The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-05-22
HALF WAY
MARK IS
PASSED
Automobile Train Held Up by
Cowboy Bandits-3,ooo
Cars Now in Line.

The transcontinental automobile
caravan, which is bringing
Shriners from all parts of the
country for the coming Imperial
Council session, now swelled to
include approximately 5000 cars,
is expected to cross the Missis-
sippi river today, with consider
ably more than half of its long
journey completed.
Left Coast May l.
The caravan, headed by Capt
Bernard -McMahan, pathfinder for
the National Shrine Touring Club,
left San Francisco May 1 with 200
cars in line. 1t has been increased
by recruits ar every city and
large town en- route.
The big caravan was held up by
cowboy bandits between Walsenberg
and Pueblo, Colo, and searched for
liquor, according to word received
today from Captain McNIahan, who
reports there were mo fatalities. 2
The caravan was entertained by
members OF Al Kaly Temple, at.
Pueblo. which VIII send a strong
delegation to Washington. The
caravaners were guests Of the
Pueblo Shriners at dinner and at an
ENTERTAINMENT by the Al Kaly drum
and bugle corps at Fairmont Park.
The members of the caravan were
shown through the big steel mills.
At La Junta, McMahan reports
all the buildings had Shrine deco
rations in honor of the caravan.
The caravan will receive its
largest increase at a single stop
when it arrives at Frederick, Nd,
June 3. Here it will be joined
by a caravan starting tomorrow
from Rochester, NJ Y, with
York State. Pennsylvania, and New
England in line.
Baggage Plans Completed.
One of the greatest problems fac
Ing the Shrine committees in con-
nection with the arrival in Wash
tngton of the expected hosts faces
Charles d, Shacklefords baggage
committee. This committee will he
called upon to handle 100, 900 pieces
of baggage twice. The most elab-
crate system for any event of this
kind has been completed, with the
assistance of all the express and
transfer companies.
Each piece of Shrine baggaRe
destined for Washington will be
checked through to its ultimate des-
tination in Washington before the
traveller leaves his home. Street adj
dress and apartment number will
be put on the baggage. 1t immedi-
ately goes into custody of the
Almas Temple baggage committee.
ho& CF
vast volume of luggage will come
into Washington within a 24-hour
period makes it imperative that an
immense staff of baggage handlers
and delivery trucks be on hand for a
concentrated effort to complete de-
livery of every piece of baggage be-
fore the closing up of the downtown
district to this sort of traffic on the
morning of June 5.
Big Signs Welcome Guests.
Erection of huge electric welcome
signs on the outskirts of the city is
now under way. These signs will oe
placed at Bethesda, on the western
gateway, Hyattsville on the north
and east, and at Highway bridge on
the south. A huge sign, bearing the
slogan Welcome to Almas Temple"
is being erected in Union Station.
The lettering ana sign Will De Iram"d
in red, yellow, aud green lights.
Sale of grandstand seats along
Pennsylvania avenue and in the
Garden of Allah will begin at 8
o'clock Thursday morning in the
Globe-W ernicke Furniture Com
pany's store at Thirteenth and F
streets northwest Reservations
were opened to Shriners during the
past two weeks, and SAB, 900 worth
of seats were reserved, leaving
more than two-thirds of the $4,000
seats available for sale to the pub
lie. The sale was to have begun
yesterday, but was postponed to
allow completion Of checking up
and mailing Of the tickets already
reserved. Though twenty-five clerks
and accountants had been put to
work, it was impossible to complete
this task on scheduled time.
The $4,000 seats erected for this
event are more than double the mum.
Der ever. provided for any street
event in Washington, not executing
any inaugural in history.