Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-28
THEIR. MAIL GROWING
Pythian Encampment Promises to Ex
coed all Expectations
Meeting of the Executive Committed
This Evening and Affairs to
BE Considered.

with a rush Of callers and a weight of mail.
The secretary and the postman told The
Star reporter that the mail was heavier to-
day than on any other day since the Ply
THAN boom set in. All manner of Ques-
lions were asked some of them pertinent
and others not. A majority of the letters
were postmarked Washington and contain
ed addresses at which visitors might be &C
commodated The exact figures cannot be
given, but it is believed that accommoda-
tions for at least one hundred thousand
strangers have already been registered, thus
proving the adaptability of Washington and
her power to digest an inundation of out
siders.
One of the principal Pythians told The
Star man this afternoon that the PROPOSE
ton to have the citizens of Washington
join hands with the order in making the ap-
preaching encampment and convention the
biggest in the history of Pythianism should
have been done at first, but it was not the
fault of the Pythians. In the early part of
the campaign they had invited the promi-
nent citizens to assemble at Wizards Ho-
tel, but for various reasons the response
had not been over enthusiastic. Coming, as
1t did, SO closely upon the Grand Army en-
campment and the Inauguration and other
great celebrations. those citizens who had
borne the burden Of the day felt weary and
somewhat loath to engage in similar I'M
dertakings. Then. again, the Pythian
knighthood was with the laity an unknown
quantity, and II was hard to impress upon
them the magnitude Of the situation.
The knights of Pythies had never been
extensively advertised and Washington " as
not their stronghold. In fact. the Pythian
representation In Washington was less, per-
haps. than in any other American city Of
equal size. and less than 1t was in many
smaller cities. The men who usually con-
troll In these big enterprises did not know
anything of the power. strength and might
OF the organization which is to invade
Washington. Hence. the number of citizens,
not members of the order, who turried out
a. me meeting indicated was very small.
ana they showed no marked fervor. The
knights then took hold of the handle alone
and have pushed the preparations for the
celebration so far and so well that 1t prom
Uses 10 De one OF the heaviest invasons of
washington by visitors in the annals Of the
city The same sir knight who told The
Star man this thought that, perhaps sew
eral members of the executive committee
mass meeting for the purpose of enlisting
the aid and sympathies of the town, be-
cause, in measure, this had been with
held at nrst, but he thought that this was
uhsound policy, and that a majority of me
committee would also take this viex Of N
ne matter Will be debated at the meeti1-
OF the executive committee which IL 10 he
nelo tonight at the Pythian headquart ars in
.he warner building. Much will depend
upon the issue. The outlook at present Is
tnat the celebration will exceed the estima tie
MADE in the youth Of the campaisn nv the
iii Wt ardent Jealous and sanguine prophet
when MI Motley Anderson, chairman of
the committee on camp and camp grounds.
STATED at one of the primary meetings that
ne NE thought probably that the attraction of
w ashington and Pythianism combined might
induce 100000 people to come TO this CITY
there was a disposition on the part of the
other committeeman either to hit him with
an INK jar or investigate his sanity But
several OF the committeeman now give Mr.
ANDERSON credit for frst-class guesswork
Railroad Rates.
In reference to railroad rates there was a
satisfactory interview this morning between
MI Parke of the Pennsylvania and Mr.
Percy G.. Smith, secretary of the executive
committee. Mr.. Parke suggested that the
Trunk Line Association at New York. the
Central Traffic Association of Chicago. the
western Passenger Association Of Chicago.
the southern Passenger Association of At
lanta and the Eastern Passenger Associa-
ton be communicated with at once with a
view OF having them name and publish the
rythian rates as soon as possible. Mr.. Parke
spoke hopefully of the prospects for big
time and felt sure that the roads would lend
all the aid they could II no other reason
than seif-interest. The vention and en-
luridly advertised throI ut the country
and the crowds would how. Mr.. Parke Is
to have an interview this afternoon with
Gen. John E. Smith, secretary of the trans
ter over this evening with Mr.. G. w. Heis-
ley, chairman OF the same committee.
TOnighfs Meeting.
At the meeting Of the executive commit
tee which will be held tonight and which
will be called to order by Mr.. Richard
Goodhart, the chairman. reports will be
feard from all the subcommittee. The
question of a citizens mass meeting will
also be discussed and finances will be talk
ed. Mr.. W. II. Mockbee, chairman of the
committee on horses and carriages will re-
port that the indications are thus far that
they will need not less than 600 horses,
and these figures are bound to grow. These
horses have been contracted for, and will
be furnished from this city. All the Sir
Knights will bring their saddle cloths and
a large majority Of them will bring the
saddles and brides. In addition to the
mounted divisions. the staff of Gen. Carna-
han, a very large one. will also be mounted
on Washington steeds. Carriages will be
provided for the Grand Lodge and guests,
and there is sure to be a great display in
this part of the procession.
One of the main things of interest to be
talked about this evening will be the ques-
ton of finance Great celebrations cannot
be carried on without money, and IL is I'M
derstood that the committee wants some.
Those canvassers who are now out report
that the people are waking up and respond
ing In an improved way.
A