Evening star., 1943-08-27
Estimated Audience
OF 100000 10 See
Vast Army Show

Approximately 100000 persons will
be able to witness the Third War
Loan Army Treasury show begin
ming September 9 on the Washing
ton Monument Grounds, it was es-
timated TO-DAY.
Bleacher seats for 5000 are to be
set up. Another 5000 can view the
show while standing. With two
shows, afternoon and night, a total
OF 10000 spectators daily is the an
ticipated attendance each day of
the three-week program.
Facing l26-foot stage is an arena
300 feet in diameter. This arena,
covered with sand, will be the scene
OF demonstrations by various
branches of the Army. The stage
forms one side of an octagon. Seats
will be placed on the other seven
sides and spectators unable to OBJ
tain seats can stand in walkways.
One large pathway will lead from
the southern end of the arena up
the slopes to the Washington Monu-
ment
Time to Be Fixed Later.
While the exact time for after
noon and night performances has
not been set. the tentative arrange
ment calls for shows at 2:30 and
$50 pm.
The 100000 figure does not in
clude the thousands who are ex-
pected to view exhibits housed in
tents, but who may not remain to
witness demonstrations by jeeps,
fiame-throwers, sentry dogs, mill
tary railway personnel and other
branches of the Army.
No decision has been reached as
to whether blank cartridges are to
be fred, thus giving an atmosphere
of realism to the war weapons dis
play. 1t was pointed out that the
cost of firing weapons twice daily
would run into high figures, aside
from the fact that conclusion caused
by firing heavy howitzers would
shatter windows in nearby buildings.
Greatest Military Show.
But If this realistic phase is lack
ing, other features will combine to
make this the greatest military
show ever staged in the Nation,
Army officials said. The purpose is
to promote the purchase of War
bonds by showing the public what
has been done with their tax and
bond dollars in equipping Americas
mightiest army.
Movie stars and other celebrities
In the entertainment world are be-
ing booked by the Treasury Depart
ment to make appearances on the
stage.
Meanwhile, small army of work.
men keeps busy on the grounds.
Carpenters are building floors for
the tents which are to exhibit ex-
rensive war materials; painters are
busy with spray guns, poles are be-
ing erected from which electric
lights will illuminate the grounds
each night; model chapel is being
constructed, and in far corner
steel rails are to be placed soon on
a railbed for the exhibition of rail-
way military equipment.
Trained Guides" to Explain.
AS the big show approaches, a
spirit of competition among the
various branches of the Army is
beginning to make itself evident.
The Engineer Corps has the job of
Transforming blue prints into build
ings. Each Army service will have
It's trained personnel assigned to
duty on the ground to explain the
functions of that service Pieced
together, the exhibits OF many serv-
Ices making up the United States
Army will be an imposing whole.
Z Army shows have been held in
other cities, but not on the scale, ar
ranged for the Nations Capital, 1t
was emphasized by War Department
officials.
!. The famous Garand rifle and the
smaller carbine used by the Army
are to be shown in the Ordnance
Departments exhibit.
! The carbine replaces the pistol
used in the last war. Capable of
firing Is high-velocity slugs from
pne clip, the carbine has been
useful part of our fighters equip
ment. Ground officers have found
1t highly effective weapon.
(. The Army's display of ordnance,
Including materiel captured from
1he Axis powers, is intended to be
a dramatic portrayal of civilian
HOllarS pOinp to war When invested