The Washington herald., 1912-10-24
CROWDS SURGE INTO
HERALD CONTEST HOME
Building at ia Thirteenth Street Formally Opens
While Orchestra Plays, Visitors Are
Given Refreshments

To the strains of Bovello's superb or
chestra, the contest home Of The WASH
ington Herald's $4,000 competition, To-
Gated at ia Thirteenth Street North
west, was formally opened at noon yes
terday. From the opening Of the doors
until the extinguishing of the lights at
II o'clock last night a continuous
stream Of humanity poured in and out
Of the building.
By the opening time a large crowd
had assembled on the pavement in
front of the building. Promptly at II
o'clock, with the whistle sounding and
the bells Of the downtown section ring
ing. The Advocate pushed back the bolt
from the door and thus formally opened
the structure to the public. Simulta-
neously the orchestra. located in the big
bay window Of the second floor, struck
up lively air. The windows were
open. and the strains were waited out
into the street. stirring deeply those
who waited outside.
The contrast from the lowering clouds
and misty atmosphere outside with the
bright and CHEEKY inside was accentuated
through the artistic decorations and
beautiful flowers which GUIDE Brothers
had provided. American Beauty roses
were everywhere and were much appre-
ciated.
Within ten minutes the building was
so crowded with visitors that 1t was
impossible for some persons to enter.
Although later in the afternoon, the
congestion somewhat disappeared. the
building throughout the day remained
well filled. The crowd far surpassed
the expectations Of The Advocate and
his assistants.
The spirit which pervaded the con-
test home all day was delightful to|
imbibe. All OF the visitors seemed on
friendly terms and chatted with each
other about the competition, the con-
test home. and the various awards.
Practically all classes and ages of
persons were represented at the building
yesterday. There were business men,
university students. school children,
housewives, clerks. government en-
ployes. school-teachers. elderly persons
men and women. and boys and girls
Every contestant who visited the build
Ing and registered was credited with 500
votes. Each guest not a contestant was
given 100 votes to cast for his favorite
contestant. The Advocates assistants
were kept busy all day distributing the
votes and recording them. This special
vote offer lasts to-day. tomorrow, and
Saturday.
Served Refresh ments.
The guests were served with Velvet |
ice cream cones, University Club and
Palmer's ginger ale. and w. d. coffee, |
prepared on electric stoves furnished by |
the National Electrical Supply Company. |
The booths at which these refreshments |
were dispensed were thronged through
out the day. The contest management !
will continue to serve these refreshments |
to-day. tomorrow. and Saturday.
The first floor of the building Ii de- |
voted to a display Of the products ad- |
vertised In connection with the competi- |
ton. The booths Of the various manu-
facturers are Hastily decorated with |
hagA banners. bunting. and colored pa
per. and were the cause of much favor
able comment yesterday. Guests were
given demonstrations Of the different
nraduaEA and nanS aalAs uers made