The Washington herald., 1909-03-05

All roads led TO the White Lot ellipse
last night. and at least ten thousand men.
women. and children braved the snow
and sIush and did not in the least mind
the icy blasts as they swept across the
open space. in their efforts TO witness tie
magnificent display of fireworks.
The frames which had been erected in
the center Of the lot had been damaged
70 a considerable extent by the snow
storm. but an extra corps of helpers az
once set 10 work and made every effort TO
repair the damage In order 10 have the
programme take place on schedule time
The huge circular lot at the rear OF the
White House was half encircled by "a
surging crowd. the police prohibiting ac-
cess TO the lower half Of the elIipse, be
cause the fireworkers' tents and their
magazines were there
4 Delay at the Start.
Notwithstanding the fact that there was
a little delay ia starting the programme,
the crowd remained good natured and
displayed no impauence. a report was
spread that there would be no fireworks.
as the storm had damaged ard spoiled the
supply.
II was a quarter Of 9 when the first
gun of the national salute sent It's sharp
report through the frosty air. One after
another. the aerial explosions took place.
The national salute was followed Fl
quick succession by the other displays.
each being more brilliant In light and
more magnificent IN color tnan its prede-
c-sSOr.
Two hundred a1d fifty prismatic dreS.
changing color FIVE times transformed
the vast snOw-cCvered space and trees
the branches of which were covered with
crystal icicles. into q scene from fairy
land. a display of rocket bombs was fol
lowed by the ascent OF twenty-1ne mag
EesiCm balloons. which lighted Up the
entire ueiEhborhOCd-
Especially effective were the fiery
snakes as they W-iEgl5d through the
moonlight a fight Of twenty-five sun
cluster rocket bombs bursting into a
magnificent shower Of fiery gold dust
SPARKS formed one Of the most attractive
Numbers Oh the programme.
These were followed by d display show
inE Ere-i-- slrUbberies flowers bushes.
trees E1-[e5 -itl a wealth Of bright
EEht combination Shouts Of applause
greeted "TLe Star Spangled Banner. "
which was produced by the electrical
discharge Z fifty large bombs. arranged
u depict IN aerial national shield. and
which descended slowly and majesticalIy,
kept floating In the air by miniature para
chutes-
The Vari-coIOred display.
o5her displays were: \ triple pillar Of
EGht. leo feet high, arranged in five tiers.
which made the surrounding scene as
bright as day; hanging chain rocket
bombs, tie ascent cf fifty fiery yvhirI-
winds. which shot iu every direction,
battery of go stars, a salvo Of twenty
five mammoth 59-inch repeating bombs,
with repeated changes in miG-a5r. ascent
Of prize ste-oids. After changing color re-
peatedly. each floating light became an
incandesceat star and finished with a
bouquet shower Of muIti-coIored spark
Ing lights
Floral bouquets, produced by the cleo
tricai discharge Of bombs ejecting beauty
roses and shamr0c6s: the repeating bomb
display. each succeeding shell breaking
an increased number OF times special IL
Elimination. with amber fires. rejecting
Al Eastern sunset ascent CT twenty-five
rocket bombs. FREELY and WIll-O--the-W -WIsp
aerial device fred from q gigantic bomb.
The bomb. on reaching its altitude re-
leased an immense canopy IN red and
sold. -hiCh changed 20 a lisht-p0iuted
star with bay0nec Tres FREQ from q G0-inch
mortar; spiderland. produced by the
electrical discharge Of fifty large bombs
which burst into q scene resembling q
the sky. with vivid lightning flashes.
Crowd Was Enthusiastic.
There was a migaty mass Of people sur
rounding the scene. steadily pressing for
ward and inward from ali directions. The
police found it difficult TO control them
The late comers exhibited an arduous
desire to get near TIE center Of opera
tons. and the congestion. at points, sur
passed that Of tie proverbiaI sardine box
Whenever q huge rocket lighted up the
throng in its brilliant glare. men and
women looked IN each others faces with
blinking. uncertain eyes. as if lightning
had flashed before them Their cup ei
happiness was complete as wonder after
wonder was unfOlded
''Oh-o-o-hr' was the brief and awe
struck comment Of femininity as a new
constellation was born IN the sky. The
men gave vent 10 their feelings with deep
throated cheers BY JGve. isn't that q
thriller. thought" and "How's that for q
Fourth of July celehrau uon2-' and remarks
or this piqudut variety were a drug OF
the market
The pyrotechuics formed the introduc-
tory chapter Of the evenings carnival
The uncertain footing vas no detrimeat
10 the crowd. and fer over an hour the
Executive grounds were the focal pOici
for the many thousands of Inauguration
visitors.
SONS OF VETERANS IN TTVE