The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-05
Decorations About Completed, Stands
Ready for Parade and other
Preparations Fully Made.
HISTORICAL PLACES MARKED
SPECIAL FLORAL DECORATIONS IN
NEARLY ALL THE PARKS.
Headquarters Opened at the Ebbitt
Hou.e-GeneraI Torrance Much
Pleased with Committees Work.
,.cIaI to the Indianapolis Journal.

special the Indianapolis jOurndl
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4.--Washington put
on her Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes pre-
paratory to receiving the veterans and
thousands OF others who will visit the
capital next week, during the thirty-frst
National Encampment of the Grand Army
OF the Republic. The local committee
in charge estimates that 100000 visitors Will
be in Washington At the start they esti-
mated the number at 10000. Conditions
have caused them to change their esti-
mates. The first and most important reason
for this Is that the railroads throughout
the country have made no special endeavor
10 induce people TO attend the encamp-
ment They already have about all the
business they can attend to and can see
no money in hauling people for 1 cent
mile when they have so much other Dust
ness which pays them double or more IMAM
notwithstanding the fact that the crowd
will not be as large as was expected, tnere
is no doubt that IL will be large enough,
and washington Intends to show these
people how a city can entertain guests al
most as numerous as its own family. The
sands OF yards Of bunting. Hundreds OF
men have been and at work on the
large buildings, and by Sunday night the
work will be completed, and the city VIII
CERTAINTY a Soy anu -
The District officials have been preparing
for the gathering for three months. Extra
help has been employed to dress the parks.
In each OF the scores of parks a pretty
flower bed has been arranged to represent
one of the army corps badges. These flow
ers are very beautiful and will attract
great deal OF attention. The commission
ers for two weeks have had a large force
nfr af ri inc he
sidewalks. Every little hole has been
looked after and the night before the en-
campment the streets will be flooded with
water. Never before in its history Will
Washington look as clean and gaudy.
Washington people like TO entertain peo-
pie when they are assured that they Will
fers to the business men who are called on
TO make contributions. The last Inaugural
ton was not a success from business
mans standpoint. The crowd was small
and those who were here did not spend
enough money. This encampment will sat-
isfy them, as II is absolutely necessary
for 100000 people to spend quite pile Of
money.
Every person in Washington who has a
spare room has advertised 1t for rent
during the encampment week. These peo-
pie are not renting their rooms because
they want the money but because the local
OF the people. They have consented and
the price of the rooms viii be very reason
able.
The reveiewing stands along the line of
the parade, which are now being construct
ed. do not need the window-glass protection
which has of late become general for in
auguration. in spite of the Righteousness of
viewing an out-of-door procession from be-
hind glass and the rather melancholy eff
which i
IL the poor ventilation. has on the specta-
tors. A similar contrast is afforded in the
use of tents. Washington Is peculiarly
suited for the entertainment of people in
this way; its spacious open lots about the
monument and in the very heart of the
city, afforded every inducemnt for the
newal of the tented field, and not least
among the picturesque features of the COM
ing encampShent will be the resemblance to
the use of tents would not be feasible in
early March. and so one very important
adjunct to the emergency accommodations
of the city is lost.
There has been great progress In the con-
struction OF reviewing stands in the last
fifteen years. They have now reached a
systematical basis. and by the adoption of
certain standards of size and elevation, pro-
lection. etc, relieve Pennsylvania avenue
of much unnecessary ugliness. The next
step in this line should be the construction
OF reviewing stands that can be taken
apart and put together again as occasions
arise. Every such structure now in course
of construction bears the sign announcing
that its lumber will be sold at a cut rate,
for delivery after Oct. II, and that con-
tracts for IL may now be made. The loss
from the cutting up Of substantial timber
must be much greater than would be the
interest and insurance on the cost of a re-
viewing structure which could be put up
and taken down; and the occasions of
their not infrequent here. Already
the seats are supplied by dealers who keep
on hand great quantities of low-priced un-
painted chairs Ii would be well If the
proposed portable reviewing stands could
provide more comfortable seats
The city has been placarded with his
torical markers with thoroughness that
promises to convey a good deal of informa-
ton TO the oldest inhabitant" about the
streets and lots with which they have been
In lifelong association.
National headquarters for the encamp-
ment were opened to-day at the Ebbitt
House by Gen. Ell Torrance. communicating
chief of that body. On duty at the hotel
with their chief are the following MEM
bers OF the general stan: Col John McEl-
er-in-chief; Gen. Silas III. Towles, of Min
neapolis. adtutant general; Col. A. Noel
Brakeman, of New York, chief of STAFF.
Col. W. A. Wetherbee, of Boston. inspector
general and Justice L. w. Collins of Min
neapolis, member OF the nationa! executive
committee During the day General Tor
rance, accompanied by members of his
staff called the President. They also
made a call at the Office OF the citizens
committee. and while there expressed them
selves as much gratifed with the prepar-