The Washington times., 1917-03-05
SKIES WILL BLAZE
AT CLOSE OF FETE
Fireworks Display on Monu-
ment Lot Will Be Most
Elaborate.
POSTPONEMENT IF RAINY
Skill of Pyrotechnic Manufac-
turers Drawn On to
Full Degree.
PosTPoNEMENT IF RAINY

when $50 bombs explode simultane-
ously tonight the resultant roar VIII
be only a portion OF the elaborate
fireworks display that will mark the
inaugural celebration.
From $50 o'clock until IL o'clock
the skies of Washington will be
streaked with fire. Every pyrotech-
nical freak known to fireworks manu-
facture will be sent into the skies.
The fireworks display will be pref
aced by a concert by the United States
Marine Band, accompanied by the Co
lumbus Glee Club singing national
airs and patriotic tunes through
megaphones. The musical program
will begin at 7:45 and will continue
until $50.
VIII Have Rain Checks.
Harry King, chairman OF the COM
mIttee on fireworks, today announced
that accommodation for 1000 persons
would be made in a pavilion espe-
ciaIly erected for the display. Mr.,
King has arranged for the fireworks
to be set OF at one of the highest
points on the Washington Monument
grounds, in full view OF the occupants
of the grandstand. In the event Of
rain, he said, the display will be made
on the first clear night.
A few minutes before the display
begins a fash and sound signal Will
be fired announcing to the assembled
thousands that all is in readiness for
the spectacle.
Then will follow the flight of
twenty-five montgalner balloons
bearing magnesium lights, and the
national salute will be fired by nine
inch guns. The next instant the park
and the Washington Monument. will
be brilliantly illuminated with flood
of light which will bring into pic
turesque relief the White House on
one side, the Potomac on another. and
the surrounding Government struc-
lures.
Big Battle Suggestion.
The war in Europe will be graphi-
cally suggested by a brisk engage
ment on the firing line,", low frame
work set emitting 5000 binding mag
nesium flashes and 1900 reports,
growing stronger and heavier, until il
concludes with a terrific cannonade,
the quick rattle of musketry, the
booming of big guns, and powder
smoke.
Five hundred prismatic shells will
illuminate the grounds with tie clear
ness Of day Immediately preceding
the ascent Of a shower of Inaugural
tion shells A special myriad effect,
consisting Of $50 whistles sounding in
mid-air with flashing blue and green
nre viii next be shown. The flower
Of the garden will add a touch of
real beauty, and "The Star-Spangled
Banner" will be the signal for a
patriotic outburst from the audience
A marvelousIy conceived triple pillar
Of light, 100 feet high, arranged in
ave tiers, will proceed the firing of
numerous Wilson peace bombs"
The set pieces expected to attract
the greatest admiration include "'The
Temple of Flora" containing 1000
ten-ball Roman candles: the trans
formation aerial device, 400 feet
square; the avalanche of snow, Nj
agara Falls by moonlight, 500 feet
long: two set magnesium pieces, 500
square feet of attractiveness: "The
Birth of a Nation" a mammoth spec
tacle, and the finale, which shows the
flag and an appropriate inscription.
Fire Portraits the Finale.
The Saucisson and Tourbillion
nlncss beNeulg-uNe IN NUMBER Will De
a spectacle wonderful to see, and
the numerous batteries OF candles, |
each containing ten stars, will light
the heavens.
Six silver repeating girondolas, |
with tine whistling chases, will be |
discharged after six eagle screams" |
of special eighteen-inch bombs have |
given the signal
Parachutes, sprinkling diamond |
dust" as they descend, will be the ef-
feet produced by the discharge of
three thirty-inch shells, and the beau |
tifuI Toxic bomb, showering small |
particles OF multi-coIored brilliance |
will be another feature piece.
A salute to the American flag, made |
by the release of a national streamer,
will be accompanied by a salute of
twenty-one guns. pigeons" will fly
about, and two miles of floating fes- 1
toons will result from the eruption |
of twelve fifteen-inch festoon shells. /.
The concluding device will be a
fire portrait OF President Wilson and
Vice President Marshall, inserted in 1
six liberty columns fifty feet apart. |
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