Evening star., 1909-03-05
FINE AERIAL DISPLAY.
Exhibition of Fireworks Wit
messed by Thousands.
PLANS ARE DISARRANGED
Attempt to Show Set Pieces and Por-
traits Given Up.
RAW WIND CHILLED THR0NG
President Taft and Guests See the
Pyrotechnics From the South
Portico Of White House.
RAW WIND CHILLED THR0NG

Aerial pictures in fire and smoke aud
Colors were part OF the closing features
Of the ceremonies attending the inaugu
ration OF President Taft and Vice Presi-
dent Sherman. The display was pro-
nource. the finest ever seen in Wash
ingtcn.
Most everybody in Washington was ont
doors last night and many who were In
doors and had windows facing the south
west witnessed the pyrotechnics
Wind and weather especially wind op
Grated against the fireworks display on
the White Lot. just slush and wind
operated against the big parade earlier
in the day. The program originally pre-
pared by Pain was shortened because
OF tho high wind, which blew cold from
the northwest.
The heavy snow. too. served to disar-
range the plans and program. 1t became
necessary to secure the service of car
penters to repair the framework. and at
temptS to carry out the exhibition OF
set pieces had to be abandoned entirely
because of the snow and softness of the
earth.
Much disappointment was manifested
because of the failure to show the por-
traits in fire of the new President and
Vice President.
Withal Cuno II. Rudolph, chairman of
the committee fireworks, and his COM
uitteemen were compimented and heart
lily congratulated on the excellent dis
play that was made i'll the face of such
adverse conditions.
Watched From the White House.
The most interested group of watchers
as the bombs exploded and flashes of fire
shot high into the air and other pyro-
technical things happened was stationed
the south portico of the White House.
1t comprised President Taft and his fam
lily and guests of the President.
The time fixed for the display Of fire.
works was 7:30 o'clock. but because Of
the interference of the tickle weather
dame with the plans it was long after
O'Clock before the reverberating thunder
of the first gun of the national salute sent
its echoes flying in a thousand directions
in the frosty atmosphere. Then followed
explosion after explosion; high above the
heads of the crowds. resembling bom-
bardment in real warfare.
The earth was covered to depth or sew
eral inches with crusty snow, and the
wind blew in chilling blasts. Those who
went TO the ellipse last night braved pneu
monia and deied the laws of health in
standing on the soggy turf and mushy
roadway.
Following the national salute other ex-
plosions occurred in rapid succession and
pictures were painted in fire against the
dark masses of storm clouds that We're
being driven in confusion across the Ze-
NTH by the propelling forces of Old Bo-
reas.
Night Scene in Fairyland.
Then the srowclad surface Of the
White House ellpse and the Monument
lot was transformed into night scene
in fairylsnd by the explosion Of $50 pris-
matte fires, which changed color five
times, and shed their yariegated tllunina-
lion upon ice-covered trees and foliage
and whitened fields of snow. with the
mass of people in somber contrast.
Artificial daylight shed its radiance
upon the scene from the illumination
which preceded from twenty-one mag
nesunl balloons. As the air vessels
swayed and darted hither and thither in
the gale the scene was highly spec
tacular.
Suddenly from the earth there shot up
toward the peak of the hagh white shaft
OF the Washington Manument q great
flock of wrigsling, twisting. cavorting
fire snakes. Next came shower of fire |
and gold dust, following the explosion In |
midair of twenty-five sun-cluster rocket
bombs.
flower garden in fire was another |
splendid number. showing flowers that /
blazed in every hue of the rainbow
The crowd applauded loud and long
when fifty large bombs with a crashing
explosion went high into the air. and
by an electrical arrangement displayed
the national shield. depicting the star
af,oat as it gradually descended by a |
series of parachutes.
Lofty Pillar of Light.
Other features of the display were |
triple pillar OF light. 100 feet high, ar
ranged in five tiers. which made the sur
rounding scene as bright as day; hanging |
chain rocket bombs the ascent CT fifty |
fey whirlwinds, which shot in every di-
rec:ion: battery of 800 stars. salvo
Of twenty-five mammoth 30-inch repeat
ing bombs. with repeated changes in mid
aoir; ascent of prize steroids. After chang
ing color repeatedly, each floating light
became an incandescent star and finished
with q bouQuet--a shower of muti-col-
oled sparkling lights.
Still other brilliant numbers We're horal
bouquets, produced by the electrical dis
charge of bombs, eiecting American
beauty roses and the green shamrocks of
Ireland, the repeating bomb display: am
Der fires, giving a tropical sunset erect,
aerial wil-o'-the-wisps, and spideriand.
produced by the electrical discharge OF
fifty large bombs, emitting colossal spi-
ders in fire. the insects creeping across
The SKY, accompanied by flashing light
ming.
\ stream of snow with FIRE was emitted
from two stationary fountains and Mi
agara." presenting a steady downward
stream OF white fire ELECTED loud cheers
lie display e1lUeO Will ltc SiiiuitHicouS
discharge OF fifty large bombs. followed
by showers of sparks and the crowd
melted away and converged into the
streets leading 10 the business section OF
the city where there was i'll progress an
Inprogrammed carnival of fun on Penn |
srIvauia avenue. in which the visiting
soldiers and civilians we're noisy but good |
natured participants. Others in evening |
dress proceeded to the pension building |
10 attend the inaugural ball and be in |
evidence at the first social function of |