The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-08

Preparations for the Fourth OF July
system that promises the best results.
The various subcommittee are perfectly
organized, and the members show an in
terest in keeping with the importance of
the demonstration for which they are ar
ranging.
Each day in the headquarters at the Col
man building the finance committee meets
at noon. and during the afternoon other
committees have possession of the rooms.
The committee ON the sham battle and
military arrangements is in session every
day. as is also the committee on fire
works
The preliminary work is being carried
on as smoothly and in as orderly man
ner as the business of i commercial conf
pany.
The choice of a location for the mag
niicent display of fireworks proposed is
being debated now by the committee hav-
ing that part of the programme in charge.
It has been decided that il is undesirable
if not impossible, 10 have the display
from floats III the Sound. One reason Is
that some of the huge display pieces re-
quirc a firm base. and the swaying OF the
waves would impair the effect. Another
and more important argument is
that some OF the wharves along
the water front are not strong
enough to support the multitudes
that would gather TO witness the spectacle.
and might be responsible for an accident
which would turn the occasion of festivity
into a season of mourning.
Since the bay cannot be considered avail
able for the display. the committee finds
itself facing an important consideration in
the selection of another spot that would
offer some of the advantages without the
drawbacks of the water front. IL must be
a place removed from the danger of fire.
with plenty of space and sufficiently open
TO give the public opportunity TO see.
The tide flats. the valley between Y.
N. C. A. park and Madison street. and
the Denny hotel have so far been spoken
of as suitable.
In order to aid the committee the col
umns of the Post-Inteiligencer will he
thrown open TO any one having a sugges-
ton to offer and correspondence on the
subject is invited.
A petition was prepared by the finance
committee yesterday asking the co-opera-
ton of the city council in illuminating,
decorating and street cleaning.
Following is the text OF the petition
formulated by the finance committee for
submission to the. city council:
1.-The undersigned. finance committee for
the celebration of the Fourth of July. 1897
respectfully submit the following state
mem and petition. to-wt
THE citizens of Seattle are now prepar-
ing for and contributing large sums of
money for the appropriate celebration of
our national holiday in this year. In our
judgment the proposed celebration will be
not only a patriotic and worthy cause. bat
will result IN great incidental benefit TO the
business interests of the city. We there
fore beg and request that your honorable
body make a reasonable appropriation by
which the city may cooperate with the
citizens in this plan by such cleaning, dec
Grating and Illuminating OF the streets and
by such other provision as may be reason
able TO be executed under the direction of
the proper departments. We beg 10 sug-
gesi that. in our judgment the sum of
81 osa would he reasonable amount 10 be
expended by the city for said purposes
Ex-Mayor Phelps started out yesterday
as a collector. The large stores have been
covered but there remains TO be seen the
many professional men and others occupy
ing Offices above the ground floor. The
local transportation companies Will not he
called upon until ii Is decided where the
various events are 20 be held.