The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-08-04
A GRAND SCHEME
FOR 1LLU M N ATOMS
The Decoration Committee
Plans Brilliant
Display.

The committee on decoration for the
reception of the California boys met yes
terday afternoon in Mayor Phelan's pr1-
vate office in the Phelan building. w. J.
Martin, chairman of the committee, pre-
sided and the following members were
present: w II. Mills, Charles Hirsch
Crepresenting Henry Fortman), A Schll-
ling. l. w. Hellman Jr. and Harry Hol-
brock In calling the meeting to order
Chairman Martin said:
Gentlemen: AS you are aware the Board Of
Supervisors recently appointed a committee
consisting of his Honor, the Mayor and a rep
resentative from each OF the three morning
papers to act as an executive committee 70
arrange for the reception OF the Callornla anu anu
other volunteer troops returning from tIie
Philippines especially the California Regl-
The executive committee has been meeting
from time TO time since its creation, and the
work as far as possible has been apportioned
out to the different members. General de
Young has been placed at the head of the
finance committee, and has selected as mem
hers representatives from the various mercan-
ttIa and other industries of San Francisco.
The duty of that committee will be TO raise
the necessary money to cover all expenses N
cident to the reception oy Tue 'i'i~'-'
mittee. -, 49,, -o.,r
sib1e duty of arranging suitable electrical
display and other decorations along the line
of march. 49,. ,
in the way of decorations on the occasion OF
the return of the California Regiment Inc
decorations Will add, IN a great measure ~
the success of the undertaking. and therefore
this committees responsibility is very ereal.
The question of two electrical arcnes across
Market street was decided upon by the execu-
tive committee, provided, OF course that we
found it feasible but the duty OF this MS com com
mittee not only covers electrical but all other
decorations deemed necessary by the commit
For the further information of the
committee Mr. Martin said that the
general programme of the reception, so
Far as arranged. provided first for
naval parade after which the men would
be landed as soon as possible and dIned
nv relatives at the ferry depot. They
would then be marched to the Preside as
part of a parade the dimensions of which
same night or the night following the
programme called for a night parade and
a banquet at the ferry depot or Mechan-
I. W. HeIlman Jr. wanted to know what
money would be forthcoming for the needs
of the decoration committee. AS 1t was
not possible to answer definitely 1t was
decided to listen to suggestions on decora-
ton, decide on some plan and estimate
the cost.
-! have no doubt" said Mr.. Martin,
that the funds will be forthcoming.
. IF there is to be any daytime decora-
ton said Mr.. Mills, II would suggest
coors. l am somewhat averse, personally,
to having a great wash of flags hung out
on clotheslines across the streets:
THAT suggestion agrees with the view
of the executive committee, said the
chair. we intend to prevent as far as
possible, the stringing of banners across
the streets
LAS to night decorations resumed Mr..
Mills, "the most beautiful effect l ever
saw anywhere was at Sacramento on the
night they inaugurated their light and
power plant. The feature was an illumin-
alton of the State Capitol. 1t was an out
line in lights of the entire building and
south front of the City Hall in this city
presents a face that would lend itself to
a similar display. l made an estimate of
how many incandescent lights will be nee
essary, and l found it will take about
5000 so as to light the dome from the
lantern down to the first circle and to
outline the remaining portion of the
'front.'
Four thousand lamps. Mr.. Mills estimat-
ed, would be needed to treat the ferry de-
pot in a similar manner and as many
more for the dome he proposed and
rough drawing of which he submitted, in
tended to span the space at the intersec-
ton of kearny, Gedry, Market ana Ihlrd
streets.
The suggestions of Mr.. Mills met with
general approval, as did one from Mr..
Schilling that the committee might in
wife merchants and householders to CO.
operate in the illumination by displays in
the windows of their places of business
and, residences. Mr.. Holbrook suggested
that circular letters be sent out asking
for such cooperation from private citi-
zens and from the newspapers. He was
assured that the newspapers would at
tend to the matter without solicitation.
In support of his suggestion for tri-
llmphal dome of incandescent light Mr..
Mills said 1t would do away with the ne
cessity for trfumphal arch, which nova
days was generally very tawdry wall
On motion it was decided to be the sense
of the committee that it report to the ex-
ecutive committee recommending the illu-
mination of the ferry depot. the dome and
south front of the City Hall and the cree
ton of the iridescent dome, as suggested
II was also decided that the newspapers
he requested. as suggested by Mr.. Schi-
ling to cooperate with the decoration
committee in illuminating.
Al this stage Mr.. Hirsch advanced the
idea that the illumination would be great
" ENLARGED by the stretching across
Market street from the ferry depot to
Van Ness avenue. of strings of many
coIored incandescent lamps. This sug-
gestion also was received with favor.
Having arrived at these general agree
ments on plans the matter of expense
was considered. Chairman Martin stated