Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-20
GOVERNOR AND MAYOR
PRAISE RICHMOND BLUES
brilliant Bazaar Opens in tho Big
Drill Hall ut Blues
Armory.
FUND FOR WESTERN TRIP
VIII Act as Governors Escort on
visit to Panama Pacific EXPOSE
ton Mt San Francisco - Historic
Scenes in Many Booths.

tory or the famous battalion and COM
plimentary to Its present membership
Governor Henry c. Stuart and Mayor
George Ainsl!e last night opened the
Blues Bazaar and expressed the hope
that It's continuance might be as sue
ccssful as tho first night promised.
Practically the whole membership OF
the battalion was present In full uni
form. and their number was augmented
by nearly 1900 citizcns who came to
show their material interest in the
effort and to lend their enthusiastic
support to the movement to have the
Richmond Light Infantry Blues Bat
talon act as the escort of Governor
stuart when he visits the Panama
Pacific International Exposition In Cal,
ifornia during July.
The armory was alive with light and
color. Green growing things were ar
ranged about the four walls OF the vast
drill hail. and in their midst and be-
tween them were placed a dozen and
one booths decorated in tho battalion s
colors and presided over by Richmonds
youngest and fairest Overhead twin
lsled vari-colored lights. and the steel
rafters were masscd with ferns and
flowers festooned about Thorn. On The
moor were booths imaging historical
facts and others playing on vagrant
fancy. Each represented some particu-
lar idea. and every idea was carried
out In detail.
COSTUMES OF VARIOUS PERIODS
LEND CHARM AND COLOR
There were girls who paraded In the
drcss OF their great grandmotherB, SELL
ing CONNECTIONS and tavors. and others
who were clothed In tho simple dress
OF the shy Dutch maiden. In tho red
colored and Hhawlcd head OF the Italian
itinerant tho flowing gown OF the
Ira mt ytv1 np1 M nj ,v,1
frock OF her who has looked upon the
Undermined streets OF Berlin. AT least
the general effect was neutral, 60 far
AZ craftsmanship frocked might be. and
IT was pleasing and beautiful under
the soft lights and against the things
which had been brought from Held and
garden
The speakers were introduced by
Major l.. W. Bowlcs. commanding. He
called n bugler from Company a to
sound note for silence, but at first
the notes were hardly heard above the
soft bubble OF voices and the !nsstent.
turbulent cry of those who were selling
dainty wares TO all who would spend.
When at last the bugle call brought
hush over the moving throng, Major
Bowles waved his hand. and Rev. j.
Calvin Stewart u. D., pastor Of the
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.
moved forward 10 offer an invocation
that higher Influences might come 10
bless and bring success to the effort
OF the South's best-known and most
famous command.
GOVERNOR STUART GIVES
HIGH PRAISE TO BLUES
Governor Stuart. who hopes to have
the Blues battalion act as his personal
escort when he goes to san Francisco.
was in his happicst vein.
In matters concerning the military.
unlike politics." he said. action instead
OF words is in demand. And wish TO
say that II there be any doubt to
the place the Blues hold in the hearts
and affections OF the people OF Rich
mond and OF Virginia II would be dis
PEELED by the suspicious opening OF this
occasion.
The command has been long in con-
tinuous service, but century and a
quarter have added to its position. un-
I'll now il has national reputation
throughout the country. That esteem
and admiration in which the Blues are
now held will follow them wherever
they go, and | think II will be found
that others think more of the Blues
than they think OF themselves / was
in Baltimore with the command last
summer, and il was stated there that
there was command which sur
passed the Virginia boys.
I'm the effort that is now being made
TO have the Blues go across the coun-
try TO attend the great exposition. I
do not hesitate to speak in their behalf.
The organization is one OF which Rich
mond is and should be proud. 1t will
be the greatest advertisement which
the city can send forth. Let uS get to
work and provide means TO enable II
TO get TO the Pacific Coast. so that we
may show the California people that
Virginia Is not looking back to the
halcyon days of the past alone. but
that instead, she has survived years
OF hardship and trial and Is in the
forefront with her sister States. This
these young men will prove to our
Western kindred. and | would not feel
that Virginia was fairly represented II
were not accompanied by the Rich
mond Blues"
MAYOR AISSLiE APPROVES
CITY APPROPRIATIONS FOR TRIP
Mayor Ainslie, who was introduced
next. said that Richmond could make
wiser selection in having represent
tation ut the exposition than by send
ing the Blues Battalion. the oldest in
point Of service OF any militia organiza-
tion in the South. He said that the
Blues We're contemporaneous with the
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Of
Boston, with the Washington Greys Of
Philadelphia and with the Connecticut
Foot Guard but that In actual point
OF service and historical fact the local
command surpassed them all. 81 hope"
he said In conclusion. that the city
Will give you an appropriation equal
10 lnat aIloTuen you ny the State
The last Legislature appropriated
$500 to help defray the expenses OF
the Blues on their crosse country trip.
and n like amount is being sought from
the City Council. As the expense will
he greatly in excess of the fund given
and the amount being asked for at
the hands of the city, the battalion. as
sisted by its friends and various or
ganiza tions, decided to hold bazaar to
raise n fund nearer to the amount
needed. In addition, every member Of
the battalion who goes on the trip will
be required to deposit n certain amount
to cover incidental expenses.
After the addresses the bazaar pro-
ceeded. Booths were thrown open. and
ut later hour the pavilion set aside
for dancing was thronged.
BIG DRILL HALL Is
IGLABORATELY DECORATED
Surrounding the pavilion is a col
lOnadc feStOoned in flowers between