The Washington herald., 1909-08-10

A delegation from the Washington
Chamber OF Commerce. headed by VIII
liam F. Guide. president, and composed
or Louis Hartig Robert Mentzel. and
Frederick Eisel and accompanied by
more than 500 representatives, from the
various Masonic lodges OF this city, jour
neyed down to Colonial Beach yesterday
on the steamer ST. Johns TO attend the
opening OF the Masonic Fair
Elaborate preparations have been IN
progress for several months past by the
members OF tho newly-organized Colonial
Beach lodge, under whose auspices the
fair Is being conducted. The new lodge
was recently formed, with a membership
OF fifty. but during the last few months
the organization has grown 10 such an
extent that it now ranks well up among
the lodges OF the State OF Virginia.
The fair al the outset proved itself
great drawing card 10 the people Of the
surrounding country. and al during the
early part Of the day a steady stream
OF vehicles and other conveyances poured
into the town. until by the time the cere-
monies were scheduled 10 begin more
than e,ooo people were assembled.
W. r. GUIDE Speaks.
William F. Guide was invited by the
mayor OF Colonial Beach, w l. Watkins.
and also by the officials OF the new or
ganiZauon 10 deliver the opening Grafton
Upon the arrival OF the steamer St.
Johns. carrying the delegation Of Wash
ington Masons. headed by Deputy Grand
Commander c. c. Sled and John Martin.
the visitors were met at the wharf by a
reception committee. headed by Mayor
Watkins. who formally presented the
keys Of the city and escorted the visitors
20 the auditorium. where the ceremonies
were scheduled 70 take place
The fair was opened with prayer by
Rev J. j. Hartley. pastor OF the Colonial
Beach Episcopal Church. after which
Mayor Watkins delivered the address OF
welcome TO he visiting delegations
Mayor Watkins dwelt upon the great
strides made during the past season by
the resort and called attention 20 the
great number OF improvements which are
continually being installed. He asked
that the people OF Washington look more
carefully into the great advantages OF
Colonial Beach over all other beaches IN
a radius OF many miles and by so doing
he felt the obvious superiority Of the
beach 20 any other resort would be self
evident
Among other things. he spoke OF the
contemplated railroad connecting Wash
ingtOn directly with the beach, and said
that IL was merely a question Of a short
imo before suc1 d project would % actu-
ally launched. Indeed, ne said thar the
preliminary steps had already been COM
pleted. and actual construction work
would DE begun Ell an early date and
rushed 70 completion.
Thanked Visiting DeIeEatiOn.
At the conclusion Of his address. ne
thanked the members Of the Washington
delegation IN his own name and in The
name OF his fellow-townsmen. and said
that he hoped that IN the future they
would be more frequent visitors at the
resort
IN reply Mr.. GUIDE said that he could
not praise 700 highly the great work
that has been done during the last year
and is continually being performed by
the hustling citizens Of the popular 1t
tie city, and he heartily congratulated
them upon the way in which they had
surmounted every difficulty THIS Ear. He
could see, he said. in the resort ~
ture Coney Island. and that il could be
but question OF time before the much
needed transportation facilities would be
installed, which would put the beach IN
easy reach Of not only washington, but
Baltimore as we'll
lie was surprised. he said. by the
changes that have been made FOR the
better IN the short time which had
elapsed since his last visit, and he said
that wonderful as IS the work which has
already been performed. he urged his
hearers not to falter but 10 push on at
once toward the goal which they had
set for themselves. a greater Colonial
Beach.
At the conclusion Of the ceremonies, the
visitors we're at once taken IN charge by
the members OF the reception committee,
and a general round OF merry-making
was INDUCED in until late in the even
ing. when q portion Of the visiting mem
bers took the. return steamer for Wash
ington. leaving their more conviv!al
brethren TO enjoy the various amusements
which had been prepared for the even
ing's entertainment.
The fair will continue throughout the
week. and a new and interesting pro-
gramme viii be prepared for each day
and evening. Many novel features are
scheduled for the coming week. includ- |
ing events OF an athletic and aquatic |
nature