The record-union., 1899-07-03
Preparations for the Big Convention
at Detroit.
Encampment Grounds Nearly Ready fur Re-
eeptlun Of Delegates.
The Two Mammoth Canvas Audi-
forums, With Seating Capas
city Of Over Ten Thousand Peo-
pie Each, Completed With the
Exception of the Decorations

DETROIT (Mich.), July 1.-THE Sab
bath was strictly observed to-day on
the Christian Endeavor grounds, the
site of the International '99 Conven-
ton. Some of the concessionaires who
had been slow in getting their tents
and equipments in place asked permis-
sion to work Sunday, but consent was
promptly refused by John Strongs
Chairman of the General 80 Commit
tee, who stated that nothing inconsist-
ent with the Christian principles would
be allowed on the grounds. Work OF
necessity, such as preparing and serve
ing meals, will, of course, be permits
ted next Sunday as on other days.
All the local committee will this week
transfer their quarters from the thir~
teenth floor of the Majestic Building
to the encampment grounds. The UNI
dulating canvas roofs and fiutterinG
flags of the newly arisen white citys
which from Wednesday until the fol-
lowing Tuesday will be the center OF
religious enthusiasm, are now plainly
visible from the office of the Generaf
Committee, two miles away.
Tents Endeavor and Williston, tho
two big twin canvas auditoriums are
complete, save for the decorations,
which are in progress. The predomi-
mating color will be crimson and whites
the Christian Endeavor colors. Huge
streamers will be stretched to the
center from the sides, along the roof,
destroying the bare effect of the can
vas. There are ninety-six of the
streamers at the stage and forty-eighC
at the opposite, or entrance end, ana
seventy-two along the sides, making
total of PIG of these wide crimson and
white ribbons, radiating as far as tho
walls of the tents. The stage will pre-
sent ceiling of color, and bunting
will come to point at the top of the
dome.
The mammoth stage will be done in
white, relieved by festoons of Crimson
and the speakers stand will be adorn-
ed by Old Glory and the Union Jack.
Suspended from the center above the
speakers stand was an electrical device
! showing the Christian Endeavor mon
ogram. This will be draped on either
side with American and British fiags-
On each of the quarter poles there VIII
be banners by 6 in size in honor OF
each State in the Union: on the re-
verse of these will be banners of all
the nations in which the Christian En-
deayor movement has obtained a foot
hold Outside running down the hal-
yard attached to the three huge cen-
ter poles and below the tent bourges
and Stars and Stripes will be flown n
myriad of flags of all nations, the three
lines of ensigns reaching nearly to the
ground. Over 400 flags will be used
in the decoration of the two main
tents. not counting innumerable small
ones that will adorn the wall poles.
Tents Endeavor and WillistOn each
has comfortable seating capacity or
10000 and the platforms each seat L.
600, including choirs of about 500
voices. The speakers platform projects
outward from the main stage. Around
this projection are tables and chairs
assigned to the use of 100 working re-
porters The usher system has been
admirably perfected, and confusion will
be hardly possible. Non-delegates will
be admitted after certain hours.
The headquarters, bicycle, informa-
ton. press and ladies' tents are all am
pie and conveniently arranged. AL
space designed for restaurant and re-
freshment tents, etc, is occupied.
Rapid street-car service is expected
to be feature. The Woodward-ave-
nue. line, running nearest to the
grounds, will run cars every twenty
seconds There will be a one-minute
service on the Lake avenue and two
minute cars on other adjacent lines.
The railroads have established a joint
agency in Philharmonic Hall, where
all return tickets must be marked, and
where tickets must be deposited In re-
turn for checks If extensions are de-
sired Names of all ticket holders will
be recorded, and pass agents are hopes
full of largely frustrating ticket brok-
ers schemes.
Ample accommodations have been SEE
cured for 10000, and, although the
number of official delegates will prob
ably be much less than that number,
others who are attracted by the low
rates of fare can also be provided for.
.