The San Francisco call., 1903-12-25


IN San Francisco next September, is
destined to become memorable in the
history Of California as the greatest
and most notable event that has ever
taken place in the State, as well as in
the annals Of Templarism.
All roads lead to California in
1904" is the motto of all sir knights
east Of the Rockies. and it gains in
volume and strength as the months
pass. 'Au roads lead to San Francis
co next September resounds the echo
throughout the Pacific Coast Thou
sands Of persons have been looking
toward that great event and preparing
for the visit to the metropolis by the
Golden Gate for almost three years,
and San Francisco will probably house
az that time a larger number Of stran-
gers than ever before, not excepting
the period Of the recent Grand Army
Encampment.
Many San Franciscans have a vivid
recollection of the Templar conclave
held here in 1883. nor have they for
gotten the magnificent display by the
cream Of American manhood parading
the streets OF the city, cheered by
many thousands, residents and visitors,
the greatest spectacle ever witnessed
on the Pacific slope.
REMEMBER LAST CONCLAVE.
Tradesmen still speak Of the former
conclave and recall visions of the
streak Of gold left in the path Of the
visitors They will welcome them
again, more heartily than ever, as will
the whole population. To insure the
greatest success and to eclipse all for
naer events for which San Francisco
has earned the most enviable reputa-
ton as a convention city, the Grand
COmmandery Of California and the
subordinate communicates, with their
committees, have been attending TO
the preliminaries for almost two years
and have been laying up a fund for the
most lavish entertainment and recep-
tion possible. The Grand Commandery
Of California has thus far put aside
$4,000 and expects to increase the
amount to nearly $50. 600 by next Sep
tember. California Commandery will
have fund Of about $4,000, while
Golden Gate Commandery expects to
have about $4,000. The commando
ries from Oakland, Sacramento, San
Jose and all the larger cities in Cali
fornia viii probably contribute to the
entertainment fund from $4,000 to
$4,000 each, which viii swell the
total TO a much larger amount than
has ever been expended in entertain
ing any body of visitors. All this vast
sum Of money comes from the frater-
nifty and is to be expended in enter
tanning
The Mechanics Pavilion has been Sc
cured for the main gathering place and
continuous entertaining, aside from
what the Grand COmmandery and the
subordinate bodies viii do at their sep
arate headquarters. It will be one
round cf festivities from the time the
Templars step on San Francisco soil
until they leave. The expense Of the
Illumination which Is to surpass in
dazzling brilliancy even that which has
made San Francisco famous in recent
years. the street decorations and many
other attractions demanding large ex-
penditure viii be betrayed through diff
ferent sources
VAST THRONG EXPECTED.
That San Francisco is justified in
expecting the largest attendance in its
history may be inferred from the re-
port made by the hotel committee
through its chairman. W. -. Growall,
who has been in correspondence with
Communicates throughout the country
for the last year ana a half Basfng
his estimates upon reliable information.
he predicts that 50 600 visitors viii come
from east Of the Rockies and fully as
many more from the Pacific Coast
States and Territories More than 5000
Sir Knights had secured accOmmoda-
ton for the conclave up TO last Sep
tember, Just one year IN advance Of
the event. and ihey were booked ex-
actly as they desired. in the very best
hotels. Late applicants had TO take
second choice, though there is ample
room for all that may come. Out Of
the thirty-nine Grand Communicates
, that are coming thirty-two have Sc
cured headquarters at the Palace. Of
the subordinate communicates 125 have
secured accommodations and headquar-
ters at hotels and boarding houses in
al parts OF the city and most of those
viii entertain at their quarters. It is
now estimated that 5000 Sir knights
viii parade and that they will be cheer
ed by $50 00o enthusiastic spectators.
Most Of the Sir knights write that
they viii bring their wives and mem
bers Of their families.
COME FROM MANY POINTS.
The following were among the earliest
70 apply for accommodations and they
secured first -.oice:
Sutton Commandery New Bedford Mass:
Hugh &c Payens Commandery. Merose Mass.
william Parkmsn and Coeur de Lion COM
nanderies of Boston. Mass: Hamilton Com
maEderg. Bridgeport. Conn. Trinity Com
nsndery. Hudson Mass: Holy Sepucher Com
rnandcry Pawtucket. r. l.: Washington
Cormsndery. Hartford, Conn: New Haven
Coumsncery. New Haven. Conn: Pilgrim
Commandery. Harrisburg, Pa: Hanseiman
Comuandery. Cincinnati. Ohio: Pitfsburg Com
rnaudery. PfttsbUrg. Pa: Reading Commandery
Reading. Pa. Tancred Commandery Pitts
burg Pa Mary Commandery Philsdelphfa.
Occur Dc Lion and Melita commanderies Scran-
ton. Pa: Baldwin Commandery Wiiliamsport
Pa Louisville Commandery. Louisville XIV.
Malta Cornmandery. Brming CHAM y Y: Little
Rock Commandery. Little Rock Ark Ivanhoe
Con1rnandery. Milwaukee. Wis: De Molav and
Boston c0-nmanderies. Boston. Mass; Oregon
Commsndrry. Portland. Or: Portland Com
rnandery. Portland Ne: De Molay Command