The Detroit times., 1913-03-04
Cab,tal Filled Win
Tbrong of Visitors

Extraordinary facilities OF Wash
ington to handle mammoth crowds
and special preparations for 100000
visitors expected, were put to a
severe test today. A reception com
mittee OF 1000 citizens was in charge,
assisted by 1000 police and detec-
tives
Public comfort stations at every
important intersection along Pennsyl
vania-ave, were crowded. The gigan-
tic Union station was the center Of
congestion. It's 40 tracks have been
unloading a train of visitors almost
every three minutes since yesterday.
In the terminal yards were dozens of
special trains. which military and
civic organizations used as improvis-
! ed hotels.
Bureaus of information were estab-
lished by the citizens committee In
all public places of the city. They
are operated day and night. High
school cadets and a small army of
uniformed guides, Boy Scouts, and
others piloted visitors to hotels and
boarding houses.
Despite precautions, prices scared.
Cab drivers tariffs were boosted sur
reptitiously. Visitors bid against each
other for their services; also for
rooms and cots Sleeping quarters
were at a premium. Every room In
every hotel had been engaged long
| in advance. State organizations, poll
teal and marching clubs, had whole
suites "Open house was kept by
many Democratic clubs.
Militia. soldiers. and sailors were
quartered in public schools, the Dis
trict of Columbia court house, and
various municipal buildings. Many
slept In the halls of the state, war,
and navy department building
| Because OF the suffragette pageant
yesterday, the large part Of the visi-
tors came here earlier than in pre-
vious years. But they plan to leave
earlier tonight, because OF the aban-
donment OF the inaugural ball.
Seats and windows for the parade
today were at a premium. Tiny win
dows sold for from $40 to $50. Police
orders prohibiting use of boxes, bar
rels. camp stools or other seats on
sidewalks boosted prices for grand
stand and other vantage points. But
the boxes were in use Just the same.
| FTOn Tic tdDitOl " th' NNh'hhN
west side, Of the White House on
Pennsylvania-ave.- we're banked al
most solidly by the temporary grand
stands, private and public. Their
capacity was estimated at lO0,OVVsper-
sons Twice that number occupied
windows and standing room on the
sidewalk. roofs. balconies and steps,
or hung to pillars ana iampposts.
Fakirs and lunch wagons did
thriving business The streets were
alive with vendors OF souvenirs,
flags, buttons bearing likenesses or
near-portraits Of Wilson and Mar
shall: coffee, sandwiches, fruit and
all sorts OF edibes. Saloons. With re-
inforced crews OF bartenders. were
swamped with trade.
Roping on of Pennsylvania-ave.. for
the parade increased the congestion.
All vehicles were ordered off the ave
nue. at an early hour this morning.
Signs were placed everywhere TO
aid and direct strangers. Red Cross
hospital stations were established
every few blocks, Ambulances clang-
ed frequently to and from hospitals.
Seven hundred prominent citizens,
appropriately bidged, were sworn In
today as special police, TO serve as
g'Ndes ard polite as we'll. There were
90 secret sersicG men TO watch over
President Wilson.
Protection vas furni,hed the
crowds by the 1000 local police aud
/ 900 specials" Several hundred de-
Electives from the large ei les of all
parts OF the country assisted in de.
tecung pickpockets and ether erin.
inals yho always swarm here for
linaugurals. As . result the jails were