Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-30
The Way the District Regiment Will
Be Welcomed.
MEETING OF GENERAL COMMITTEE
Major Sykester's WeIl-Arranged
Program Adopted.
S O NE SUG g E STIO Ms

Major Richard Sylvester's excellent plans
for the reception of the LIST Regimen. of
District Volunteers on their arrival in
Washington from Montauk Point as out
lined in The Star yesterday, were pre-
scented to a meeting of the. committee
of arrangements last night at the Eb-
bitt House and enthusiastically approx
ed and ratified. The meeting was pre-
sided over by Major Sylvester its chair
man, and was a gathering OF representa-
tive business and professional men, while
the government was in evidence in the per-
| sons of two high officers of the army and
marine corps and several prominent de-
partment officials. The work of preparing
for the reception was most auspiciously
launched. .--.-
As adopted the plans provide for the dis
en1balking of the returning soldiery at Sd
street and Virginia avenue southwest, a
march up Sd street to Pennsylvania avenue
street and Pennsylvania avenue 10 the
White House, where the Presidents stand
will be erected. After the officers ana men
have been presented with flowers and med
ais made from a remnant of the Maine the
regiment will march down Executive ave-
nue., between the White House and the
State, War and Navy building and into the
White House grounds south of the roadway
served from fair hands, and where they will
see for the first time their parents and
other near relatives. Admission to the
White House grounds will be by card only
and will be limited to the soldiers immedi-
ate families.
There was full attendance of the COM
mittee when District Commiss oner John W.
Ross, chairman of the citizens com,nIf-
tee, called the meeting to order and intro
duced to the committeeman their chairman
Major Sylvester. The major was greeted
with enthusiastic applause In assuming
the chair he thanked Mr.. Ross very much
for the honor conferred in naming him as
chairman of the important committee and
declared that the work of preparing re-
ception to the District soldiers in some
measure BETTING the honor thev have
brought to this city by their gallant service
In pest-ridden Santiago would be a labor of
love with him, and he believed that every
otner member of the committee felt the
same way about the matter
Major Sylvester announced the selection
or Mr.. T. Frederick Alvey as secretary of
the committee, and said that treasurer
must be selected Mr.. William Dickson
nominated Mr.. Emil G. Schaeffer. who was
unanimously elected. Mr.. Schaeffer later
resigned, however, as ii was the wish to
AVOID any red tape in the movement and,
therefore deemed advisable that Mr.. John
Joy Edson, chairman of the finance COM
mittee, should handle all the funds con-
nected with the reception to the soldiers
and their relief.
from
James E. Bell of the committee recently
sent to Montauk. saying that the condi-
tlon of the District boys at present is sat
isfactory, and that all their immediate
wants have been supplied.
Major SyIvester's Plan.
Major Sylvester then briefly told of his
scheme for the reception After recitinp
the events leading up to the formation of
the committee of arrangements, he said
that in evolving a mode of procedure for
the reception of the boys on their arrival
1t mad occurred to him that it would be
well to avoid the old-time practice Of re-
ce1v1ng within the narrow space in the
vicinity of the depot at 9th and B streets
northwest those who are returning to us
"nere the eScortlng commands, civic or
CARNATIONS, the police detailed to main
tain public order and the tired and worm
out subjects Of honor would cause a con-
geStion at once disagreeahle and difficult
TO handle
Facilities exist for the discriminating of
the regiment at Sd street and Virginia
avenue southwest. Third street is wide,
well paved and easily cleaned affording
an unobstructed and clear marching
ground to Pennsylvania avenue There
means will be found for resting the vari-
Gus organizations which will participate
In receiving the returning soldiers and the
line of march could easily be taken up to
PENNSYLVANIA avenue From there the line
OF march to 10th street up 18th street to
pennsylvania avenue and westward would
AFFORD citizens on the streets and those
occupying the business houses hotels and
restaurants along the route a fine view
or the returning heroes and those doing
them honor. as well as giving an oppor-
tunlty to decorate in a BETTING manner
the premises along the line of march
Continuing, Major Sylvester said that
from 10Th TO 18th streets, which includes
the front OF the Executive Mansion ample
space could be found for resting the civic
organizations in the rear, the military to
the front. the regiment of honor to be in
position directly beneath the reviewing
stand to be temporarily erected in front of
the White House grounds from which
stand a carpeted way could lead to the en-
trance to the mansion. Over this walk the
commander-in-chief of the army and navy
of the United States, accompanied by his
cabinet officers and invited friends, could
proceed to the stand and face the regiment
OF honor. 1t Is proposed that the officers of
the several companies composing the COM
mand shall be at the right and to the front
OF the respective companies, the colonel
commanding ana his staff to be in the fore
ground. The President would have an sx-
cellent opportunity to address them as he
might be disposed, after which he could re-
ceVe from this committee package con-
tanning badges for the entire regiment, he
in turn to present the badges, done up in
separate packages for each company to the
colonel commanding, who could deliver each
company's allotment to the captain COM
mandng.
In conjunction with this program provis-
ION Will be made at the right and left of the
reviewing stand for a chorus of school
girls attired in white, who, after or during
the rendition of appropriate music, could
step to the front and circle the officers with
floral wreaths and present to each man in
the regiment floral tribute the Marine
band In the meantime playing appropriate
music.
This ceremony over said the chairman,
the regiment could be marched down the
avenue between the Executive Mansion and
the war Department to the west gate of
the Executive Mansion grounds, there to
enter and partake of refreshments from ia
pies placed south of the road, this latter
feature to be preceded by prayer from the
chaplain of the command. Within this in
closure would be admitted the relatives and
friends OF the guests of the District.
In addition to the foregoing. would sug-
gsst that the grounds be canoped and that
to the north grand stand be occupied by
the Marine Band; that a proper restrum be
erected for such reception arrangements as
1t may be deemed advisable to prepare. The
committee on program might arrange for
the same TO be interluded with proper ma
tlonal airs by the chorus under competent