The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-29
WASHINGTON NEWS
ON GREAT MEET
NATIONS SHR|NERS
Startling Statistics On Mag.
nitude of Convention
Given Out

Washington Star of April IL.
He has gone into detail disclosing
many startling facts in connection
with what promises to be the great
est gathering of it's kind ever held
in America. Speaking of the party.
Mr.. Helm says:
We're giving a party next June
the biggest house party ever given
on American soil. The invitations
have been accepted and the guests
are getting ready to come.
Do you realize just how big this
party is going to be?
You know, of course, that about
100000 persons are expected, Shriners
and their families and guests. And
that Is almost the present population
of Washington.
But-do you realize that If all the
hotels in New York city were moved
bodily to Washington overnight, they
would not be able to take care Of this
crowd?
Do you realize that about half of
the Pullman cars in the United States
will be at our front and back doors
during the party?
Do you realize that We have to
import more than $4,000 walters just
to attend to the dining room wants
of our guests?
Do you realize that the hens of
seven states will be kept busy lay
ing eggs Just for their breakfasts?
Do you realize that If we parked
their automobiles end to end they
would reach froh here to Philadel-
phia?
Do you realize that il the entire
party were formed into parade line
It would take that line about three
days to pass the White House?
Do you realize that 100000 persons
will be dancing in step at one time
on Pennsylvania avenue?
Do you realize that 5000 special
policemen will be required to handle
the crowds?
1 thought not Neither did 1.
As we said, it is the biggest party
ever held in the United States. The
worlds fair at Chicago saw no such
crowd at any time. The Hudson
Fulton celebration at New York at
tracted only three-fourths the num-
Der that Is coming to Washington.
No Inauguration has even brought
to Washington such mighty most
Never before have the railroads been
called on to haul so many people at
one time to one place.
The nations transportation system
will be weeks getting back to norman
after the party is over. Every avail
able bit of passenger equipment in
the country will feel the strain.
Five thousand Pullmans is the es-
innate of the number that Will roll
into Washington during the advent
of the throng. They alone would III
the double track from here to Balti-
more, with hundreds parked on side
tracks along the way. =.
Twelve hundred of these cars will
be parked, with heaven only knows
how many diners-a miniature city
on wheels-in tho Washington and
Alexandria railroad yards. In these
a email fraction of our guests Will
find food and lodging.
Our 60 hotels, with their $3.50
rooms-all filled as full as comfort
will permit-will afford accommoda-
lions to less than 10 per cent of our
visitors.
Our homes and our apartments must
be filled to the limit OF capacity
every one--if we are to show our
guests only a degree of hospitality
that accords them place to sleep.
When our guests take a bath our
reservoirs will be lowered by not less
than 100000 gallons OF water. me
total drain on the water supply, over
and above our usual requirements, Is
estimated at shout 20.000.00o gallons
daily.
TO feed this mighty assemblage re-
quires more than loaves and fisne =.
but speaking only of leaves, we must
nave at least 100000 daily.
To sweeten the tea and coffee OF
our guests during a single day ana
furnish them sweetmeats we must
provide more than $50 barrels OF
sugar, each Weighing more than Soo
pounds.
And if we were to fill railroad
coffee, it would be hardly enough 10
give each guest a cup for breakfast
and another for dinner.
Ii the guests were all to decide 10
take a stroll at one time on Penn
Sylvania avenue, that famous thor-
pughfare would be packed, sidewalk
and street. from the capitol TO the
tty so close together that It couio
hardly walk with comfort.
These are imposing statistics. They
fairly took my breath, so l went
down to the Homer building for 2
talk with Mr. Warner. the Shriners,
publicity representative, who is IN
touch with all that's going on in the
way of preparation. l wanted to find
out about arrangements for handling
the crowd.
I'VE expect this party to go off
like clockwork," he said. I'VE are
alive to the size of the job and were
making arrangements accordingly
But" I protested, this crowd will
eat Washington out of house and
hcme in about two days"
1.-THE supply firms" he replied
twill have stuff rolling in here a
month in advance OF the convention.
The storage space will be filled to
bursting before the first Shriner
reaches Washington.
mo fear Of not enough food. but !
would suggest that observation-disclosures
lay in a supply of staples sufficient
to carry them through the week and
do it in advance. That Will make
At easier for the visitors to be ac-
commodated."
Special telephone exchanges. built
for the occasion. will take care OF
extra calls. The electric light ana
gas companies will be pressed almost
20 capacity The trolleys will be
nopelessly overwhelmed.
And we'll see the sidewalks brim-
ming over every hour OF the day.
with tens of thousands spilling out
ento the streets.
Incidentally. our guests will spend
About $4,000 a minute while here.