Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-04-25
JAMESTOWN.

stiOn will prove highly successful, but
the possible lack OF light and power Tor
the great electrical display scheduled for
the evening Of the opening is staring Inc
management in the face.
1t is possible that the great electrical
display on land for the opening evening
will have to be greatly cut, though the
electrical efcrls aboard the many war
ships lying in Hampton Rsads, of the
exposition grounds, will likely be carried
through to success. Even though these
unfortunate conditions exist, tbs open
ing-day ceremonies will be resplendent
with grandeur in many particulars that
could not here be described.
The magnifcence of the exposition as
a whole, even in its iucompleted state,
is bound to attract, and even though
visitors will find the fair unfinished,
they will be compelled to laud the man.
agement for what has already been &C
complished. The fact that the fair ia
unfinished will be overlooked by thous.
ands attracted by the splendor OF the
war ships lying in Hampton Roads.
At the general Offices OF the James
town Exposition Company it Is an.
nouuced that the delayed blower needed
to complete the transfer electrical sta
ton on the exposition grounds can be
turned on and tested out today. Upon
the completion OF this transformer sta
ton depends the question OF lights for
the opening night.
1t is declared that the 20, 900 incan-
descent lights which are TO illuminate
the buildings will be all right, and there
will be light In abundance for the gov
ernment and general exhibit buildings
to be opened, aud for such concessions
on the War Path as will be ready.
The electrical display on land will be
most attractive feature Of the expo
sl!ion. Even the incomplete buildings
have been wired, and vari.colored In
candescent bulbs and arc lights put 10
position, so thatou Friday night, shodld
the power be sufficient, there will be
no defects TO mar the beauties OF the
scheme. In addition TO the displays on
the buildings, which are arranged to
show novel figures and set forth the
architectural lines OF the palaces, the
boardwalk, the street, the Lee Parade,
and all other parts Of the exposition
reservations will be so lighted as to carry
on. general plan that will be entirely
harmonious
White standards, about FIVE feet high,
arranged symmetfIcalIy, have been set
up, and on top ofihese have been placed
clusters of electric lamps. This system
takes in every division OF the grounds,
and the lamps are placed so close to-
gether that it is aaid that at night the
grounds will rival daylight, even without
the aid of huudqds of acres and many
electrical fountains. Flagstaff. have been
placed on all he buildings, even those
that are not nearly finished. Each OF
these will bear its flag on tho opening
day and all wilt bsTeieased, to be caught
by the ocean breezes when President
Roosevelt presses the button TO start the
exposition machinery.
Since Tuesday the German cruiser
Room, the German cruiser Bremen, and
the Argentine republic cruiser President
5armiento, haze joined the feet, to-
gether with he monitor ,Miantonomah,
and the old OanonieUs.
She has a coat Of black paint to
distinguish her from the modern mont
tors, and with close inspection can still
be seen in her turrets dents made by
Confederate shells during the civil war.
The arrival of Lieut.. Gov. Chanler,
of New York, will be quickly followed
by the arrival of Gov. Higgins, of Rhode
Island and Gov. Woodruff, of Con-
necticut, together with Rhode Island
and Connecticut State officials, who will
be there for The opening on Friday.
Gov. Stewart, Of Pennsylvania, will
arrive tonight. The goyernors Of North
Caroline, Vermont, and South OafOlina
will also reach the grounds today.
Gov. Swanson, OF Virginia, will be
there today, and Gov. Warlield aud the
Maryland contingent will arrive on Fri
day morning by special boats from Bsld-
more.
At dawn Friday morning the Norfolk
Light Artillery Blues will usher 10 the
day by salute Of 300 guns. This will
notify the thousands Of people who have
came from all over the country that the
time has arrived for the formal opening
Of the Exposition.
When at noon the President presses
the button on the reviewing stand, the
signal will be given for the unfnrlIng of
thousands of aags and the entire ma
chinery OF the Exposition will be set in
motion. At the same moment the ships
that now dot The waters of Hampton
Roads, representing the navies Of the
world, will fire q sslule. The booming
of these will be answered by the roaring
of the cannon st Fort Monroe. The
American fleet of 25 battleships and
armored cruisers, headed by Admiral
Evans flagship, stretches in huge semi
circle across the harbor. by Friday
morning pen-of-w war from Great Britain,
France, Germany, Austria, Brazil and
Japan will be gathered there. As the
President touches the button each Of the
warships will Ere q guns. The bands
upon the Exposition grounds will strike
up "The Star-Spangled Banner. The
President and his party, on the May
flower, are expected TO reach Hampton
Roads before 8 O'Clock. As soon as the
Maydower is sighted the firing OF the
presidential salute Of q guns will be be-
quo.
Following this salute, the President