Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-16
DECORATING THE STREETS.
How They VIII BE Ornamented During the
q. A. y. Encampment.


How They win BE ornamensed During the
@. A. y. Encampment.
THE BROAD SWEEP OF PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
NOT TO BE ISrERFEREp wIrH-A MASSIVE rRI-
UMPHAL ARCH OPPOSITE THE NORTH FRONT OF
THE TREAsURY-No DOUBLE LINE OF MARCH.
The rather difficult problem Of the proper
method of decorating the streets of this city
has been solved by the committee on decora-
uon in way that Chairman Edison thinks will
be very satisfactory. The plans have been
practically completed and will result in q more
general decoration than was ever attempted be-
fore.
1t is expected, Of course. that during the
encampment week the business places and
houses along Pennsylvania avenue and other
streets in the business section Of the city
will be decorated by private individuals.
This has always been done on great occasions
here and 1t Is expected that the welcome to the
veterans on the part Of the citizens will be in
part expressed by q lavish display of decoration
on the buildings
THE DECORATION COMMITTEES WORK.
The committee on decoration, of which Mr..
Louis ID. Wine il chairman Is making a canvass
OF the city for the purpose Of urging the citi-
zens to do their duty in this respect The COM
mlttee also proposes to do its share. but in
devising a plan which could be carried out
by the committee, care has been tnken to pre-
serve the splendid sweep Of Pennsylvania ave-
nue. free from any encumbrances obstruc-
tion. There will be no banners or arches
to interfere with the view from the
Capitol to the Treasury. But across each Of
the lntersecting streets from the Capitol to
Washington Circle will be sustained by wires the
shields OF the various states, surrounded by flags
30 tnat as the veterans march up the avenue
and glance up and down the interesting
streets they will look upon bit Of
decoration, which it is thought will be
very effective. There are forty-four
states, and there are twenty-five of these cross
streets, SO that each side of the avenue all the
played.
TRIUMPHAL ARCH.
The most notable feature Of the decoration as
devised by the committee, or rather by the Sec
rotary Of the committee, Mr.. 8. II. Bodfish, is a
splendid arch, which will span the avenue in
front Of the Department Of Justice and the
treasury Department. As the line of veterans
swings out Of 18th street into Pennsylvania
avenue again and before passing before the
presidential reviewing stand they will pass
under this arch. The structure will
70 Put0 Wulto anu Will rise 10 q helgnt
OF some ninety-fve feet. 1t will span
the avenue from curb to curb, a width at that
point Of some eighty-fve feet The span Of the
arch will be some fifty feet and the height about
the same. The design, which was made b. Mr.
5: d. Bodash, is simple but effective.
The style il Of the classic order
the pilasters on each side being finished
with Corinthian capitals. Upon the square
top and at each end will be placed
figures twelve feet high, one representing n
soldier of 1865 and the other G. A. veteran
OF 1892. These dates are below. On the other
slde viii be figure representing sailor and
ms civilian counterpart OF today. In the mid
die portion will be a coat of arms of the United
States surrounded by flags. The figures as
well as the coat Of arms will be in white, in har-
fnony with the rest of the structure which will be
built Of wood and galvanized iron and painted
to represent white marble. In the pediment of
the arch will be the words, "Grand Army of
the Republic" and below the motto ''Fratern-
ity, Charity ard LOYALTY" The structure will
be built substantially and will be quite diff
ferent from the gaudy affairs, which
are sometimes seen on such occasions. There
VIII be no colored bunting or streamers used
In connection with this arch 1t will be plain
and simple and at the same time dignifed.
THE GRAND PARADE.
All day yesterday Gen. Pnisterer Of Albany,
the adju.ant general Of the G. A. R. ard the
Palmer. was in conference with Chair
man Edison and Gen. Spear, the
chairman Of the committee on review
and parade. The adiutant general had
come on here from Albany at the request of
Gen. Palmer to talk over the parade and espe-
cially the plan Of Gen. Palmer to march the
veterans in double columns. Gen. Palmer's
purpose in proposing this novel change from
the ordinary method of conducting parades
was to shorten as much as possible the time TO
be occupied by the parade.
1t is expected that there will be some GO. 900
men in line and, with broad files in single col
umns. it will require. it is estimated, about
seven hours for the entire body to pass given
point. Gen. Palmer wanted to shorten the time
by half The individual fatigue to the veterans
would be the same whether the column was
single or double. and this has been reduced to
minimum by limiting the line of march TO
two miles and by the arrangement of the com
mittee 40 that each department will be notified
OF the time when it will be expected TO fell into
line, thus doing away with the necessity of
Sending in line for several hours.
THE DOUBLE COLUMN NOT PRACTICAL
The practical difficulties in the way of adopt
ing the double column plan was fully discussed
with Gen. Phisterer, and he reached the con-
clu'ion that the plan was not practica and will
so report TO Gen. Palmer. He left last evening
and will be in Albany today. In general
WdV IL may ne stlu tnat the double column plan
of handling men has never been practically
tested. To adopt the plan for the e. A. II.
parade would be in the nature of an expert
ment, and it is felt that it would be rather
risky to attempt an experiment with line of
men numbering some $4,000.
Instead of an orderly line the avenue would
be filed with a mob of men, in the opinion of
military experts. In wheeling around corners
one line would fail behind the other and
then the bands with the various organiza-
tons would be apt to increase the confusion.
Altogether the double column plan does
not seem to meet with much favor by the mill
tary. 1t is expected that something definite
will be heard from Gen. Palmer in the course
Of a few days and then the committee will pro-
coed with The arrangements.
WAR GOVERNORS TO BE INVITED,
Chairman Edison is having a list prepared OF
all the war governors now living and he intends
to send them special invitations to be present.
1t is thought that there are now only six or
seven still living, and of this number the names
Of Gov. Curtin of Pennsylvania, Gov. Kirk
wood Of Iowa and Gov. Blair of Michigan will
readily be recalled.
The books of the committee on accommoda-
tons show an abundant supply of rooms which
visitors to the city during encampmeut week
can secure. The committee is gratified
that the prices asked are reason
able, and there is no yheasi-
ness felt about accommodating all who