The Washington times., 1923-04-16
FEARS VISITORS
MAY SWAMP
CAPITAL
A.mas Temple Secretary Warns
City Can Care for Only
Half a Million.

Fearing that if the number of Wis
itors to the Shrine session in June
exceeds the total Of half million
now expected and planned for, the
city and the transportation facilities
will be taxed to the danger point,
Harry Stamford, executive secre-
tary of the Almas Temple 1928
Shrine committee, today called for e
cessation Of any activity to encourage
further attendance.
So tremendous have been the APP
plications for reservations in Wash
ington that the affair has long since
passed beyond any control, so far as
limitation of the size OF the crowd
Is concerned, 1t was announced.
Half Million Is Limit.
In statement issued today to
Charles D. Warner, publicity man
Tor the committee. Standiford says:
THE general intention Of the peo-
pie OF the United States to come to
Washington in June has become so
pronounced that / am informed by
the railroads that the number COM
ing, probably SOC, 900, win be all that
the railroads can handle, and all that
| the steamship lines can accommo-
date. This number also involves
crowded automobile routes to Wash.
| ington. But be sure to let 1t be
| known that we can care well for all
who have applied and even more.
"You will, therefore, not en-
courage any greater number than
that coming. We shall be able to
take care of half a million but
more than that number will be
dangerous.
Danger In Congestion.
j THE public should be informed,
however. Of our unprecedented
preparations. While our spectacular
events will pass anything in the
history of the world, they should
not exaggerate it., so that the effect
| might be to produce a congestion
too great for this city or the Dis
| trict OF Columbia to handle. You
| can imagine what might be the re-
suit IL a million or more, as. is
possible, should seek to come here.
Il hope that you will caution
newspapers, which have been very
| conservative thus far, not to oyer
state the attractions ~ have to
offer, although they are on a scale
never attempted by any other Amer.
lean city,"
All State societies in the District
! OF Columbia were today requested
by Edgar G. Snyder, chairman of
the entertainment committee, to be-
gin their plans for cooperating in
the immense Dance of the States,
to be held on Pennsylvania avenue.
Spends $3.50 for Sign.
The Massachusetts, State society
, has already begun its plans for the
Massachusetts section, which will be
in front Of the New Willard Hotel.
The society is spending $3.50 for
I huge electric sign to designate its
section, and Is planning to CO.
| operate in the decoration and en-
tertainment features within its own
| area. The Pennsylvania State So
ciety will meet tomorrow night at
the Willard Hotel, to make plans
for its part in the entertainment of
| the Pennsylvania visitors. The thirty
State societies in Washington are
expected eventually to be actively
engaged in the plans, in cooperation
with the Shrine committee.
; The designs for medals in the con-
test for trophies in the huge aquatic
carnival, which will be a feature of
! the session, were today submitted
to the judges, Clifford K. Bergman,
w. F. Roberts and Appleton p.
Clark, jr., and the awards are ex-
pected within the next few days.
Prizes of $75 and $25 will be award
ed the winners.
Alexandria Expects 100000.
Plans are being pushed in Alex
andrta for the marking with bronze
tablets of all points of historical in
terest in that city in preparation for
| the session, the committee was in
| formed today by Capt. G. 3. Evans.
of the Alexandria Chamber of Com.
merce. 1t is expected that 200. 900
| people will visit Alexandria and Mt
| Vernon during the session. Captain
Evans said that plans are being
| made to publish, for the convenience
of the Shrine visitors, folders listing
the more important points Of inter.
est in and near Alexandria, with q
map showing how to reach them.
Information headquarters will be
opened, either in the WashinHton-
! Alexandria Lodge or in the Chamber
| of Commerce, where visitors may OBJ
tain directions, souvenirs, and
guides. This bureau will be in
! charge OF Alexandria Masons, in con-
junction with the citizens commit
tee on historical landmarks in Wash
ington. Under this plan a number
of members will be stationed at diff
ferent points of interest to give in
formation more fully than has be-
fore been attempted of things his.
torical in Alexandria,