Seattle’s Ladies Plan a Royal Welcome for the Boys of Manila

WOMEN OF SEATTLE ARE OUTSPOKEN

They Favor a Big Reception to be Given in Honor of the First Washington Volunteers.

Quite a number of well-known women of Seattle have expressed to The Star their opinions and counsel regarding the proposed celebration in honor of the return of the First Washington Volunteers. It will be noted that all of them are in favor of combining efforts to do something that will be a credit to the community.

"I think everything should be done for the Washington boys on their return," said Mrs. John Collins. "They should be received in a royal manner. I think all the ladies in Seattle are of one mind, and will fall in all their power to make the day a success."

"I believe that something ought to be done to greet the soldiers upon their return, and am willing to contribute towards a fund for a big celebration," said Mrs. Rosser G. Greene.

"We ought to celebrate the home-coming of the Washington boys from Manila in some suitable manner," said Mrs. A. L. Hutchinson. "It would be nice if they could come here about the Fourth of July, then we could have one big celebration. It would not necessarily have to be out-of-doors, so that all could participate. The ladies ought to get together and take some united action in this matter. As to raising funds, my experience has been that the easiest and best way is by personal solicitation. Of course, other plans could be worked at the same time."

"That is just what we ought to do, give the volunteers an elegant reception," said Mrs. W. T. Deare. "A committee of ladies should be called together and offer suggestions as in what kind of a program should be prepared. I am in favor of giving grand reception."

"I would suggest that some sort of entertainment which would speak kindly of peace," said Mrs. Marion Hunter, national organizer of the W.C.T.U.: "Women of the nineteenth century are leading in the agitation for universal peace and arbitration. It might not be improper to meet the soldiers with weapons of warfare that are garlanded with flowers and hint prophetic succession of the time when war shall cease. I would suggest putting up little collection boxes in banks, post offices and every place of business, to receive the small contributions of the people. It is surprising how these little ones amount up. It should be a popular subscription."

"I like to buy something to eat and drink, and furnish them with new clothes if they need them," said Mrs. Bratton Brown. "Have programs prepared, and appoint committees to meet them at the train or boat on their first land. I heartily am in favor of this, and would render all help necessary to prepare a suitable celebration."

"That is an excellent idea," said Mrs. R. L. Dodd, of the Colby Court. "I would be in favor of anything which a committee would decide upon. The ladies of Seattle should lend every effort to make the return demonstration in honor of our soldier boys a success. Have a live committee appointed, and be sure and have names of the ladies of the city placed on it."

"I think it would be nice to give some sort of an outdoor entertainment," said Miss Emma Shumway, of the High School faculty. "But I would have to think the matter over before suggesting anything. Our high school cadets will be interested because several of them are in the army, and I am sure they would be glad to participate. I am in favor of taking up private subscription for the expenses necessary to make a successful demonstration. If collections are to be taken up among the school children, let the cadets take hold of it."

"There can be nothing too good for the boys," said Mrs. James Higginson Jr. "It seems to me the ladies ought to get together and formulate some plans. I shall be glad to assist in any way."

MAYOR HUMES PREPARING TO SELECT THE COMMITTEE

It is my intention to appoint, without delay, ten members of the committee called for by resolution of the city council to prepare for the celebration when the Washington volunteers return home.

Such was the statement made this morning by Mayor Humes to a representative of The Star.

"You may add," continued the mayor, "that this committee, in so far as I shall appoint its members, will be of a representative class. It will stand for the people of the city. There is no question of politics involved in such an affair. The citizens are ready and anxious to do honor to the Washington volunteers when they return home, and the reception should be on a large scale, commensurate with the importance of the occasion. I have not yet made my selection within a few days."

The council resolution provided that the mayor should be chairman of ten members, of which he should sit in conjunction with another ten to be appointed by the council, to raise funds by public subscription, and carry through the celebration.