The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-03
DANCERS TALK.
Young People Enthusiastic Over
Twentieth Century Ball.
Ladies Meet With Other Mem
bers of Committee.
OLD FATHER TINE.
He VIII Ring Out the Century
and Ring in New.
Costume Question is Already
Causing Worry.
TIME.

The Twentieth Century Inaugural
Fete viii be a great success if the zeal
and enthusiasm as displayed by the
members of the advisory board at their
meeting in the Commercial club rooms
is a criterion.
One thing which stood out prorni-
nently at the meeting was the fact that
a large percentage OF those present were
ladies' And when the ladies take hold
of an enterprise it may be set down as
a foregone conclusion that the affair
will be carried through to a successful
end.
Chairman George w. Crane opened the
meeting by explaining what had al
ready been accomplished by the ex-
ecutive committee and outlined the work
for the future in a general way. He
said:
"Of course it should be understood
from the beginning that it will not be a
mask affair. On the contrary we want
to make this a costume ball, leaving off
the Objectionable features. Of course
this will not exclude the wearing of any
kind of headdress necessary to carry
out the idea of the dress of a certain
epoch.
THE scale of prices win probably be
from 81 to So for the privileges of the
first floor Those who occupy seats IN
the balcony to view the pretty spectacle
will probably pay so cents for the priv
i1ege of sitting in either of the first three
rows and 25 cents for seats back of the
third row.
A suggestion which meets with favor
is the plan to use the old fire bell which
has fallen into disuse, when the new
year and the new century begin.
The bell may be painted in imitation
of the old Liberty bell, and placed on
the stage of the Auditorium.
Promptly at II o'clock, Major Tom
Anderson, typically attired as Father
Time, carrying his scythe and hour
ola will
| stage and beat out the old year and ring
in the new century by striking the bell
a dozen times the hour, midnight
This plan will be adopted and elabo-
| rated. Every one to whom it is told
| goes into ecstacies over it The arrange
ment for the details of this plan will
| come under the direction OF the pro-
| gramme committee
DR.. Henry Roby suggested giving a
| pantomime of some of the situations in
| Longfel1ow's "Courtship of Miles Stand
| ish.'' The characters will be on the floor
| in costume and could De dr1iled 10 go
| through with the pantomime while some
| one read passages from the poem.
| Colonel Hughes suggested having the
minuet danced by from twelve to twenty
The virginia reel was suggested as a.
wind-up to the ball by Miss Ellen Park
| hurst.
The subject of costumes was discussed
| at length. Tt was the opinion of some
| that owing to the fact that other cities
were to have the century ball that it
would be difficult to secure costumes.
Another suggestion was to appoint a
committee of ladies who would make all
| the costumes needed for pay.
/ However, these questions will come up
for final settlement at the meeting at
| the Commercial club rooms next Wed
nesday afternoon at o'clock
There is some doubt in the minds Of
| the people" said Miss Edna Crane, ''as
| to the meaning of the statement of the
too WI
nounced that only costumes worn IN
America since its discovery would be in
| order.
only the characters that are wholly
| American are meant by the announce
Ynent. The idea of the committee as
understand it is to allow the fancy court
dress and the dress of those lower IN
rank of those who came over to this
country from the time of it's discovery in
1892 down until the present"
Chairman Crane asked OF those pres
ent who is there here who will not
| serve on a committee when appointed"
Not a voice was heard and with a snil-
ing face Mr.. Crane said: II am glad to
see that you all mean to do your best in
helping make the Twentieth Century In
augural Fete a function which will be
the SWEETEST ever given in Topeka"
John G. Waters suggested a. refresh
ment committee. ut should be the most
important committee among the bunch
said he.
The committee adjourned to meet
Wednesday afternoon. In the meantime
following out a suggestion made by A.
B. Quinton, all the members of the ad-
visory board who know of others who
will help in the work will send the
names to either Major Anderson at the
Commercial club or to the chairman of
the executive committee, George w.
Crane.
The committee received a. note from
Edward Wilder declining because of alb
sence from the city to serve on com
nlittee.
aCnEHnaCvV nErnEC-