The Portland daily press., 1899-07-10
THE JOLLY TARS.
Entertainment for the Men Behind the
Gums.

The plans for the entertainment Of the
North Atlantic squadron are rapidly COM
ing to head. The city government COM
mittee, composed of the mayor, Aldermen
Moulton and Merrill and Councilmen
Thomas, Dyer, Cloudy and Burke, held
two meetings Saturday; In fact, they
were In sssion u greater part of the day.
At these meetings the arrangements for
the entertainment were discussed and
some things decided upon. The pro-
gramme is of course liable to be changed
as IL Is prepared subject to tho approval
of Captain Taylor, who commands the
feet
The one effort Of the committee has
been to provide suitable entertainment
for the linen behind the guns" In for
mer years 1t has been considered sufficient
IL the city eavs.the officers formal BAN
quet and reception while the men were
given long parade and nothing done for
their entertainment. This year the COM
i'Iittee will endeavor to provide some
amusement for the men. One of the
things which has been decided upon,
providing 1t will be approved by the ad-
lniral, Is the giving to the men clam
bake at Peaks island, together with an
opportunity for athletic sports. A pro-
gramme Of sports have been arranged
with cash prizes and to the ship whose
men win the greatest number of points
in the athletic contests viii be given
suitable trophy, probably a handsome sill
yer cup or something OF that Kind with
the names Of the winners inscribed upon
1t. Then the city will offer prizes for a
boat race between the crews OF the sever
al ships. These things will not only
prove of amusement to the blue jackets
but will entertain the general public as
well. Further than this the committee
are endeavorlng to make some arrange
ment with the various transportation
companies for a uniform ticket which
shall be good for the man holding 1t to
ride to Riverton, to Peaks. to Cape Cot.
tage or to Yarmouth without cost to him
self. The city will make these arrange.
ments with the transportation companies
and will send a number of them TO each
ship in the squadron for distribution
among the men coming ashore on liberty.
Adjutant General Richards was in
Portland Saturday in consultation with
the committee on entertainment. 1t was
the desire of the committee to provide
If possible, some escort for the battalion
which will be landed by the fleet for a
parade, If the admiral consents to a pa
rade. 1t was believed to bs impossible
to uniform and equip the men of the
National Guard companies here and in
Westhrook In time for them to partci-
pate in this parade. Adjutant General
Richards showed q disposition. however.
to do all in his power to further the aims
of the committee. He said that it would
be possible by dint of quick work to issue
enough uniforms and rifles to equip the
National Guard companies and he will
endeavor to do this II the parade comes
of, it Is likely that suitable escort will
be provided for the men from the feet.
The following organizations have been
formally invited by the committee to act
as escort to the naval battalion ana the
ton: The four Portland companies with
the signal corps. the Westbrook company,
the Naval Reserves and the High School
Cadets. The COMMITTEES also voted Satur-
day to request Gen. G. p. Mattocks to
become the chief marshal of the parade.
He is the only :ofiicer in the city
OF a suitable rank to take command OF
such large parade as this promises to
be. 1t is expected that fully 1000 men
will be in line, together with several
bands. The procession will b. reviewed
by Gov. Powers and staff and Mayor
Robinson and the members OF the city
government and invited guests at City
hall, where a reviewing stand will be
erected.
Mrs. Philip Henry Bro wn was invited
by the committee to take charge Of the
floral tribute which will be paid to the
marching sailors as they pass several
stands TO be erected about the city along
the line OF march. 1t is the intention of
the ladies whom Mrs. Brown has interest