The Washington herald., 1912-01-18
SKATING CARNIVAL
A HUGE SUCCESS

Continued from Page One.
the course. and casting their bizarre re-
fections on the siivery surface Of the
lop.
Among the skaters were two young
women who attracted great attention by
their fantastic dress. They were Miss
Mammie Melick and Miss Margaret Plyhn.
Both OF the young women were dressed
as Indians They wore dresses and coats
OF skin, decorated with strange designs
and trimmed with Eaudy fringe. On
their hats were feathers and beads. Both
had their jet black hair flowing down
their backs in true Indian fashion.
The Disappointed Ones.
Scores of masqueraded skaters who
would undoubtedly have attracted uni
yersal attention on the rink were with
held from the course by the police be-
cause Of the large number of f-skaters
already on the Basin. Thousands of per-
sons who had anticipated engaging in
the sport and entering the carnival were
compelled. after standing impatientIy for
several hours. held in check by the police
to turn homeward without donnlnE their
skates
The management had not anticipated
such large gathering OF skating en-
thusiasts. and consequently the park DO
lice were somewhat unprepared for the
surginE crowd, which almost fought for
entrance to the rink. notwithstanding the
fact that in so doing they were endan-
Rering their lives and the lives OF thou
sands Of others. AS the evening prog
ressed the ice along the edge OF the
course at the loop went little by little
under water. During the evening several
loud cracks were heard. causing great
alarm, but no visible opening could be
found. Red lanters were stationed at
points which were considered by the on
eials unsafe
The ice last night was FIVE inches
deep. 1t was thought at first that the
Ice was much thicker. but an auger was
brought upon the rink. and after a hole
had been bored through tne surface, the
depth was found to be only five inches.
From the basin an endless stream of
vehicles could be traced IN their passage
around the Speedway by their faint
lights. II was estimated that fully
1900 vehicles OF all descriptions were on
were vehicles OF every type. There were
the Speedway during the evening. These
automobiles. there were carriages there
We're cabs. there were taxicaos. and
there were sleighs In the vehicles were
many prominent society people. Some
had intended engaging IN the sport, but
the vast hrong held in check by the po-
lice caused the INTO give up the idea.
Others visited the basin merely TO wit
ness the beauty and brilliancy OF the car
nival and not to participate.
Prepared for Accident.
A detail Of three mounted officers, a
sergeant, and eight policemen from the
metropolitan force. under command OF
Inspector Cross, handled the uafi1c on
the Speedway and the thoroughfares
leading TO the Basin. The police patrol
automobile Of the Second precinct stood
on the Speedway near the boathouse
during the entire evening, prepared In
case OF accident TO rush any injured 10
the hospital at lightning speed
Every class OF residents OF the National
Capital was represented at the carnival.
There were little tirchins trying TO earn
a few pennies adjusting skates, and there
were the beaux and bellies OF washington
society passing up and down the Speed
way i'm their automobiles and gazing upon
the scene on the Basin below them
There were youngsters and there were
aged men gliding over the CLASSY course.
There were sailors and soldiers There
were bigh schol cadets, and there were
throngs Of F street bellies. All Joined
the merry throng Of skating enthusiasts
as one class and one type.
Among the oficlals in charge OF the
carnIvai were DR.. E. c. Meyer. OF the
Tariff Board; DR.. W. B. Hudson super
intendent Of the bathing beach; Z. G.
Palmer and d. Connor, the sculptor. The
committee which assisted the ofncials In
clearing the rink and maintaining order
were A. B. Kiesecker. Paul Scpwetzer'
W 7 Baker. Tom Dolan. and James
DegEs The contribution box was In
ob..,o - nft,. CLEANER Halsey.