The Washington herald., 1907-04-14


for President Roosevelt to press the key
tomorrow evening that viii cast upon
the spectacle the glow OF thousands of
electric lights and officially open the
great Masonic Fair 10 the public Of
Washington.
Constructively. little remains 10 be
done. but to-day and tomorrow hordes
Of members of the different local chapters
and lodges of the order viii swarm about
the booths and paviIions. preparing their
displays fl the most attractive manner
possible in anticipation Of separating the
casual visitor from his gold for the good
OF the cause.-The Masonic Temple fund.
Canopy of Four Immense Flags.
The old. iron-girded hall never pre-
sented more attractive spectacle than
the visitors tomorrow evening viii be
ushered in upon. The great arched roof
IS hidden BY the expanse Of four of the
largest American flags ever made. With
their unions Joined al the center of the
structure 70 make one huge square of
blue and white. the red and white bars
of these enormous flags streach out to
the four corners of The hall and dro0p
iH brilliant folds to the floor. Each
flag measures Toe by 200 feet. and the
four together would nearly envelop the
Washington Monument from base to
pyramidal cap.
On the main floor OF the hail stand
twcnty-siN booths. symmetrically ar
ranged in rows. and an precisely alike
in dimensions and design, Octagonal in
shape, with eight Ionic columns Joined
by steamers of white to a central and
higher column. and with "a slender vine
of smilaN spiraled about each column,
nothing more tasteful and ap-
uropriate can be imagined than
these booths which tomorrow evening
VIII be laden with merchandise of
every description and attended by
bevies of fair "AIasons. whose efforts
viii be directed toward waylayiug the
uRWary passer-by and inyeigling HIN.
her. or ii into making a purchase. Each
booth bears a sign denOting the chap
ter or lodge TO which ii is assigned and
atsthe top Of each column dr0ops q
banner. either Masonic or national in
color and design.
Carpenters Put on Final Touches.
Fully fifty carpenters rent the air with
the noise of their trade from morning
until late last night rushing the final
constructive work. The booths them
selves had all been built, IN parts, in New
York. ana there remained but 10 assem-
bie the parts and drive few nails. But
there are TO be stands and pavilions of
all sorts and descriptions, to catch the
eye and loosen the purse-strings of the
visitors, apd it was upon these that the
energies of the knights Of the saw and
T square were bent, while squads of
workers scrupulously removed from the
floor the stains of the graphite skate
wheels that have been ground into the
Wood during the halls service as a roller
skating rink.
In the annex another small army of
men and women labored TO get things in
shape for the grand opening. There are
several distinctive features planned in
tie building adjoining the main hail. and
connected with il by a little covered
bridge. IL IS here that the young couples
may so and spend the evening hours
dancing in the yellow and white draped
pavilion in charge of Harmony Lodge,
Willing away the interval between
dances by absorbing ice cream and cake
at the tables that range the room on
all sides of the dancing floor.
Everything that can contribute TO the
comfort and entertainment of the visitors
and incidentally appeal to their spending
proelivities, has been provided for by the
thoughtful and efficient management of
the fair. There are several rest and re-
eeption rooms for men and women. and
an emergency hospital with five neat
White cots and medical appurtenances for
the care Of any who should be taken IN
or injured in the crowd.
The masses Of fabric used in decorating
tRe building. as well as all Of the wood
work. have been subjected to the most
thorough fireproOfng process. and yes
terday, when Chief Belts representative
went from place TO place applying his
gasoline blower he could not raise so
much as a spark The regulations re-
garding emergency exits have all been
complied with. and nothing that is condu-
Give 10 the safety or comfort of the pub
lie seemingly has been overlooked.
AS for the entertainment provided for
the visitors. there is little 10 be said be-
yond stating that there will be side shows
and museums, and everything on sale or
for distribution by voices" from two
large burgiar-proof safes and a S.. 900
house to put them IN 20 a china tea cup.
Yearly Sob,UJD worth Of material has al
ready been received at the fairs packing
room in the basement of the annex, and
to-day the distribution Of the merchan
disc 10 the various organizations having
booths viii be made.
New March VIII BE Played.
over the entrance to the main han Prot.
Haley and his excellent band VIII dis
course popular programmes throughout
The afternoon and evening Of each day.
a feature of the music programme viii
be the rendition several times each night
of a rev march, entitled "The Direc-
tOr General. specially composed for the
fair by Charles 6. Heitinger, of Wash
ington, who has given 600 copies of the
march for distribution during the fair
At s o'clock tomorrow evening Presi-
dent Roosevelt viii press the same gold
key with which he opened the St. Louis
and Portland expOsItions. and at the touch
the 5000 tncandescent lights that cover
the booths and outline each girder of the
spacious structure viii burst into fame.
Rev. Or. Joseph Dawson will then deliver
the invocation. He viii be followed by an /
address from r. F. Smith, president of
the fair. and Commissioner Mcfarland /
VIII welcome the public, the ceremonies
closing with a short address by Grand /
Master Francis D. Woodman. who form /
aiiy VIII open the fair. The public viii /
then, cordially. be invited to loosen"
Cannot supply the Property.
Fohr y fee-ol,.o Co. 49,. 49,.