The age-herald., 1898-10-04
PLANS ON FOOT
 FOR THE CARNIVAL Meeting Of the Committee on Designs
 Last Night. FIVE CONTRACTORS BID Sketches of New Orleans Men Make
 Favorable Impression. 
GRAND TRADES DISPLAY
Will be One of the New Features of the Mardi Gras, Which is Prom ised to Eclipse all Pre-
 vious Efforts.

An important meeting of the committee on designs of the Birmingham Carnival so- ciety was held last night in the parlors or the Metropolitan, which marked the inau- guration of active preparations for the reception and entertainment of Rex Vulcan ", king of the carnival of 1899, who will arrive in the city on Monday, February l3, next.
 The meeting was called to order by Pres ident E. Lesser of the Carnival society, with the following members present: Louis E. Braun, secretary; B. Steiner, treasurer; E. J. McCrossin, grand marshal, and J. A. Rountree, Charles Wheelock, Lew Laz- arus. c. T. Rambo, J. K McDonald and William Reckling, vice-presidents.
 Selection of Designs
 The principal business before the meet ing was the selection of designs for the official floats, five contractors having sub- mitted drawings and estimates, The dif- ferent designs were carefully considered, many magnificent ideas being presented. Designs submitted by J. M. Evans of New Orleans met with the most favorable con- sideration of the committee, and while no action was taken it is probable that MT. Evans will be awarded the contract. MT. Evans has designed floats for the New Or leans carnival, and is said to be one of the finest artists in his line in the United States.
 The floats which he proposes to build are the most elaborate ever attempted by the Carnival society and will be second to none, New Orleans not excepted.
 Grand Trades Display
 It in tn hn off pi1 parades to have grand trades display in which merchants, manufacturers, railroads, corporations, secret and civic societies and labor and military organ zations will be asked to participate. In addition, every city and town in the state will be invited to place floats in theaparade, displaying their resources This parade will be separate and distinct and will take place on Tues day, February II, in the forenoon.
 J. A. Rountree was unan mously elected to take charge of this feature of the car nival and will at once begin active work. 1t is believed that the trades dis play will add greatly to the carnival and will be the means of attracting many thousands of people to the city.
 Improve Gasoline Torch
 The question or Hum nation TOT the nlSnC parade was carefully discussed It was decided to use an improved gasoline torch, which will insure good light and do away with the possibility of failure.
 His Majesty, Rex Vulcan ", will arrive at high noon on Monday, February 19, and will immed aately head the Rex parade in his official float passing through the prn- einal StreetS of the city.
 Monday night the Birmingham German Turn Verein will tender the royal guest and his attendants grand reception.
 On Tuesday morning, February IA, the trades parade will take place. In the afternoon the official parade of the car nival society will be seen for the first time and will be followed at night by the grand illuminated parade and the Rex ball at the Auditorium.
 All committees will at once begin active work and nothing will be left undone to make the 1899 celebration the most aus pic ous in the history of the city.