The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-02-26
THE CYCLE SHOW TO
Open TOMORROW
Everything in Readiness for
the Exhibition.
Planned ON Scale of Great Magni-
tude.
Arrangement of Booths and Decora-
lions of the Hall-SOuvenirs to
Be Distributed.

At 8 o'clock tomorrow evening the doors
Of the Washington Light Infantry Armory
will be thrown open to the public, and the
Washington Cycle Show will be introduced
to the general population Of the city. It
can be safely predicted that the character
and scope of the show will surprise all
who attend. The surprise will be pleas
ant one, the scope OF the show being of
much greater magnitude than one would
imagine. 1t is not only show of the
local dealers, but outside firms as we'll,
and while bicycles will predominant, there
will be plenty of sundries and other ma
terials on exhibition.
The past week has been very busy one
for the show people. After all of the pre-
iiminary work and the sale of exhibition
space the labor Of preparing the hall for
the big show was commenced. The con-
tractor commenced work Thursday morn
ing with a large force of men. His speci-
fications called for the erection of eighty
five stands-ffty-fou in the center floor
space and thirty-one surrounding the walls
OF the large place. The work on some of
the stands is rather elaborate, being con-
structed after special plans OF the exhibit
ors. With large force of men the con-
tractor was practically able by the close of
last evening to finish everything. Some
little work yet remains to be done, but
that will be completed in plenty of time
before the show opens.
A Brilliant illumination.
The place will be perfect mass OF cleo
trio lights, and during the hours of the
show will be as bright as sunlight The
hall will be Illuminated by several hun
dred incandescent electric lights. 1t is ex
pected that there will be about 10 900 lights
in the hall. Up to the middle of last week
the electrician had received orders from
only a limited number OF exhibitors. yet
had contracts to put in something like 5000
lights. BY the time the other exhibitors
are heard from there will probably be
double this number.
The decorations will be an important
and pleasing feature. This work COM
menced yesterday and will continue up
to within a short time before the opening.
Each stand is decorated by the exhibitor.
and as a result profusion of pretty
things can be looked for There will be a
greater variety of the display than if the
decorating was done by one person, the
different ideas all tending to improve the
appearance of the hall and relieve what
ever monotony may exist. With the car
peted floor of the booths, the general dec
orations, and the electrical display there is
absolutely no limit upon the general ap-
pearance.
In addition to the decorations of the
booths, the hall will be prettily decorated
with bunting. American flags and ported
plants. The balcony at the north end of
the hall will be regular bower. II will
be hidden by flags and bunting. with a
mass OF ported plants as a background. On
this balcony the band will be located Out
side of the balcony the general decorations
will be just as effective and as pleasing
no pains nor expense being spared in this
matter. Strips of bunting will extend all
along the walls, producing an effect that
Will add to the general appearance, and
yet not be too gaudy
Arrangement of the Show.
The arrangement of the show is perfect,
and there will be no trouble at all in get
ting a perfect view of every exhibit. The
aisles between the stands are wide enough
for the passage and promenade of specta-
tors. The aisles running east and west are
nine feet across, while those running north
and south are two feet. measuring only
seven feet from stand to stand.
The Philadelphia show held last week
was regarded as quite successful, yet in
general appearance it is hardly thought
that it will be the equal of the local affair.
John Woerner jr.. the manager of the
Washington show, made a trip to Phila-
delphia during the week, and secured a
number OF new exhibitors for the local
show, enough to take up all of the unoccu-
pied spaces. The Philadelphia show was
not quite so large as will be the Washing
ton show. The people of that city patron
lied the event equally as well as the peo-
pie of New York did the show at Madison
Square Garden last month.
At the local show everything has been
arranged for the convenience of guests.
The room at the northwest corner. just to
the right of he entrance, is fitted up as an