New-York tribune., 1908-09-15
MAD MARDI GRAS AGAIN
CONFUSION AND CONFETTI
FiUe Hundred Thousand attend
Coney Island Coronation.


Wen. mind; there's more OF it left Z youh
out again.
This is only bit Of the talk aboard the inbound
trains from Coney Island last night. that were
loaded with the nerrymakers OF the sixth annual
Mardi Gras. And though there was even heavier
fall Of confetti than former years the threatened
bombs" the tickIers that concealed sharp tacks
and other unpleasant features were missing Alto
gether from hour OF the great coronation right
through the parade and until the big official ball
was well under way, the five hundred thousand per-
sons who had gone to Coney TO whoop up the be-
ginning OF the last week Of the season enjoyed
themselves. OF course. after midnight the straw
hat vigilance committees out 10 do their dire
work, though the police did have way Of
using the locust wood.
But before the big doings could get under way the
coronation OF the King and Queen Of the Isle or
Mirth necessary. And so with all due formal
ity Alderman Lewis NJ Potter was crowned King
Lewis and Mrs. Caroline Popp became Queen Car
rfe, when Edward Stratton. Lord High Custodian,
apprised them of their subjects loyalty IN the Car
nival Palace Of Steepleehase Park
But while the feIictations the speech from the
throne and cheers OF Long live the King were
taking up time. Acting Police Commissioner Baker
was getting mis- arrangements completed Under
him six hundred uniformed men. mounted
and on foot. Thus there was a policeman Tor
every ten feet OF the brief route OF the parade
through Surf avenue from Brighton Beach walk, 70
22d street Also there were three fremen at each
Of the high pressure mains along the way
Indeed, there many uniforms in sight
that it looked ike police review until the crowds
began concentrate for the spectacle OF course,
there the usual horsepIay. the queer noise
making machines and the ever busy tickIers but
the plainclothes men specially on the look
out for those cheerful persons who mix red pepper
with the bits Of colored paper
Also the confetti bomb was sought cone OF
pasteboard. which shoots forth its contents by
means Of a percussion cap These things were
happily missing, however. even though District In
spector OBren calculated that there were close 10
half million persons crowded together along the
line and growing impatient because the parade was
late in starting.
The bands from Luna Park and DreanIand had
played themselves hoarse when at last the mounted
police and the members Of the committee in motor
cars hove in sight. The first demonstration came
when 5. E. Jackman. the grand marshal drew I'D
his big bay horse in front of the Bank Building
and received a delegation of six women all bear
ing bouquets OF course. there was room for the
floral offerings On his steed.
Mounted aids. both men and women with the
sixty boys who formed the band from St Johns
Home, were only part or the guard Of honor for
their matestes Degree teams from half a dozen
secret societies swelled the ranks and the loyal
subjects of the Isle NirJh cheered right Justify
when King Lewis and Queen Carrie burst into
view aboard float that was a masterpiece OF
scene painting and electric lighting Indeed this
as the first of the floats. showed a new device in
Piled with current from sliding trolley that was
connected with feed wire strung along the route
Two attendants in golden vestments guided the
sputtering trolley.
All the other floats were lighted similarly and
anybody who was serious minded enough to look
at the programme was more or less anxious TO see
the spectacle labelled Our Next President" II
came and some one growIed. "Stung!'' before he
turned back to dodge a swinging '-rattler." Uncle
Sam was seated back dais and in front OF
him were three busts representing Taft and Bryan
and-whats his name?-the third candidate. OF
course there was The Spirit OF the CarnivaT'
and Progress and Prosperity and lot more sub
jects that gave a chance for the display of Coney
Islands justly celebrated youth and beauty.
The educational floats were strong on progress
such as Progress in Architecture Progress in
Comm uuicaton.' II the Progress in City
Transt-From HorEecar to Subway that made
hit, only the horses on board being recently
stuffed looked too lively some Of the crosstown
lines in Manhattan
When the main parade over and the floats
representing the big shows had dwindIed down 10
the string of decorated automobiles the crowd be-
gan TO get back into it's fun making. Over on the
Bowery and the walks and paths of it there
began the annual massacre of straw hats. First
it just among friends. but as the evening wore
and midnight passed anybody with straw
hat either hid it or made quick escape TO out
going express train.
The grand ball at SteepIechase Park was still
under way when majority of the sightseers had
started for home But then the parade and Mardi
Ciras ceremonies last throughout this week, with
a afternoon pageant Iext Saturday And Acting
Commissioner Baker said: But it's Mardf Gras
week, and the police dent interfere much, and
nobody is arrested unless he goes too far, and
that's pretty far. indeed, when will stand
for having his hat smashed just for a joke