Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-26
OPENING OF LUNA PARK
IMPROVEMENTS AND ADDITIONS
SINCE LAST YEAR.

Realizing long in advance that the crops
In the surrounding country might be in
need Of rain May %, the management Of
Luna Park decided upon yesterday for the
opening of the resort for the summer sea-
son of 1907, and Jupiter Pluvius, following
the precedent established opening day last
year, did the rest. Early in the afternoon
just about the hour the crowds Of pleasure
seekers were expected to put in an ap-
pearance at the park gates ]. Pluvius and
the District weather man were reported to
be in executive session. From an authors
tative source afterward 1t was learned one
of them agreed to furnish all necessary
moisture and the other special consign-
ment of refrigerated atmosphere. alter
events at the park proved the authenticity of
the information, because drizzles. showers
and semi-wintry breezes predominated from
the last Luna Park special on the WASH
ington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon
railway drew away from the gates.
Aside from the unpleasantness of the
weather. however. Luna Park shone forth
yesterday in all its pristine glory, and
many Improvements and additions to the
list of concessions are there this year to
make the resort more attractive than ever.
Newly laid walks of granolithic concrete
have taken the place of the cinder paths.
and all the open spaces have been beau
tilted with grass and shrubbery. Catering
to the fad Of the day, the management has
installed a roller skating rink. Chief Elec-
trician A. V. Girard has originated many
new electrical effects, and 1t has been said
that he has discovered every heretofore
gloomy corner and decorated 1t with a bulb
of high candle-power. Mr.. Girard was also
responsible for finding a strong clear spring
in the hillside near the park, and at his
suggestion large zinc-lined reservoir has
been constructed, and from it will be drawn
the entire supply of drinking water for the
resort.
Commodious Pavilion.
To shelter music lovers from the ele-
ments, a commodious pavilion has been at
tached to the band shell. The question of
the acoustics of the pavilion were in doubt,
but there were a number of critical listen
ers to the concert yesterday afternoon, and
all pronounced the new stand decided sue
cess. The Royal Berlin Military Band,
Paul Zierold, conductor, opened with the
park, and the usual afternoon and evening
concerts will be given during the ensuing
two weeks engagement of the band, with
other musical organizations to follow
throughout the season.
Undeterred by the doubly dangerous con-
dition of the shoot-the-chute incline on ac-
count of the rain, Harry Rector, a local
bicyclist, made two flying deScents on his
wheel yesterday, each reckless ride ter
mnating with somersault into the almost
icy-cold water. Rector will repeat the per-
Torrance daily this week, and will appear
at the park for another engagement later
in the summer.
A number of special trains were run to
the park last night, but the visitors were
few and the Midway was practically de-
serted all evening. The skating rink and
dancing pavilion, where exercise could be
had to overcome threatened chills, were the
centers of attraction. One two parties,
drawer than the rest, took the water plunge
in the boats of the chute, and there were
occasional patrons of the carousel and
the roller coaster.