The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-28
$500 FOR A SEAT
Knights Templar Ball Specta-
tors Are PIutOcratic.
Pittsburg's Elaborate Plans
For the COnclaVe.S
MILLIONS OF LIGHTS
Will illuminate the Buildings
and Streets.
100000 People Expected For
the Big Parade.
MILLIONS OF LIGHTS

Pittsburg, Pa, Sept. Zs-There will be
many unique features distinctive of
Pittsburg at the trienniaI conclave
Knights Templars, in this city October
10 to II. Tancred commandery will
present to every visiting knight a large
earthenware loving cup for use at
banquets, etc. In addition to being use
ful the cups will make pretty orna-
ments. On the inside of each will be
burned the history Of the loving cup,
which is now generally known Thou
sands of the cups have been made.
Another distinctive product Of Pitts
DurS IS the SIOgle. Orders have been
given for the manufacture Of SOC, 900 of
these, and they Will be put up in fancy
covered punches Of four. The pack
ages will be left at the various COM
mandery headquarters for distribution.
Tin plate manufacturers are also work
ing on large knight Templar badges
Of tin plate, which will be distributed
as souvenirs.
Allegheny commandery has arranged
to spend 1000 a day in dispensing sam
pies Of Pittsburg hospitality. AscaIon
commandery has rented the Elks' hall
and club house for the week. and will
keep open house On the stage in the
hall continuous musical and vaude-
Vile entertainment will be given the
entire week Of the cOnclave. Many high
class attractions have been engaged for
this theater.
As Pittsburg is the home Of electricity
the electrical exhibition, it is claimed,
viii be the greatest ever seen in the
world. rOminent electricians from all
parts of the country are in Pittsburg
now working out designs Every public
and private lighting plant has been
called on for power. and every old dy-
namO in the vicinity has been over
hauled and made ready for use. The
orders for electrical power have SO
greatly exceeded the possible supply
that many business firms, clubs. etc,
have been forced to drop or cut their
plans.
The greatest electrical exhibition will
be made in Fifth avenue On this main
thOroughfare the Masonic temple
stands. In the inches along the top of
the building will be placed the figures
of four knights in armOr and on horse
back They viii be eight feet tall. By
arrangements Of lights inside the fiery
cross on the breastplates they will be
plainly visible at night By an alter
mating system of using the lights the
chargers on which the knights will be
mounted will be given the appearance
of moving, their riders saluting, etc
on the sills OF the third-story windows
viii be enormous American eagles,
worked IN gold, with Outstretched
wings. Clutched in the talOns viii be
festOons OF the American flag.
The front of the building proper will
be combination of relief work in gold,
draped with electrical effects. The ex-
terror decorative piece will cover the
entire front OF the temple, standing out
rangement OF 500 electric lights behind.
The Fifth avenue front Of one Office
building will be covered with 10000 red,
white and blue lamps in the shape Of
an American flag The alternating sys-
tenn Of lighting will be used, and this
viii give the flag a waving appearance.
1t viii be the largest electric flag ever
made. One prominent electric company
IS laying a special cable from its works
to its city office building and will have
a display of from 5000 to 20, 900 lights.
While the hotel accommodations have
not all been taken, the railroad COM
panies have arranged to sidetrack over
200 sleeping and special cars, which viii
be used as living quarters by visiting
knights The sleepers are to be ar
ranged in admirable order, and will be
easily accessi bic at all hours of the day
and night The Pennsylvania railroad
will park the specials IN the Grant
street Ross street and Liberty avenue
yards. and the Baltimore & Ohio and
Pittsburg & Western Will use the Balti-
more & Ohio yards along the river
fronts. Substantial walks will be con-
structed, where there are no platforms,
leading from the trains to the nearest
thCroughfare. The walks will be well
lighted and over the cars will be illum-
mated signs. officers will be employed
day and night to keep away all per-
sons who have no business near the
trains
The railroads expect to carry over