Evening star., 1907-10-22
AN "OLD HOME WEEK"
Why Not Have One in the
Capital City?
FORMER WASHINGTONIANS
To Be Given the Glad Hand of
Welcome.
ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
Should Be Begun Now, for the Cele-
bration Could Not Be Planned
for at Once.
ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR

"Why not an 'old-home week for Wash
ington"' suggested a public-spirited citi
zen to Star man this morning.
"Our sister city. Baltimore, has beer
extending the glad hand of welcome te
former resident and visitor alike will
such good grace and hearty gree ting, ant
has made such a success of it, that
fail to see any good reason why the capi,
tai cannot have a home-welcoming time
of her own.
''The 'old-home week recently conclud-
ed at Boston was such bowling success
that the fame of the Hubs celebration tc
her returning sons and daughters ant
the sons and daughters, to say nothing OF
the sisters, aunts and other relatives
from less favored localities has spread
over the land.
A Capital Welcoming.
LAS yet. however. have seen no sug-
gestion here that we do a little quiet pre-
lfminary whooping it up ourselves and
! later, at the proper time, turn ourselves
loose In our famous and proverbial well
coming way and show other cities that
| when it comes to a real, up-to-date ex-
tending Of the happy hand to former old
and young Washingtonians and the tens
of thousands of would-be-but-can't- t-leave-
| home WashingtOnians we are the genuine
windjammers. the main performers in the
| big circus tent. and that all other "old-
home weeks are the sideshows.
| OF course, 1t cannot be expected that
a celebration of this character can be ar
| ranged for and all details consummated
| at once, but the preliminary and ulti-
| mate arrangements are largely matter
OF detail. as the accommodation Of crowds
| of visitors within our gates Is practically
an everyday affair with US.
A Popular Celebration.
"The example having been set by other
cities, methods of procedure, daily pro-
gram Of events and other details of the
celebration can be proflted by when we
essay our attempt to fall into line with
our turn at showing what we can do to
make things pleasant to those who ac-
cept our invitation to come to the capi-
tai and take supper with US.
II am satisfied that the movement, if
once started in this city, would meet with
instantaneous popular approval; that the
necessary committees and the required
funds, which would not be excessive
could be arranged for with ease and will
ingness g1
Of The Star would lend their influential
aid in making the celebration one long to
be remembered by all who participate in
it. and it cannot be doubted that from all
aspects 'Washington's old home week
would eclipse all other like events.
The Oriole City Show. :
"Why. went over to the Oriole city to
see what kind Of performance our good
neighbors put up, and I was surprised at
the throngs that packed the thorough
fares Of our sister city-in fact, 1t Is no
exaggeration to state that l was remind
ed of our own Inauguration crowds, and
am satisfied that / voice the sentiments
Of every loyal Washingtonian that If Bal
| timore can trot out such an Illuminated
| and musical band wagon, with such a fine
parade, we can go them several points to
! the good when we get robustly active our
selves.
1--WE have every advantage in our favor
| over other cities. Every good American
wishes to see. If only once, the capital
of the nation and an .old-home week
| tive of the time and the season selected
! for such an occasion.
| Then we have all kinds of show places
| that other less favored communities
| haven't got, all easily accessible and all
| free to those who choose to enter. Our
| thoroughfares are the finest for march
| ing purposes, and our committee on city
| illuminatiOns wouldn't have to sit up
| nights worrying with problems as to how
| to display strings Of electric bulbs to the
| very best advantage.
| =. The Nations Chief Hunter.
1--WE have also the house of the nation
| chief bear hunter situated within our
| city limits, and even if all Of our visitors
might not be able to obtain personal
4 view OF this gentleman and of the skin