The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-05-24
RAIN WILL NOT STOP ODD
FELLOWS CELEBRATION.

Some misunderstanding seems TO
ment of fire alarm signals pertaining
TO the Odd Fellows parade on June Z.
The purpose of the committee Is that
even in the. event OF rain in the morn
ing or at the time for the formation or
starting of the parade. If it should clear
at any time during the afternoon, even
up to or 6 o'clock, the. parade will be
held. No signal Will be given to an
nounce delay or postponement of the
start; but the signal of seven quick
blows twice will mean, whenever it
may be given, that the various lodges.
encampments and cantons will proceed
Immediately TO Exchange Place and
tnat the line will start, within 30 min
utes. AS all the local bodies and all
those from out of town will be either at
Infantry hall or at other smaller halls
In the center Of the city. this could be
accomplished very easily. The instruc-
tions Of the committee to all participat-
ing booies are that the celebration will
certainly be held on June Z, rain or
shine" a temporary alternative pro-
gram Of the entertainment being pro-
vided in case of rain. and the parade be-
ing held IL at any time during the af-
ternoon the weather shall permit.
The wisest weather prophets, how
ever, agree in predicting favorable
weather during what has come 10 be
termed "Odd Fellows week." especially
ly after the first two days, in which
case the elaborate and careful plans OF
the committee for the possible con-
tngency of rain will be unnecessary.
although it's foresight and prudence In
the matter will be none the less appre-
ciated
The announcement that the Odd Fell
lows, through the chairman of their
committee had secured special round
trip rates to and from Providence from
all stations in Massachusetts, Rhode
Island and Connecticut for three days.
came as a great surprise 10 the busl-
ness community of Providence, and did
much to increase the general interest
in the coming demonstration, as well
as TO arouse admiration for the energy
and ability and publit-s spirited interest
In the general good of the community
tnat have characterized the entire
course of the general committee since
the inception of the big undertaking;
and many flattering compliments were
paid this morning TO those who had
shown themselves capable of interest
ing all the great railroad corporations
OF Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
Several times in the past a "mer-
charts week" and similar affairs in
tended to advance the business Inter-
ests OF Providence have been suggest
ed: but the inability to obtain satisfac-
tory railroad concessions has always
proved a stumbling block that prevent
ed the accomplishment of the object
I'm view. The Odd Fellows. therefore.
through the directing spirit OF their
committee, have given n practical dem
onstration Of what may be accomplish
ed by persistent. intelligent effort and
energetic enterprise and have there
by placed the business community un-
der strong obligations to them. as the
result OF what they have done must
inevitably be tofattract to Providence
on June 6. and 8. thousands OF people.
including many not directly interested
in the demonstration. and thus ma
terially to benefit the business interests
OF the city. The concessions secured
from the various railroads are COM
paratively insignificant in their direct
value to the Odd Fellows themselves
when the immense benefit 10 be derived
from them by the business community
- considered: and II is understood that
the latter consideration was uppermost
In the effort to accomplish the alto
gether unprecedented and surprising
work OF securing them
Many OF the leading business con-
Germs who advertise extensively have
decided to incorporate the matter OF the
special excursion rates in their regui3r
advertisements: and IN other ways th'
ndvantases 10 be derived from them
viii BE- recognized by general effort Il
make the most ~ tho exceptional op-
portun'tv now offered 10 boom Provi-
derce." " has also been suggested that
the leading merchants should unite in
extending the announcement OF the fart
bv most effective advertising methods
n
N H. possible that something I'm this
direct'on may he done. though the time
= -~c-t and very prompt action is re-
CURED.
Tae gentleman who secured the spec