Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-09

last fall the entertainment COMMITTEES
learned which Of the hotels would engage
to receive delegates and upon what con-
already been spoken for, ard II any state
attempts to secure convenient hotel accom-
modations at this late date, the excursion
manager who succeeds in his mission will
be entitled to the sincere gratitude of the
entire state delegation.
How 1t is Done.
In the event that states do not care to
engage hotel headquarters-and by far the
larger number Of visitors will be housed in
the private resider ces of the city-it is not
essential that the transportation manager
visit the city before convention time. He
can Zevote himself entirely to creating an
interest In the convention among the So
cietfes In his jurisdiction and in arranging
with the railroads for rates and facilities
for the trip. Meetings are held throughout
the state, at which popular speakers are
engaged to speak. Washington flags and
colors are used in the decora tions the in
formation about the city and the plans
for the convention sent out in the press
bulletins by the SO press committee is
spread abroad and individuals are urged
to arrange to attend.
At some of the most important of the
washington '96 rallies as they are term
ed, members of the committee Of 90 have
been invited to address the meetings, and
III Few cases, where their engagements
nave teen such as to permit, they have
gladly availed themselves of the oppor-
tunity. Their duties in connection with
the local arrangements are so continuing,
however, that it is not often any of them
can be spared, even for so laudabl, a pur-
pose as that of telling 10 fellow E;ndcav-
orers what is in store for them when they
visit the convention, and the committee is
forced to content itself with disse.ninat-
ing such information through the medium
or press bulletins and Information leaflets
Transportation managers in many in
stances are making arrangements to have
the actual travelling experiences of the
excursionlsts IN their charge as attractive
as possible. Several delegations are to
stop over at Niagara Falls for a brief
season. those coming from the southwest
WIN see that the trains are run through
me picturesque scenery of the Blue Ridge
and Shenandoah valley during the daylight
hours. In most instances the trains will
De spe c1al ones, entirely given up to the
uses or the delegates. These train Jour-
n ne are sometimes among the most pleas
ant OF the experiences of those who at
tehd the conventions. Everybody soon be-
comes acquainted, Christian Endaayor
hymns are heartily sung. social commit
ments provided, while another commjttee
arranges for genuine Endeavor prayer
meetings.
railroad Prayer Meetings.
"hen the delegation is not sufficiently
numerous TO engage a special train a Special
car 1or the delegates use will be attached
10 the regular trains. The same spirit of
earnestnesS characteriZes the smaller BODY
OF excursionists. and cases are on record
where persons have been influenced TO COLI
version through the prayer mes t;ngs held
y, Mneh en- route to convention. The story
Is tolu OF one man who was invited into the
rear car FOR the purpose, as he mist akenIy
supposed, of engaging in poker game. a
nouy OF delegates to one of the annual Chris
Al trnr
noloins prayer service, and tie man was
SO impressed with the earnestness of tho
speakers and the sincerity Of their utter
ahces that he was led to make complete
cnanse IN his manner of life.
Ihere was recently held in Rosto, tho
seventh annual banquet of the Royal Legon
an organization of young men in New Eng
lanu VINO nave been attendants at some one
or the Christian Endeavor conventions Tho
ashfngton flag. in colors was beautifully
printed on the front cover of the menu card
and the catch-phrase, .'On to Washington
Originated by the chairman of the Io.,l
press committee, and used to head the sec
ond press bulletin sent out over the conn
try, and since adopted. by excursion man
ayers and others for use In information cir
culars-was placed at the ton of the toast
list. Eminent speakers RESPONDED to the
toasts which included the following: Call
i9r volunteers. The Chaplain's Advice"
Ian. Ian OF March. "A Veterans Advice"
WORE The last two were spoken to bv
secretary of War John Willis Baer and
PRESIDENT Francis E. Clark of the United
society: The greatest enthusiasm was mani
I Ma IN the preparations for attending the
Washington convention
whether by means of banquets, illustrated
lectures. addresses or Information circulars.
there ts quickly spreading throughout this
broad country detailed information n re-
gard to the plans for the July meeting
which Is surely rpening into earnest desire
10 be present. Thousands have already fully
determined to come; tens Of thousands of
others will certainly follow in their foot
steps.