Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-04-25

two miles through the finest resi-
dence sections and Forest park to the
triumphal causeway, leading from the
entrance of the exposition grounds
to the liberal arts building. A broad
asphaltum way will carry the col
umn, between the finished fronts of
five exposition buildings, decorated
with the flags of all nations. The pres
ident will review the parade from the
grand stand in the Court of Monu-
ments, the principal vista of the fair.
Luncheon served by the exposition
directorate at the Administration
building will regale the president and
guests until 1870 p. m, when a grand
band concert by 30 bands announces
the prelude to the dedicatory ceremo-
MES. The doors of the Liberal Arts
building will admit $4,000 persons, to
be seated under the direction of
guards and ushers. a grand stand at
the north side will seat 5000 guests.
Accommodations for 400 newspaper
correspondents are provided immedi-
ately beneath and in front of the
presidents rostrum. On the west side,
$50 feet from the president, chorus
of 5000 voices, selected from the lead
ing singing societies of st. Louis and
an augmented band of 200 pieces will
render the masters.
Promptly at o'clock the vast as
sembly will be called to order by
David Il. Francis, president of the ex-
position. Cardinal Gibbons, in the
scarlet vestments of a prince of the
Roman Catholic church, will lend a
touch of color to the brilliant scene
when he advances to the front of the
presidents rostrum and delivers the
invocation. Thomas II. Carter, presi-
dent of the Worlds Fair national
commission, will be announced as the
president of the day. A choral and
band rendition of ''The Heavens Pro-
claiming" will precede the presenta-
ton of the buildings by President
Francis to the president of the United
States. President Roosevelt will then
make the dedication address. I'm
mediately at the close of the presi-
dents words, the grand chorus Will
thunder, unfold Ye Portals Former
President Grover Cleveland, the ora
tor of the occasion will deliver pam
egyric. Bishop f. r. Hendricks, of
the Methodist church will pray and
the Rt. Rev. Henry c. Potter, of
New York, will speak the benediction
\ centennial salute of 100 guns closes
the program.
At o'clock the pyrotechnic display
begins in front of the grand stand,
near the administration building. The
length of this production is suggested
by the % numbers which it includes.
About 10000 persons can witness the
spectacle from the grand stand. 1t
is estimated that it Will require three
hours, from 8 to IL o'clock, to burn
tons of powder that the fireworks
king has piled on the ground. Henry
Pain has promised to surpass any
thing he has done and the monument
al character of some of his cards
seem to assure a magnificent display.
The sensation of the evening Will be
the ascension of seven great gas bal
looms controlled by experienced aero
nauts. At a great altitude the OPP
orators fire salute of aerial guns.
The largest vessel drops huge
American flag in pyrotechnics. 400
feet long by 200 feet wide. An aerial
salute of 81 guns greets the appear
L
the signal for dropping from the six
other balloons, the pyrotechnic flags
of the six great powers. Each flag
is $50 feet by 100 feet.
Another conspicuous number will
be the Festival Hall and the Cascade
Gardens of the Worlds Fair, done in
fire on a set piece 500 feet long by 60
feet high, the exact vertical height Of
the genuine cascades. Streams of OPP
alescent fire will fall over the cas-
cades. Other numbers include every
thing that is known to the science of
pyrotechnics. Aside from the mere
pageantry of the military parade of
the first day, the demonst ration is in
tended to impress several thousands
of American citizens and her foreign
guests with the fitness of both the
regular army of the republics sol
diery and its national guard. This
being the end sought by the national
commission, only the best types of
troops will appear in the parade
United States engineers, artillery,
cavalry and infantry will represent all
arms of the service. The battalions
will parade in every kind of uniform
adopted by the war department.. The
new cavalry dress, the khaki of the
field, the fatigue, and the latest olive
drab battle cloth will be shown ON
different battalions.
Catching the spirit of this educa-
tional mobilization, the state author
tiles have picked only the best drilled
and equipped troops for the show.
New York is sending complete regi-
ment of companies selected by the
adjutant general of that common
wealth, from the crack regiments.
Ohio is preparing to send the 1st, End,
3rd, and 4th regiments. Missouri will
contribute her 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th
regiments. The 1st Missouri will do
police duty on the exhibition grounds
and therefore will not take part in the
parade.
Illinois intends to be represented
by the 4th regiment and the second