Evening star., 1909-05-15

why, If such a thing is arranged on
the grand and beautiful scale capable of
being undertaken here In Washington a
hundred thousand people will come to
Washington to see the great show. The
entire country will be talking of it. We
have chance here to prove our worth
and to make the first floral carnival finer
and bigger and more beautiful than any
of those i'm the south and west. Suppose
we had a week Of festival. we would have
the whole country coming to u.s. l would
like nothing better than to see Washing
ton take up this idea and push 1T right
through to a splendid and beautiful eli
max
Will outclass All Others.
Brainard H. Warner has been interested
in the idea of floral carnival for several
years. He has seen them in other cities
and bears very distinct and pleasant
recollection of one in the City of Mexico.
At that time, Mr.. Warner says, there was
nothing in sight but flowers of the most
elegant kind. a great profusion of beauty
and color that seemed to bury the city in
leaves and petals.
II remember. too. that 1 was covered
with confetti" laughed Mr.. Warner, "but
i had a splendid time. AS for a floral
carnival in Washington, I believe that
Washington can arrange for one that
Will outclass any other festival of the
kind in the whole country. Let us get
and everybody do something to bring the
attention of the whole country to Wash
1ngton on that day. There is no better
place to hold such carnival than the
new parkway. but. on the other hand. 1t
might be better to hold it in more
central location. OF course. that is de-
tail that can be worked out later
Everybody who has an automobile or
a horse and carriage ought to get into the
spirit of this carnival and do his level
best to decorate. It's a beautiful thing
and beside that there is no other way of
bringing attention to bear on Washington
In which so many people can help. Every
body will be talking of it in other cities, it
will be in the papers, and there will be
host of people who will come to see it,"
Suggestions as to the Date.
One of the most enthusiastic advocates
of the plan to have an annual flower fete
is j. Fl. Small. president Of the Board Of
Trade. Mr. Small said:
There Is no city In the country that
offers the advantages for such an affair
as Washington. If 1t were held at the
proper time of year there. would be no
doubt. / think. Of its success. But the
psychological moment would have to be
chosen.
In my opinion the best time would be
either the middle of May or the first week
In June. In May snowballs and other in
expensive flowers are in full bloom and
u
roses come In profusion.
To carry out the idea a competent
committee would have to be appointed
early In the year and put to work on the
arrangements in plenty of time.
ut must be remembered that many
Washingtonians are leaving the city in
May or early June. and a date that would
find them still In town would have to be
chosen. Then there is Decoration day,
May 80. The committee would have to
be careful not TO select a date for the
flower fete which would be too close to
Decoration day.
But these are matters that would be
properly settled by any competent COM
mfttee. and ! am sure that if the proper
interest is shown in the affair by the
people of Washington a fete can be ar
rarged which will soon become one of the
noteworthy features of the life of the ma
tion's capital
A Benefit in Many Ways.
Robert n. Harper, banker and broker
and member of the board of directors
of the Board of Trade. expressed the
opinion that flower fe.e would not only
be source of great pleasure to partici-
pants and spectators. but of great value
to Washington in many other ways.
'One of the most beneficial features of
an affair of that sort" said Mr. Harper
lis the friendly rivalry and competition
1t engenders. and which results in various
improvements.
For instance. on the new Potomac
HriVe the best appointed tournouts in
washington may be seen twice a week
Every one who drives there sees to it that
ns horses, coachmen and footmen and ve-
1icfes are in the srilartest condition The
~esuit Is general Improvement In turn
outs In Washington and l predict that
within year there will be more we'll
appointed vehicles here than have ever
been seen before.
la
interested in the flower fete-and they
are sure to he enthusiastic over it-a rare
~ beautiful sight will be presented in
Washington when the fete comes Off Ev-
cry woman will want her automobile Or
earriase TO be the most artistically deco
rated She will also make every effort to
nave the gown she wears on that occa-
sion match the beauty of her equipage.
And If the women of Washington be-
gin vSing with each other to produce
beauty In floral decorations and personal
adornment those who witness the floral
fete and parade will see something worth
coming miles to look at
But In the preparation of a floral pa-
rade care should be taken in the selection
OF committee which would be thoroughly
competent TO pass upon the decorative de-
sign OF every vehicle appearing in the pa
fade The purpose of this would be to
prevent the entry of any freak design or
any scheme TO make joke of the parade
or to detract from its beauty.
iOpc tie pcOpIe O1 washington Will
realize the many benefits that would come
TO the city through such an affair and
that they Will give 1t their prompt and
hearty support"
Fete and Homecoming Celebration.
John b. Larner counsel for the Board
of Trade. is strongly In favor of holding
flower fete in Washington in conjunc-
tion with a general homecoming celebra-
tion. The two, he thinks. should go to-
gether.
Il have long been anxious to see a
homecoming week in Washington" said
Mr.. Larner. and IL during that week
there were to be flower fete Washing
to visitors and be thoroughly enjoyed by
residents and former residents.
Such affairs as flower fetes encourage
the social features of the life of a city,
they interest the people and stimulate a
love OF the beautiful. And anything that
keeps up a proper sentiment is good
Throughout the country there are
thousands of former Washingtonians who
would welcome an opportunity to come
back TO their old home at time when
they would be sure to find most of their
former friends here to join them in
merry king, and a homecoming week
and flower fete combined would be sure
TO bring thousands of people into Wash
ington.''
Would Arouse Civic Pride.
My idea for a flower fete in Washing
ton said Z. II. Droop of the board OF
Of lo Of Trad .sxpp,,