Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-26
S X A T NC o N ! c E
The Warm Weather Did Not Interfere With
Pleasure in Convention Hall.
The Opening of the Ice Palace Last
Night Was n Brilliant Success-
A Large Attendance.

The hearts of the athletically inclined
boys ard girls of the city-and this term Is
used advisedly. because all who skate, ire
spective of age. are boys ard girls-are
glad once more. for the Ice Palace has
opened. and its opening brought with it all
the attendant pleasure of skating on hard,
firm ice. without the usual accompaniment
of fear about weak spots and air-holes.
The opening took place last night. and 1t
required but half an eye to see that the
skaters of the city had anxiousy been
awaiting the event. In order to accommo-
date the crowd, the ice was opened at
7:31 O'Clock. instead of 8 o'clock, as form
erly, and this gave the first-comers a good
chance to get started before the rush came.
When the rush did oome there was hardly.
room enough on the immense ice surface
to accommodate all who wished to try
their ability on the steel runners, and many
were turned away from the gate.
The crowd was the same characteristic
one that patronized the rink last season,
the only change being noticed in the diff
ference of costume While few essayed
the golf suit the short skirt last year,
last night the conventional long trousers
or the skirt that swept the ice were the ex-
ceptioas.
Several Improvements have been made
by Manager Dave Towers. The thousands
of red. white and blue incandescent lights
that stud the ceiling have been reinforced
by the addition CT three arc lights on each
girder. ard these give an illumination that
is fairly dazzling. The excellent orchestra
has been augmented, until 1t now consists
OF fourteen pieces. and the music played
last night was listened to with evident
pleasure by the many who came for the
purpose of merely watching the skaters
The corps of instructors. who are kindly
remembered from last season, and who
We're almost overlooked at first in their
natty new uniforms of black serge SUITS
with knee breeches, presented an extremely
neat appearance. They are twelve in num-
ber and started out by earning the good
will of a number who were on the ice for
the first time The orchestrion, which has
been placed at the far end of the hall for
the purpose sof supplying the music be-
tween the numbers given by the orchestra,
eo as TO provide continuous entertainment
OF that character, was not running last
night on account of the cylinders being de-
layed, be they will be here this afternoon,
and will be used tonight
The new method of smoothing and resur-
facing the ice, which was put in operation
for the first time last night proved to be a
great Improvement over the old. Last year
the tank was refooded after every session,
and this caused some uneven ridges to ap-
pear and at the same time caused the sur
race to be trif1e soft near the top.
Last nlght the ice was started to freezing
at the full capacity of the tank. and when
IL mad obtained sufficient density a new
planning machine, which Manager Towers
mas had constructed for the purpose, was
down until the hard, firm black ice UNDER
meath was reached. The skaters last night
Were quick TO notice the advantage of this
arrangement, and Manager Towers states
tnat "nere 1t has been tried in other cities
II has met with the most emphatic an
prevail and Endorsement
Another Improvement which will be very
generally approved by the wheeling fra
ternlty is the entrance which has been pro-
Sided for them especially. 1t Is the east
door on the l. street front. and wheelmen
may take their wheels into the vestibuie
from the street and have them checked
without carrying them upstairs as was
the case last year. Racks have been pro-
Vlded for the use of the wheels, and bows
VIII be on hand to keep them clean. Every
rack was taken last night and a good many
machines were without places Of support,
but the management will provide more
racks as soon as possible, and wheelmen
need have no fear of the accomm odat lions
at the rink for their silent steeds.
a plentiful supply of skates has been pro-
vided for the use of those vino do not own
fhe-r own steels, and room has been added
1or the putting away of coats and wraps
Extra accommodations have been provid-
ed for those who wish to leave their skates
at the rink, and altogether the arrange
ments for convenience and comfort and
the service which is rendered by the eff
Gent attendants about the hall NAV be said
to be nearly perfect.
TIC regular morning sessions for instruc-
ton were commenced this morning These
sessions the only ones at which a
charge is made for instruction, and the in
strucIorS at these hours take especial pains
with their scholars. putting them through
regular course of the art of plain skating
and later giving them few ideas in the
fancy steps If they 50 desire. The after
room sessions were also started today, the
ladies' exclusive hour for instruction pre-
ceiling the regular opening, and good
crow1s were in evidence both in the morn
Ing and afternoon. Three sessions will be
held every day and evening" and there is
every Indication that the Ice Palace in the
season of 1S96-'97 will eclipse it's record of
success for last season.