The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-23
Plan GALA WEEK
EARLY in May A. !
Opening Of Blues Armoiy to Be
Pivot for General Celc-
bration.
MANY FEATURES ANNOUNCE ED
Great Commercial Convention TO
Be Here at That
Time.

With the dedication of the Blues
Armory on May TO- and the attendance
OF probably nearly 1000 members Of
GLIDING the Ancient and Honorable
Artillery Of Boston, two companies OF
the Governors Foot Guard Of Connec-
tcut tho Washington Greys and
others; with the convention OF the
Piano Manufacturers Association be-
ginning but three days later, and with
the possibility that the annual floral
parade Of the Virginia Automobile AS
ISOLATION Will be arranged between
those dates, 1t has been suggested
that this week in May be made a gala
week. and every effort Will be put
forth to that end. The Governor OF
Massachusetts may come with the An
Client and Honorable Artillery, and the
Governor OF Connecticut Is expected
to attend with the two companies OF
the Foot Guard. The possibilityfof n
visit by President Taft, who has been
Society of the Army Of the Potomac,
which will probably be held In Rich
mond early in May, would serve to-
make the week 4one long to be re-
membered and would enhance greatly
the value OF the idea suggested.
There would be thousands of people
in the city in this week. many Of them
being members of the Piano Manu-
facturers' Association, one of the
largest and richest mercantile organ
izations in the country:
Merchants Lend Aid.
1.-The suggestion, 1t Is stated, will be
pushed for ali it's worth, and the Re-
tail Merchants Association will be
asked to lend its aid to the scheme.
Preparations for the dedication Of
the Blues Armory are going on apacc,
and last night, after battalion drill,
Major II. w. Bowlcs announced to the
three companies that the committee
on finance had succeeded in getting a
portion of the money needed to pay
the expense of entertaining so many
visitors, but he said that it would
be found necessary to make every man
In the battalion committee OF one.
every man to raise $50 The contribu-
ton is to be raised in one week, and
all the money is to be in the hands sof
the battalion treasurer next Wednes-
day night, when there will be another
drill of the whole command. To-day the
small army of campaigners Will begin
its work of raising subscriptions Much
depends on It's success, for 1t is the
plan of the Blues not to fall behind
Liie VIEW I.llS itin ucTS III tne matter OF
hospitality. but to equal the lavish
entertainment they afforded the Blues
on their memorable trip TO New Eng
land Two years ago.
Dedication of ArmOry.
The entertainment viii last but two
days-May and 10. 1t will be the
biggest event OF It's kind in the his
tory of the ancient organization. and
every man has promised to do every
thing he can to make 1T such sue
cess Mat it will be as we'll remembered
by the New EnGlanders as Is their trip
North by the Blues. Besides the more
than lao individual committees. there
tees, which meet several times week
to report progress and make new
plans.
Frow now until next "Wednesday will
be strenuous week with the Blues.
and no one who can afford 1t need be
surprised II he be asked to contribute
a mite toward tho fund which will
bring two of the biggest and best MIL
itary organizations in the country to
Richmond and make their stay In the
capital of the Confederacy long re-
membered in their annals. Many va
rled features. including an automobile
parade, which may be part of the
floral parade: a general re.
ception, lunch at the Country Club. and
q grand ball in the Horse Show Builds
Ing nave been arranged. The Horse
SHOW Building is now being repaired
and garnished for the Piano Manufac-
turers Association, and will be in.
splendid condition for the grand march
and parade of the Blues and their
guests j5.,'fT''