New-York tribune., 1909-06-04
SWEEPERS ON PARADE
MEN MAKE FINE SHOOTING
Wnhout Using Brooms They S7ceep
Al Before Them an Fifth 4Uenue.

Street sweepers swept everything before them IN
Fifth avenue Yesterday afternoon. The unusual
thing in the performance that they did not
touch broom to the asphalt. They wore starched
suits that white the driven snow. Start
ing at the Plaza O'Clock, fOrty-fvc hundred OF
these men proceeded down Fifth avenue with stoild
step. and when they arrived in front Of the re
viewing stand. opposite Madison Square. they sd-
luted their superiors in the service. who stood SILK
hats in hand. and smiled The sun shone Sc
reney. 1t a street sweepers' soiret-the first
in many seasons. 1t was in every sense sue
In all that shifting scene of shoes Only one man
broke tho unwritten rule and a pair of light
yellow tans The balance Of the nine thousand feet
shod in deepest polished black. and while it
a small matter, in way. nevertheless the man
with the yellow boots showed sorrow that his
trousers not longer that his eNtremitics
not more sUbducd.
Eyes right - commanded each division superiu-
tendent OF the Department of Street Cleaning of
the horoughs of Manhattan. Brooklyn and The
Bronx when his men reached distance of approXt-
mately eighteen feet to the north Of the reviewing
stand The mon obeycd with electric precision.
The Mayor in the reviewing stand. and so
big Bill Edwards, Commissioner of Street
Cleaning and other city officials.
Eyes (hic). Eyes right! Gic," commanded
ford faced foreman. He vas happy ana had bone
colored whiskcrs and gloves match. And he
made distinct hit with the public well with
tn" city officials, who understood why he happy
and did bcgrudge him his momentary elation
nor the prominence he had gared Furthermore,
his platoon went by eyes right second in
that well disciplined army OF the cty's
apparently no incentive to strain for effect
needed by the men in Yesterdays parade but two
prizes offered. Commissioner Edwards will
present a large silver cup the men from the
borough that it Is decided made the best military
showing Deputy Commissioner Hogan will give
silk banner 10 the district having the best kept
stable. The prize winners will be announced later.
The Mayor arrived the reviewing stand Al
2:20 o'clock Thousands of persons then sat in the
two stands and lined both sides Of the avenue for
blocks With the official party IN the stand were
the trophy judges-Colonel Daniel Appleton and
Major Frank Iandon, Of the 9Th Regiment. and
Lieutenant Colonel b. b. McAlpin. Of Major Gen
Roe's staff.
The parade was pIentfully strewn with brass
bands. The perspective toward 42d street looking
up the avenue not what one might expect
street cleaners parade 10 be. The wagons
freshly painted: their red wheels contrasted I'm
lively manner with the white suits OF the march
ing men and the dark brown uniforms of those
who drove the ashcarts and other vehicles. The
BOYS bands from the Catholic Prot@tory and st.
Johns Home were deserving OF the ovatons they
received.
When the ashcarts came abreast OF the review
ing populace several large bouquets OF flowers. with
flowing ribbons. We're given To the drivers Some
Of the drivers who We're thus favored struck poses
that were unusual but It remarked that bou-
quets ashCart unusual too The
horses without exception. made a fine appearance
Nearly thousand Of these hauled. besides the
carts water wagons the revolving swcepers Of
the fretful porcupine type. and other apparatus
used I'm the department
An interested spectator Mrs. James Speye-.
president Of the Woman's Auxiliary Of the Ameri-
can Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty to Ami
mails and there also in the stand with Mayor
Mcclellan the father and mother of Gommissioner
Edwards Borough President Ahearn. President Nc
Ciowan OF the Board OF Aldermen and DR. Walter
Bensel. Sanitary Superintendent Of the Department
o. Health.