The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-12
URGING A GALA ATTIRE
EPWORTH COMMITTEES CIRCULAR
LETTER To THE MERCHANTS.
Final Report ON Canvass of Homes
Friday northumberland
Booths.

More enthusiasm is being manifested IN
the coming Epworth League convention as
the time draws near. and the merchants
and business men are beginning to look for
ward TO it and take more interest in
what Is being done toward getting the city
In shape. The finance committee feels no
hesitancy in saying that 1t is confident there
will be no trouble about raising the desired
sum Of $4,000. and 1T expects that by Fri
day 1t will be able to report the final sum
subscribed. The decoration committee has
not altogether abandoned the idea Of hav
ing the monument decorated on the north
and south sides by an electrical display In
the shape Of a maltese cross. The place
the members had at first decided to put it
would cover the inscription on the monu-
ment, which would not be allowed, but a
committee will see the custodian again to-
day and see IL other arrangements cannot
be made by which such display may be
realized. The cost has been estimated at
about $50 for the maltese crosses on the
north and south sides.
A circular letter Is issued to-day by the
decoration committee urging the merchants
and business houses to decorate in honor
or the coming convention. 1t is also de-
sired that private homes be decorated. Dur
ing the Christian Endeavor convention at
Detroit the city was deliberately decorated.
the hotels public places, business houses
and even private homes being profusely
decorated with the eolors of the Christian
Endeavor. giving the city a gala appear
ance- The committee urges that Indian
apolis should do likewise, as 1t impresses
the visitor. and the reputation of the con-
vention city will be preserved. The decora-
ton committee has let the contract for
ten-foot maltese cross for the stage at Tom
hnSon Hall for an electrical display in red
and white in the evening. with the Epworth
league motto, The cross viii be placed In
the middle OF the stage and will make
beautiful background for the other decora-
tons. There will be streamers strung across
words, Welcome Epworth Leaguers." and
ike notices. and the Union Station will
also be decorated with the league colors.
DIR. Lasby received a letter yesterday
from the second vice president of the
Christian Endeavor at Detroit. saying that
the total ATTENDANCE at the convention In
I1asby says that the attendance here next
week will be at the very lowest $1,000 He
says that the big tent discussion rather
checked the enthusiasm in parts of the
country, but he is satisfied that the attend
ance will not be less than the above num-
Der and is likely 10 exceed the estimate OF
5o,OVo. Mr.. Lasby will be prepared in few
days to give his reasons why there will be
over $1,000. but until then he will not
prophesy as to the attendance over that
number. The downtown merchants are
preparing for rush, as the low rate ex-
cursions will bring in crowds from through
out the State. One of the merchants said
yesterday that the convention was coming
at rather an unfortunate time. as it was
Just between the seasons, almost too late
TO buy summer things and TO early 10 buy
fall goods. However. they are hopeful of
doing good business, mostly from In
dianians, who will take advantage Of the
excursions.
THE REGISTRATION BOOTHS.
The registration booths will consist of
desks, which are being made to order. They
are high, with slanting top, so that the
person registering may stand up. The
booths will begin at the rotunda of the
ridor on the west side. The assignment
booths will consist of tables, eighteen in all.
representing the fifteen wards, and one for
the colored delegates. one for Irvington and
one for the hotels. The assignment booths
will begin on the opposite side of the ro-
tunda and extend down the east side of the
corridor There will be three relays of
workers for these booths, and there will be
three persons appointed to each booth, with
two secretaries to each person doing the as
signing. Every six hours each booth will
be relieved. The registrat ton booths will be
The States which are sending the largest
delegations, such as Michigan. Illinois,
Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, New York and
the New England States will have separate
booths and the smaller State delegations
will be combined.
The homes committee will receive the re-
ports from the final canvass Friday even
ing, and DR.. Bacon is hopeful that the num-
Der will reach $4,000. The mail received
every day by this committee is enormous,
and the three stenographers have as much
as they can attend TO by working from
early morning till night 10 answer the let
tiers coming in regard to accommodations
and State. delegations.