The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-26
ANEW CENTURY FESTIVAL
Philadelphia Making Elaborate
Plans for It's Celebration.
EIeetricianz Preparing the city Han
for Gorgeous illuminated Effects
The Mayors Reccptfon-The ssiii-@
tia a. PnrticIoafe-Arraasen
for street Parade and Fireworks.

PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 5.-EiectrieiaRs
we're working yesterday fitting the wires
and sockets to TIE big evergreen trees
which are 10 play such an important
part "a the decorations Of City Hail in
conjunction with PhiIadelphia's ceiebra-
tiol OF the dawn OF the twentieth cen
tUry, Carpenters at the same time we're
busy preparing bases for the trees and
the decorators began placing tneE in po-
sition today.
Those in charge OF the celebration have
solved every problem in connection with
the great event except that OF handling
the crowds that viii undoubtedly tHrong
10 the mayors reception. At the mayors
special request this event is TO be 3 peo-
pies reception, one open to the citizens
of Philadelphia and the strangers with n
the citY's gates. No invitations viii be
issued to anyone. The mayor and his
twe Directors and the members Of Coun-
ciis' Joint Committee VIII receive from
1890 O'Clock IN the evening until mid
night on New Year eve in the handsome
reception room OF the mayors offlce On
the north corridor Of the second foGr Of
City Hall
It is also the intention TO throw open
the conversation room ard beth cham
bers OF Councils on the fourth floor. The
corridor sad the room where the mayor
someIy decorated with pctted plants and
flowers and the same decorative Idea VIII
be carried out in the decorations OF the
grand staircase On the northeast corridor.
The military, which viii form in cor
don about the big municipal building. and
viii join in a fen de joie. will of course,
do no police duty The soldiery will prob
ably break their lines at two OF the four
corners OF the big municipal building,
and the police viii form So that the peg
pie pass between the lines marching IN
two columns. enc entering the building
and the other departing. In This way, 1t is
believed, little confusion wiH result.
More careful measures than ever before
VIII be taken to prevent too great con
gestion OF people about the public build
ings, the plan being to so distribute the
spectators that the crowd viii be evenly
masssd in all streets facing the half. IN
this way il Is hoped and believed that
none viii be injured In the crush.
Daily the plans Of auxiliary associa-
tions. such as the many shooters clubs
whoS<iIi take part IN the evening plans,
are growing So unqualified has been the
endorsement OF these organizations Of
the twentieth century plans that d prom
inent shooter said last. night that where
as week ago hundreds were figured on
coming into the march, now 1t was
safe TO compute them by thousands.
Shooters organizations that OF late years
dwindled in numbers have received q new
lease OF life, and passiveness on the part
of members has given place 10 the pres
ent interest. Each society Is planning
and striving -vaIiantiy TO surpass It's
brother organizations in brillianey OF dis
play It is likely that many new, stTik-
ing and sIngularly beautiful costumes
viii be worn by the different organize
tions on tae gala occasion. In fact, some
of the leading societies have already sent
to New York in order that costumers
might be consulted along this line
Fireworks by thousands will be set Of
along the line of march. Roman candies
and red FIRE will be used as they never
were before. Every color OF the rainbow
viii be shot heavenwaTd in honor Of tbs
memorable occasion Chinese bombs
furnishing beautiful pyrotechnic displays
have already been planned.
As for the music every band Of pTomi-
nence IN PHILADELPHIA and vicinity VII
contribute TO the enjoyrTsnt Of the occa-
sion. In all likelihood many bands ant
military clubs from New Jersey who have
expressed desire to take part IN the fes
Jivities viii be welcomed.