Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-13
THE SUNDAY OPENING QUESTION.

THE SUNDAY OPENING QUESTION.
Fears of Conflict Between National Com
mission and Exposition Directory.
WORLDS FAIR GROUNDS, CHICAGO, May 49,
Members Of the national commission were at
jackson Park this morning earlier than usual
on account of the radical move taken
yesterday by the exposition directors in
regard to the opening of the gates on Sunday.
The committee have thoroughly understood
the sentiment OF the directors on the
a long time, have suspected that
the local authorities would take the action
they did yesterday. General opinion, however,
among the commissioners that the vexa-
tlous question, which is dividing the people OF
the United States. would be allowed to slumber
until next session OF the commission.
That body voted yesterday to take a recess
until May 81 after adjournment today, but
the gentlemen who are here to carry out the
will OF Congress are considerably exercised
over what they term the defiant attitude Of the
Chicago directory, and there is q disposition
among the commissioners to continue in ses-
sion, without quorum, so as TO deal with the
Sunday opening question.
The more impulsive commissioners, who
have been at loggerheads with the church au-
thorities since the national body frst
met, threaten to obliterate the Sunday
opening resolution, but the legal advisers Of
the local management are unanimously
Of the opinion that the law Of Congress gives
the national commission the right to modify
such rules as emanate from the directory, but
neither 10 create new rules nor obliterate those
adopted by the directory and submitted to the
commission for modification or approval
On that Issue the line OF battle viii be drawn,
but, as there is not likely TO be q quorum OF
the commission present today. the validity Of
any action taken may be questioned
CROWDS ENTER THE GATES.
Although the rain has softened the roadways
and the clouds hung over the white city today,
threatening another wet day the force of men
in the Offices and at the turnstiles were kept busy
this morning with the crowds which came early
intending, no doubt, to put in dsy and night
Of it, seeing the general electrical illumination,
which is on the program for tonight. Electri-
clans and other workmen were 10 be seen today
in the big buildings and outside on the roof
seeing that the lighting apparatus was in work
ing order.
Visitors today, in glancing up at the acres Of
roof on the liberal arts building. noticed two
search lights at the northern corners One Of
them is the largest ever built. Its mirror is
five feet in circumference. and the light which
will fash from il tonight will equal in brilliapcy
1000. 900 candle power.
The other search light is smaller. and il is er-
pected both viii be ready for the illumination
| tonight The citizens OF Milwaukee will
be able to see the rays Of the big light
without any trouble. Every part Of the
great park and the buildings are 70 be batbed
in electric fame and all the lights are to be in
operation tonight, according to the program
mapped out.
IMITATION OF men AT WORK.
An amusing but by no means new attraction
is the spectacle Of the exposition workmen
making pretense Of earning their wages.
Those who are employed on the
roadways are entitled to the first
prize for killing time. All seem
bent on making their jobs last through
the summer. 30 that they can have the honor
Of putting the finishing touches TO the roads
the day before the work Of demolition begins
One of the prettiest sights in the park Is TO
zee two laborers on the same Job: both have q
! shovel, and they so disguise themselves as real
workmen. They take some gravel and care
fully Law il down near some timber The
latter lifts the shovelful Of dirt and gently
passes il back
The shuttlecock movement Of the muscles
tends TO keep their blood in circulation and
wards of paralysis Of the verebra, but it 10
delaying the completion Of the fair.
SCHOOL CHILDREN On THE aRoUSpa
Crowds Of school children out for an object
lesson, chaperoned by teachers, were in the
grounds early and soon many Of the great build
ings rang with their shouts. At every object
the teacnere matted ana exemplIneo the
resource or product OF ingenuity displayed
The little ones evinced great interest and asked
thousands Of questions. noisily commanding
their preceptor 10 hurry up.
The Saturday holiday in the schools always
brings a large crowd 20 the fair and .'Chil-
dren's day" promises to be popular until the
close of the fair puts an end to the impressive
schooling.
QUICK WORK OF THE FIREMES.
The fire underwriters Of Chicago came down
this morning. and, although their stay was
short, they succeeded in creating more excite
ment in the grounds than has been had since
the fair opened and thoroughly mixed up the
now famous Columbian Guards. who endesv-
ored TO keep a moderate-sized crowd in order.
The underwriters wanted 70 what the fire
department worth. and an alarm was
turned in at the fire stations and guard
houses from the east front of the
manufacturer building. The fire de-
partment's apparatus arrived on the
scene in quick time. and the efficiency Of the
firemen was easily demonstrated to the salts
faction of the gentlemen who do business down
on La Sale street Streams of water were
thrown high IN the air, and the crowd APP
plauded the creditable performance Of the ex-
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