The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-25

resentatives of the great copper and wire rope manufacturers, John A. Roeb- ling's Sons Company of Trenton, N. J.. were in Montgomery yesterday to place an order for wire with the Montgomery Street Railway Company. Tn showing them about the city R. F. Scott, Superin- tendent of the street railway company, took them to the State Capitol. Here Mir. Scott. who has manifested much interest in the war trophies, explained the history of the Don Juan de Austria mast. and the spar of the Oquendo. He told the visitors of the difficulties which had beset the committe in It's efforts to raise the masts.
 Messrs. whaley and Dumas manifested considerable interest fin the history of the mast and the spar. They expressed admiration of the pluck and patriotism of the Flag Committee and readily agreed in behalf of their company to donate to the State. through the Commercial and Industrial Association, all of the steel stay rope that will be required for the erection and maintenance of the mast and spar
 Capt. Forbes Pleased.
 Captain Forbes was delighted when in- formed of the donation of Messrs. Wha- ley and Dumas. He said specifications had been prepared and he had already negotiated with a contractor to raise the mast on the Capitol lawn The base of the mast will be close by the breach of the old cannon near the main entrance to the Capitol grounds.
 ''The plans of the committee said Captain Forbes yesterday, are tentative as yet The actual work of erecting the mast of the Don Juan de Austria will require a week or ten days, but we pro- pose to have a program of ceremonies hoG k1na sion Uhau the work io completed. If we do not have more set backs the contractor will complete the work of raising the mast by August 1. The Don Juan de Austria mast measur es ninety-five feet. The spar of the war ship Ouquendo measuring thirty feet, will be placed on top of the mast, This will make the distance from the ground to the tip of the pole 125 feet. but the mast will be sunk ten feet in the ground, reduc- ing the height to li5 feet. The founda- ton will be constructed of concrete and the mast will be supported by stay ropes of steel. There will be steel crows nest or small iron platforms where the spar is joined to the mast which will set off the flag pole and make its appearancse iIn- posing"
 To Be State Occasion.
 ''The first American flag which hoated over Cuban territory win fly from the pinnacle of the great fiagpoIe." continued Captain Forbes. ''You will remember tn at this flag was some time ago presented to the State of Alabama by Gen. Joseph Wheeler and Is now in the care of Gov. ernor Jelks Just below this historis fias the St. Andrews cross, the flag of Ala 1 hama. will be suspended and such other flags as the people may desire will bt floated over the State House lawn from | the Spanish mast
 Captain Forbes said that the ceremonies would take place with the raising of the flags to the top of the mast. These cere. monies, he said, were tentative and they would probably consist of military pa rade. an oration, rescltations and patriot ic songs. Beautiful young Alabama wo men. he said, would be selected to raise the flags and the occasion you'd be made ono of State .n9crtaace instead of pLr J local interest.