The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-09

tee. of which Captain 4. G. Forbes was chairman, was appointed to have charge of this department of the work. The committee and particularly Captain Forbes became deeply interested in the matter and when it was learned that the masts could not reach here in time for the festival, the committee vas continued and given power to act for the business men of Montgomery. Captain Forbes has been indefatigable in his efforts to secure the transportation of the great masts and his labors were rewarded when 1t reached here Thursday morning.
 permit was issued yesterday by Mayor Joseph for the mast of the Don Juan de Austria to be unloaded today, and a contract for its removal to the capitol grounds has been awarded to a local wagoner. His charge for removing the big mast from the cars to the capitol is $50. The cars will be shifted in front of Sellers & Orum's warehouse on Tal- lapoosa Street and a gang of negro work men will take the big piece Of timber from the cars. Three wagons and eight mules will be required to transport the mast through the streets. On account of It's stupendous dimensions 1t Is necessary to move 1t through the streets in the early morning hours before business be- gins.
 
 enthusiasm yesterday when he spoke of the historic value of these Spanish masts and the interesting occasion which their raising promises to be. He said that while the City of Montgomery and the State were more deeply interested in the relics than the Street Fair Association, which Is a temporary organization. he had been selected as chairman of the Fair Committee and he had become so -k>I t,,t tfnr hof hn had c1xy yav, 1t a great deal of his time. He, referred to the hearty cooperation which he had received from Mayor Jospeh and Governor Jelks and declared that in his judgment the relics would be the greatest addition which had ever been placed in the capital grounds.
 When we have finished the work of raising the masts and paying the freight and other expenses said Captain Forbes the masts will have cost us about $500, This is mere bagatelle when the historic value of the masts Is considered. Ala bama will be the only State in the Union to have one of these Spanish masts and their value is incalculable. Why, there are States that would give a000O tomor- row for one of them. When they are raised we will have an iron railing placed around the base. A brass plate will be placed on the side of the main mast  it was sunk with the Spanish vessel by Dewey at Manila. The Santiago flag will wave from its pinnacle and, l dare say, thousands of winter tourists en route to Florida and the gulf resorts will stop in Montgomery each year just to get a glimpse of these valuable relics of the Spanish-American war"
 Captain Forbes said that the Board of Directors of the Street Fair Association would meet within a few days to close up the affairs of the organization. As his committee Is working under directions of the Association he will report to the Board that the masts are here and some sort of program of ceremonies will be arranged after due consultation with the Mayor and the Governor.
 He said that the ceremonies would probably consist of formal presentation to the State of the masts by Captain Hob son and Santiago flag by General Wheeler both of whom are expected to be here. Then the Santiago flag will be pulled to the top of the big mast by a daughter of Alabama. A second flag, the ensign of the cruiser Montgomery will occupy place immediately under the big Santiago flag, and the flag of the State will also be raised. There will be several speeches and it will be an occasion that will oc- cupy ah unique place in the annals of A labama history.