The morning times., 1896-07-02
PITCHING THE BIC TENTS
"Tent Endeayor" Is in Position
on the White Lot.
FOR THE c.E. CONVENTION
Tent Williston" VIII Be Raised THIS
Morning and "Tent Washington"
This sAfternoOn-TheM Ma M mot h Can
vas Auditorinnis VIII He Lighted
by Thousands of Electric Lights.

| Tent Endeavor," one of the three
| monster canvas auditoriums which will
| compose the white city Of the Christial
| EnGeavorers, was raised on the White
Lot yesterday afternoon amid the cheers
ana shouts or an Immense crowd which had
| gathered to witness the raising.
The tent is lated in the northeast cor
ner, and the work, which was done by
James Martin & Son, OF Boston, Mass, was
| overlooked by Mr.. ". II. II. Smith, chair
man of the go Com mittee.
TENT williston'' is all ready for the
raising" whit h will probably take place
this morning at about 10 O'Clock. Tho
last OF the great tents, Washington
will probably not be raised until tomorrow
afternoon, when the city will be COM
pleted.
the city will consist of three NAM
moth tents, measuring 26O feet by 1So
feet, and two lesser ones, 80 feet by 10
feet, and 40 feet by 100 feet, respectively.
The large tents are the largest canvas
h ouses in America a nd have seating
accommodations for over $4,000 people.
Two OF the large tents, Tent Endeavor and
Tent Williston, were used at the c. E.
convention in Roston. while the third,
Tent Washington is brand new and is
now being used for the first time.
EACH SIDE OF THE MERIDIAN.
The three large tents will occupy the
angles of a tequilateraltrianglew whose
sides measure 400 feet, and have been
located with refe renee to the Tooth
meridian, which passes through the White
Lot ellipse. Two Of the tents. Endeavor
and williston, are north, and Tent Wash
ington south OF the meridian, and few
hundred feet northwest of the monument.
1t Is hardly possible to get a correct
idea OF the immense proportions OF these
monster canvas structures. except by
actual observation. To state IL takes
thousands OF yards Of canvas, tons OF
rope. varying in size from one-quarter
of an inch TO three inches in diameter, and
hundreds OF poles. both long and short. TO
complete even one or these tents, would
give but a vague idea of their size and ap-
pearance. Each OF the three large tents is
supported in the center by three poles, fifty
six feet IN length. AT short distances from
the center, toward the circumference, there
are twelve poles, forty feet in heghth, and
still nearer the outer edge of the canvas
roof, are twenty quarter poles, each
thirty feet higl, and at the circumference
the roof is supported by hundred poles,
twelve feet in heighth. The canvas GOV.
ering is estimated at between 10000 and
IL 900 yards and the weight of the roping
a. over a ton.
HUNDREDS OF ARC LIGHTS.
The lighting of the tents and the grounds
is also a matter OF moment. The arrange
ments for the Lighting is in charge of Mr..
L. ID. Bliss, the work being done by the
students OF the Bliss School of Electricity,
and will be one of the features of the
convention. The tents and the grounds
will be almost a NET of wire work There
will he over 10000 feet OF electric wire.
$4,000 feet of telephone wire. and nearly
5000 feet OF wires for signaling
Each of the large tents will be lighted
10y 100 arc lights, besides hundreds Of
ucaDdescents.
Over the Top of each tent three flags
will be raised, the United States and
Christian Endeavor flags. and another bear
ing the maine OF the tent. Below the flags
will be hung three arc lights, in red.
white and blue. And over the platform
in each tent will be hung an arc light i n
red.
The other two tents, which will look
very small. in comparison with the others,
will be a lunch tent and q tent for the
accommodation and safe-keeping of bicy-
cles.
The headquarters of the committee OF
sc, which will be located in The Washing
ton Light Infantry Armory, will be con-
nected with all the large tents by teie
phone. so that there will lie the quickest
possible communication between all the
tents and headquarters.
The platforms in the large tents will
have u seating capacity OF over 400, and
it is expected that every seat will be
filled by the choruses.