Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06
RAIN WAS INCESSANT
DOMINIQUE YESTERDAY UPON
THE VISITING VETERANS.
Streets Practically Deserted in the
Forenoon-Renewalo Of Old As
sociations Indoors.

The veterans and their families and
friends who came to the city yesterday by
the thousands found an unpropitious wei
come. so far as the elements were con-
cerned The rain that began early Satur-
day evening continued In a downpour
throughout the night. and until close upon
o'clock yesterday afternoon. The streets
throughout the forenoon were practically
deserted by pedestrians, and there was lit
tie out OF the ordinary to suggest that a
multitude Of strangers had invaded the city.
The crowds about the depots were enOr-
nous. The business Of the transfer COM
panies was the greatest In months. Every
available vehicle IN the city was pressed
into service to take care Of the immense
influx Of passengers. Nearly all OF the
Saturday night and the greater part of
yesterday. Hotel Hobbies were crowded by
persons anxious to avoid the rain.
Everybody was good natured, despite the
the usual hustle and hustle attendant upon
the visitors trying to flnd places to sleep
and eat. But nothing can dampen the
ardor Of the old warriors who are gather
ing here at the national capital, many OF
them for the last time. to renew old ac-
quaintances and have good time. Four
years of camp. field and march schOoled
these veteran savfors OF the government
not TO complain. 1nOSS VINO were nero
seemed to feel that such an unpleasant be-
ginning must presage better ending.
Later in the afternoon. when for an hour
or 80. the rain decreased and there was
suggestion that better weather was In
store, the main thoroughfares downtown
presented a scene OF animation. As If by
magic, men and women swarmed the
streets as they started out for sightseeing.
Caught Out in the Rain.
They walked up and down Pennsylvania
avenue and not a few of them enjoyed
street car rides to neighboring resorts or
other places of interest But the rain be-
gan again. and there was a scurrying to
hotel Hobbies and places Of shelter.
In all Of the hotels Of the city extra help
was on hand to take care OF the increased
business. Many persons who failed to ar
rival were turned away. AS at the previous
encampment and during inauguration times.
there have come to the city a large number
of persons who objected to being respon-
sible for q hotel room for an entire week
and have trusted to good luck for places to
sleep and eat.
The people Of Washington are hospltablo
to the extreme. and they are doing every
thing within their power to look after the
thousands Of persons who are dependent
on private homes and places other than
hotels and boarding houses for living during
their stay.
Eating Houses Well Patronized.
The number of eating houses that have
come into existence within a day seems
marvellous Every empty store room has
been engaged by some enterprfsing person
and fitted for the accommodation OF the
visitors. And in nearly every one OF them
the prices are the same as those that obtain
in regular places at ordinary times.
A striking feature of yesterday was the
LOT, Of In the public streets,
Fully half hundred bands were brought to
the city during the day. each accompanying
some Grand Army post or military organ
iZation. There was little marching. due to
the rain, members Of posts and musicians
alike deeming 1t essential to find place OF
shelter from the downpour.
So far as could be learned, there were few
violations of the excise laws. Those who
had misgivngs that proprietors of caravan
saries and saloons would be inclined to meet
the demand for Mbations that Is usually
manifest when so many thousands OF stran-
gers come to the city seemed happy over
the fact
The street fakirs, who are always present
at great gatherings like the encampment
and who are ever ready to turn their hand
to make dollar. were not caught mapping
Badges and other devices that usually
catch the eye were cast aside for the time
being and umbrellas were substituted. An
extraordinary trade in this useful article,
and at prices that were reasonable, Drought
many dollars into their Golfers.
Rift in the Clouds.
There was another rift In the clouds about
s o'clock. and the first post that had
marched in a body to its hotel proceeded
down the avenue from the 9Th street sta
tton. 1t was preceded by a fife and drum
corps and attracted much attention.
Many pleasing comments were heard on
every hand regarding the decorations OF
public buildings and business houses. Every
one seemed to feel that the people OF the
national capital have done themselves JUS
tice and honored the old soldiers who have
come to spend the week.
The veterans who are already on the
ground found plenty of amusement. evenff
the rain did prevent them going about the
city as they otherwise would have done.
They sat about the hotel Hobbies, sought
out old acquaintances and friends ana
brousht I'D "reminiscences of the days when
they fought side by side. Not few attend
ed religious services. There were many