face &c.
is plainly visible The stands which surround
the east and north fronts of the building are
also gaily trimmed. Along tine rear and sides
are planted large flags of various designs per
haps one hundred ard fifty in number. while
small sags give finishing effect. The decora
tons of this building have been greatly ad
mired. and Mr.. George Coffin. a clerk in the
revenue marine bureau, and artist of more
than local fame, who drew the plans of tn,
trimming of the building, has received gener
Gus praise from those whose artistic tastes hay,
been gratlfied in his handling of color
The War department. building is very hand
some. the design of the decorations bein.
planned by Superintendent Williamson. Onl,
the north and east fronts are decorated. tn,
central gables being the keys of the plan Eacl
gallery Is heav festoonedy with American Tags
and the top cornlce is almost completely covered
with an immense national banner Halyard
ny from the center of the cornice of the nor,l
front to the coners of the building The cor
nsr gables are treated in a simpler manner h
give relief for the central massing of colors
FED aud blue flags square and triangular, hans
downward from each Of the galleries, AMI
email hags peep out here and there.
On the north or War department front the
great American banner on the central staff i.
nanAed on each corner Of the parapet by
smaller nag representing the four arms of tn,
corps.
The Navy department front is treated il
ABOUT the same manner. On the central gable
the flag staff IS surmounted by one of the lerg
est American flags obtainable. while from tbs
shoulder from which the time-ban drops eacl
DAY, are fastened four sets Of halyards, eacl
running TO corner of the balcony. The one
On the southeast corner contains four flags
Ieaclng In the language of buntipa:. sThe
President will arrive The unfn;s6ed san.
tence Is found IN the three flags on the north.
east haiyard. which reads: AT IL meridian y
mus giving information Of value TO such of the
enormous crowd In sight as may be versed in
this tongue. The four flags on the southwest
SIGNIFY: Salute the President" and four ON
The northwest: s.Cheerr' va
The clerks stand on the avenue. in front a,
e var department, Is almost hidden from
sa,h ~ american nags, and the lamp-posts are
THE REVIEWING STAND
The trimmings on the Presidents rev;exino
stand directly in front of the executive rnan.;o1
are decidedly beautiful The prevailing featur,
Is the seml-eircuiar flag form, lines of which
cover the framework of the gallery and m.
Toot almost completely. A great AmerieaI
nag noats from the central staff while halvard
1uli OF small steamers are festooned 10 m,
corners OF the stand Triangular banners hang
points downward, from the roof To tb,
lower gallery, concealing the posts
The Presidents reviewing box protrudes from
the line OF the stand a couple of feet and !;
oraped with national flag, overhead r. a sem;
circular American flag FORM at the center .
which IS a gilt horseshoe on a blue disc. SINAI
dags and shields give finish TO the effect
The smaller stand immediately to the wes
and the executive clerks private stand in In
northeast corner of the grounds are also hand
somely trimmed A-''o
The public grand-stand opposite is quit
pretty. The three upper balconies are wei
trimmed and present a rich appearance. Tn
Department of Justice is one of the mos
neatly trimmed buildings uptown. America,
flags draped gracefully downward half cove
the dark walls of the building, and little fiags
shields, pennants, and bits Of bright-colore
bunting AID IN giving a CHEEKY holiday air b
the otherwise sOmber structure Halyards A
from the flagstaff; the clerks stand to III
west Is almost concealed behind bunting artis
tically arranged.
ON FIFTEESrH STREET.
Fifteenth street is very gay. The Corcoral
building has q sober look, the only decoration
being on the ground floor. The main entranc
is Hastily drsped and most Of the store front
have bits OF color over their entrances an