The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-13
FUN FOR MASONS
Pittsburg Denies That Knights
Templar COnelave
Will Lack Elaborate Features
Of the Past.
90 Nj N II NH II no NJ q IN W
COMMITTEES ANGRY.
Because Jealous Cities Have
Started Reports
That There Will Be Only a
Business Session.

Pittsburgh July 13.-An endless amount
of trouble is being made for the execu-
tive committee of arrangements for the
coming Knights Templar Conclave by
the continued wide-spreading rumors
that all is not going well here for the
proper entertainment of visitors on that
occasion. The committee is having a
hard time of it to dispel the ideas crea-
ted by these rumors. Most sensational
reports have been circulated. They are
malicious and hbelous to the city of
Plttsburg, say members of the local
committee.
1t was over two months ago that the
present war, then beginning caused
some concern as to the complete fulfill
ment of the various arrangements the
committee had proposed. However, this
fear was soon dispelled, but not until
reports had gained circulation that only
a formal business session would mark
the 9th triennial cOnclaVe of the grand
encampment. These reports went
broadcast over the country, and the
committee sent out an endless number
of denials in the form of circular let
tiers and printed reports. But still the
flood of inquiries continued, and unless
the effect of these reports is removed
it will have some damaging result
information of one of the more ser
lOuS OF these reports reached the COM
mlttee yesterday. It was serious libel
on this city, as it reflected on the city's
ability to care for large gatherings.
Word was received from a command
cry of Rochester, N. Y asking if if
was true that the entertainment fea-
lures of the cOnclave had been declared
off The letter stated that an outsider
has visited the cOmmandery on the
night of a meeting and said that such
was the case; that the reason was that
Pittsburg had not sufficient hotel ac-
cOmmOdatiOns to properly care for the
q IrT7fc
liens generally had recognized the
citys inability to handle the cOnclave
ana that the streets were too narrow
ana otherwise unfit for the great pa
rade.
This report aroused strong indigna-
ton among the members of the commit
tee, and a most emphatic denial of the
statement was hurried to Rochester
The committeeman say that these re-
ports seem to be malicious and that
they are likely circulated by people
who wish to do Pittsburg injury. It
was given out that there is not the
slightest doubt the original elaborate
plans. even to the most minute details
viii be carried out. The war will not
have the slightest effect as regards the
matter Of making the conclave one of
the greatest, if not the grea test, in the
history of the Grand Commandery.
The committee has let contract to
the Chasmar-WincheIl Press. of New
York, for 10000 souvenir books The
souvenir will be the most handsome
ever got out at any cOnclave. 1t will
contain 176 pages, and be 3-14x91s
inches in size. There will be no adver-
tsements in the book. The first fea-
ture of the contents will be historical
article of Pittsburg and vicinity bv G.
F. Mueller. This article will be iIlustra-
ted by 20 views of local places of inter
est.
Another important feature of the
book will be a history of the Grand
COmmandery from the time of its or
igin, the first time printed With this
article will be half-tOne cuts of all Past
Grand Commanders living and several
leading members of the Pennsylvania
Grand Commandery.
The entertainment committee met
yesterday and a communication was
read from Commodore Charles A Paint
he said that organization will arrange
for an Illuminated demonstration on the
river on one of the nights of the con-
clave.
An arrangement was made with Can
tain John F. Klein to furnish five ex-
cursion boats to ply the local waters at
regular intervals between all points of
interest during the entire time of the
visitors stay Music and lunch will be
on these boats.
Another important arrangement was
made with the various traction lines
the Consolidated, the United and the
Birmingham companies. They all sub
the lines for trolley parties and it was
further arranged that these parties can
go from any point on any of the lines
to any desired point on any of the 9th
er lines. 1t is the purpose of the COM
mittee to have many trolley parties, es-
pecially for the visiting ladies.
NAV,