The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-11-05
RED CROSS BALL W|LL
be BRILLIANT AFFAIR.
Spacious First Regiment Armory Is
None Too Large for Hugo
Crowd Expected.
WILL HOLD FUNCTION TONIGHT
Grays' Armory Interior Decorated
Layishly for Big Occasion-Pro-
ceeds for Sick and Wounded in
War-Torn Europe.

Spacious as II Is, the huge assembly
hall OF the Richmond Gray's Armory,
Seventh and Marshall Streets, will be
none to large to accommodate the big
Red Cross ball tonight. 1t will be
the first opportunity local people have
had to give substantial aid to war
ridden Europe, and the interest taken
by all classes In the affair, indicates
that the function will not only be
brilliant, but will be the largest and
most successful ever held In Richmond.
Every cent of the proceeds will go
toward the relief of the sick and
wounded. through the American Red
Cross Society.
Everything is in readiness for the
ball. Decorations, volunteers all, last
night completed the gigantic task OF
converting the grim lines of the mill
tary building into veritable thing of
beauty. Having no money to spend In
frivolities. the patronesses were forced
to depend upon the liberality of the
merchants for the decorations, and all
responded nobly. 1t is this spirit that
forecasts the results OF the undertake
Ing
The huge iron Orders which sup
port the roof, are buried beneath mass
OF color. while the walls are barely
visible fer the flags, bunting and de-
signs which have been arranged By the
decorators. Festoons of flags and drl-
perios eliminate the grim lines of the
room, and cover the balconies Tho ma
tional colors predominant everywhere.
CLAIM DANCE FLOOR IS
LARGEST IN RICHMOND
No dance hall in the city can com
pare with this big floor. It Is more
than 200 feet long. and half as wide.
There are absolutely no obstructions
on the entire 1900 square feet OF
space. With the brilliant decorations,
the bright clothing of the military men.
gay evening gowns of the women, on
4 background of sombre black worn
by the civilians, the great room will
be Kaleidoscope mass of color when
the band strikes UP the lively dance
airs, with hundreds Of persons going
through the evoIutions of the modern
figures
Whether one Is a dancer or not, the
ball Will be sight worth seeing and
something that Will linger I'm the mind
forever. Ample seating acccmmoda-
lions will be provided for the non
dancers. the two Balconies having
capacity of nearly 1000, while extra
chairs will be placed along the walls.
Nothing will prevent full sight of
the swayinE hundreds as they answer
the appeaiTof the orchestra, which will
he hidden behind a mass of palms In
the band gallery.
use of large numbers. and adjoining
the dance floor are cloak and rest
rooms for both men and women. Com
retent help Will be there to aid the
guests. Floor managers will keep
things moving. and none OF the modern
society dances will be barred.
PATRONEssEs PREDICT
ONE GREAT SUCCESS
The patronesses were highly de-
o. "a q MI p1 - ~
for tue ball. After getting the use OF
the sarmory. they went to work In earn
est to make the affair success. CO.
operation was secured from every
source. Military men agreed to wear
their distinctive full( dress uniforms,
and Governor Stuart. asked his stan to
be present In their brightest toys.
The Richmond Light Infantry Blues,
in blue and white; the Richmond
Grays. In gray and white; the Rich
mond Howitzers, In gray and red, and
the staff officers in regulation blue
with gold trimmings. will alone make
the affair brilliant one, without the
added attraction of the hundreds Of
beautiful women and their handsome
gowns. backed up by the civilians In
evening dress.
Debutantes have volunteered their
services TO sell refreshments on the
floor. These young women will wear
the regulation nurse outht. They Will
dispense their wares. consisting only
OF light refreshments. during the in
termissions. The patronesses state
positively that nothing will be sold
except things to eat and drink. There
is no bazaar feature connected with
the ball.
Moving picture houses were visited
yesterday by subcommittee of the
Womans Committee, in order 10 see
which were. and which were not, adj
yertising the ball on their screens. The