The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-05-08
DELEGATES CONFER OVER
PLANS FOR CELEBRATION


could not make any definite promise.
That he had received a large number
'of invitations but owing to the special
session Of congress and the new work
In the presidency had devolved upon
him. he thought it best to make no
promise to attend the celebration.
Your committee has not given up
securing the presence Of President
Wilson. We believe that IL the spec
ial session Of congress adjourns at an
early date. the president will be able
to accept the invitation and be with
us at the celebration.
In compliance with many urgent
requests to Ak a date, the committee
decided to hold the celebration on
August 5. 1913. Since that date was
suggested. many reasons have com
bined to convince your committee that
q later date would be more satisfac-
tory.
1t now seems that congress will adj
Journ earl in August and date in the
latter part of that month will prob
ably be one that will suit the CON
venience, of President Wilson. An
other circumstance suggested the ad-
visibility of later date is that of the
regatta of the Mississippi River Pow
er Boat Association. This regatta is
lof national Importance among those
interested In motor boating.
Owing to the conflicting dates with
other regattas of the Mississippi Riv-
er Power Boat Association could not
be held the week of August 5, but can
tbe held the week of Aug. 26. This
regatta would add greatly in carrying
out plans for the celebration and the
committee in charge of the regatta
Will gladly cooperate with the com
mittee in charge of the celebration and
each be of material assistance in the
success of both the regatta and the
celebration. Therefore, your commit
tee suggests that the celebration be
held August &c, 1913.
! Your committee, after considerable
tdeilberation and conference with
many representatives from different
parts OF the power zone, suggests the
following plan for celebrating the
completion of the dam and power
plant Of the Mississippi River Power
company and the massive modern lock
and dry dock of the United States
government, to wit: That all cities
and towns within the power zone char
tier one or more steamboats, and all
meet at Keokuk in the lake above the
dam on the morning of the day Of the
celebration and there be reviewed by
the president of the United States. Or,
II he is unable to be present, by his
representative and by the governors
OF Missouri, Iowa and Illinois and 9TH
,er public guests. That appropriate
exercises be held at some suitable
place in the celebration of the occa-
sion. That at night all boats, the
dam, power house, lock, dry dock and
lake be Illuminated That a night
parade or pageant be given by the
boats on the lake accompanied by fire
works or other suitable display. Many
ideas have been suggested to your
committee for a lake pageant that
would be of historical interest. of
great beauty and one that would make
the occasion long to be remembered.
Your committee also suggests that
during the week of the celebration
each city within the power zone have
a home coming week and that on the
day of the celebration. all unite to
take part in the exercises on the lake
above the DAM
Your committee has submitted this
general plan to number of cities
within the power zone and it has met
with general approval Owing to the
private interests of the members of
the committee, it has been impossible
for the committee to visit all the
cities and towns within the power
zone and your committee trusts that