Evening star., 1901-12-12
ON DRESS PARADE
Annual Display Of the Police and
Fire Departments. :
REVIEWED BY PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
Winners of Prizes Made Known
by Inspecting Officers.
MIR. MCFARLAND ADDRESS

To an encouraging accompaniment, which
included the warm commendation OF the
President of the United States and the un.
stinted plaudits of the people of the com
munity, the police and fire-fghting forces
of the District OF Columbia paraded this
afternoon under perhaps the happiest au
spices since the annual pageants were in
augurated.r Nature provided nearly per.
feet day of almost spring-like temperature
The sun shone down on highly polished ac
couterments as the policemen Of the cit.
wheeled down the historic avenue. and the
rays of Old Sol were reflected in splendol
from the perfectly FURNISHED brass and
nickel of the fire engines and other appara
tus of the department.
The children of the public schools were
granted a half holiday today. being dis
missed at 1 o'clock this afternoon. in order
that all who wished might view the parade
The children turned out in countless mum
bers almost, lining the route of the parade
from end to end. The people of the Dis
trict generally have from the first shown
the keenest interest in the displays of the
departments, and this afternoon the parade
| was watched and the members Of the mu
nicipai forces applauded by great throng.
all along Pennsylvania avenue.
Roth In Fine Condition.
Both the police and fire departments are
| in the very finest shape today, it is stated
The police department has been thoroughly
reorganized and enlarged to a considerable
extent since the last annual parade. The
members of the force evidenced this after.
noon careful training and discipline The!
marched before the President and the peo
pie with the demeanor and the precision
| of soldiers. Their appearance called forth
enthusiastic comment everywhere,
| Upon the recommendation of the chief en-
gineer of the fire department, and the ap
proval of the District Commissioners. only
about one-half of the fire-fghting force OF
| the District was in line. 1t was deemed tC
be unwise by the authorities to temporarily
place out of commission a greater number
OF companies because of the ever-constant
danger Of a -confagration. The companies
not participating in the parade were sta
toned at convenient houses throughout the
city The suburban companies were brought
within the city proper and SO arranged as
to best cover the entire territory.
The parade, which moved shortly after !
o'clock. proceeded eastwardly from 18th
street and Pennsylvania avenue. down past
the State, War and Navy Department build
ing the White House and the Treasury. Al
18th street the column turned south and
passed down to Pennsylvania avenue again
taking up its march toward the Capitol.
Reviewed by the President.
In front of the White House the reviewing
stand was erected. In the center of the
front row, and surrounded by purely off
cial party. was President Roosevelt. He
was attended by the District Commission
ers. Messrs. Henry B. F. Macfarland. John
w. Ross and Major John Biddle of the corps
Of engineers. United States army. The Pres
ident was evidently much pleased with the
showing of the departments as they passed
along. and SO expressed himself The Com
missioners explained a great many points to
the President in which he seemed particu-
In the reviewing stand. In addition to the
President, and the Commissioners, were sew
eral members of the cabinet. senator's and
representatives from the Senate and House
committees on appropriations and the Dis
trict of Columbia; representative officers of
the army, the navy and the marine corps
officers of the Board of Trade and the
Business Mems Association; officers of the
board of education, judges of the Distric,
Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court
of the District of Columbia; former Com
missioners of the District; representatives
OF the board of fire underwriters: heads OF
departments of the District government
and a number of prominent citizens direct
ly interested in municipal affairs.
Prior to the parade there were number
OF very interesting ceremonies at the points
or rendezvous OF the two departments on
streets. These included the presentation OF
the prize flags to the winning command OF
the ponce department and the winning com
pany OF the fire department.
The police flag was the first trophy pro
vided for the District forces 1t was donat
ed BY Mr.. John B. Wight, when he was
District Commissioner and had immediate
supervision of the police department The
flag was for the first two years presented
to the precinct commanding making the
best showing at competitive drill. This
order OF things was subsequently changed
SO that now the winning precinct force mas
stand inSDeptiDn az tn rrpt
shooting, cleanliness OF the station house
cleanliness of attire and uterments
movements in drill and inspection of re
volyers. The examination Is very search
ing in each precinct.
Result of the Inspection.
The result Of the police inspection this
year. which was conducted by Mai Rich
ard Sylvester. the superintendent of police
Capt. Heffner of his staff and Mai. Burton
K Ross. the military instructor of the High
School Cadet Corps. was not announced un-
til this afternoon. There has been consid
cradle speculation over the outcome and
the partfsans of the various precincts have
been making stalwart claims for their ia
vorite commands. Last year the flag was
awarded to the sixth precinct comma nd cd
by Lieut.. J. A. Moore.
Shortly after 2:30 o'clock this afternoon
as the police commands We're drawn up by
precincts along Pennsylvania avenue west
of 18th street. Maj. Sylvester, who was on
the scene. accompanied by the District
Commissioners. dispatched his adjutant
Capt. j. e. Heffner, to summon before the
District board the winning command
capt. Henner proceeded down the line OF
commands, while the spectators and the
policemen Themselves looked on with the
greatest anxiety. On the captain rode, past
the first, second. third. fourth, fifth. the
Formerly victorious sixth, the seventh from,
old Georgetown. the eighth and lastly to
the ninth precinct command. which was
the last in line.
The Ninth Had Won.
Inc ninth precinct. commanded by Lieu.
tenant }. c. Daley. had won. When the
fact became apparent and the command
was marched up to where the major anc
ms stan ana the Commissioners stood the
oIue coats were enthusiastically cheered
The nag was presented by COMMISSIONS,
Jonn W. Ross. who has immediate super.
vision OF the police department. Mr. Ross
briefly Ho oh