The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-19
TRIENNlAL CONCLAVE.
Under Arches of Fire knights
Will Be Welcomed.

Pittsburg, Aug. deliberations for
the Knights Templar Conclave have be-
gun to assume definite shape. J. Alex
ander of Joseph Horne & Co., who had
charge of the work of decoration dur
ing the Grand Army encampment, four
years ago, has prepared designs.
A design for the Transformation OF
the Masonic temple on Fifth avenue,
was submitted to a committee by Mr..
Alexander yesterday afternoon. AS this
building will be the local point of all
demonstrations and ceremonies, the
greatest outlay will be expended on its
exterior establishment. Mr.. Alexander
says it will be the finest specimen of
Masonic decoration in the country.
Nothing at the Boston concIave, nor at
any other conclave, for that matter, has
equaled it. The author worked on his
design for many weeks before getting
a combination that pleased him. Now
he thinks the result of his labor will be
well worth the time and effort expended
on it.
Red, white, black and gold will form
the color scheme. The decorations will
cover the entire building, except the
first floor, which is occupied by Camp
bell & Dick. This firm will do it's own
decorating. The Masonic design will
extend to the street, at the main en-
trance to the Temple proper. Here there
ton gold, supporting an arch of the
same material, with the maltese cross
above it. Extending from the top of
the door way to the cOrnice of the
building, and the width of the door, is
straight stretch of red cashmere bunt-
ing, relieved here and there by designs
in white and black.
The principal feature of the front of
the building will be an illuminated cross
"a feet long and Is feet wide, with
crown of proportionate size exactly in
the center of the structure. over 1000
electric lights will be employed in the
construction of this emblem. over a
skeleton of wood canvas will be
stretched and gilded. The lights will be
wired to this, so that the golden effect
will be as pleasing by day as by night.
b This cross and crown will be seen all
over the city. 1t will be one of the
largest designs contemplated for and
over the main entrance to the hall,
and on a level with the third story, will
be a full size knight in armOr, surround
ed by white and black bunting. This
may be illuminated. Black, white and
red bunting will be draped artictically
around every window. Red cashmere
will form a background for the cross,
also the crown, and extending almost to
the edges of the building The tricolored
bunting will likewise form design
along the cornice. second Maltese
cross in gold will be placed at the left
of the main cross, and hugh golden
"CS'' on the other side. The motto In
Hoe Signo Vinces'' in letters of gold,
will be emblazoned across the building,
below the cross and crown.
The exterior decorations will cost
about SO 000 Mr.. Alexander thinks the
design will prove satisfactory, with
perhaps few slight alterations. Work
will begin as soon as the design is ap-
proved.
The biggest electric light decorations
will be on the southside- Mr.. A1exan-
der has prepared a design for the Pitts
burg & Lake Erie railroad which calls
for the words Welcome. Sir Knights -
in letters of fire 500 feet long, on the
new train shed, at the south end of the
Smithfield street bridge.
Across the end of the shed, facing the
bridge, will be a cross and crown, sim
liar to that on the Masonic Temple, and
likewise the Boadicean banner and PEN
nant, in incandescent lights, and other
Masonic emblems. The train shed Is
over 500 feet in length, along the Mon
ongahele river The space not occupied
by the words of welcome will be given
over to appropriate emblemS and tanc1-
full designs. The Transformation OF this
building will cost 81, 900.
For his own firm. Joseph Horne &
Co. Mr.. Alexander proposes to erect a
20-fOot revolving statue OF St. George
on the top of the new Horne building,
at Penn avenue and Fifth street. The
statue win be constructed of wood.
covered with canvas and gilded- 1t VIII
be Illuminated by electric lights in red,
white and blue lights. An ingenious
arran cement of clockwOrk will cause
the statue to slowly turn on its pedeS-
tai. The other decorations for the
Horne building have not been fully de-
cided on 1t is thought a number of
smaller electric designs may occupy the
front of the building About 1000 lights
will be required in illuminating the
Horne statue.