Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-04
ALEXANDER FOR
PATRIOTS 4TH
PAGEANTS INSTEAD OF NOISE
URGED BY MAYOR
City Executive Finds Many Friends
of Proposed Plan and COM
mittee May Be
Formed

Plans are under consideration for
making the Fourth of July observance
in Los Angeles hereafter more patriotic
and more generally commemorative OF
what the day should signify through an
immense representation each year OF
some significant historical event show
ing step in the makinf of the country
particularly Southern California, and
stimulating patriotism not only direct
ly but also through the cooperation OF
2000 to 5000 persons
It is suggested that the portrayal in
the form of an outdoor pageant or
great tableau of some feature of histo-
ry will arouse interest in past achieve
ments and likewise quicken present
day patriotism.
The use of explosives is to be discour-
aged for the benefit of the girls and
boys who are to make the next genera
tion of the republic.
The plan proposed is for the appoint
ment of an honorary commission by
Mayor Alexander, to lay a general out
line of the celebration before the Grand
Army of the Republic, Native Sons and
Daughters of the Golden West and 9TH
er patriotic bodies and the business,
civic and fraternal organizations, the
various state societies and other organ
izations, asking for their suggestions
and cooperation. This commission is
to serve without pay, but will take
time to obtain material for feasible
and comprehensive scheme with the
idea of putting it into effect for the first
time July Fourth, 1910.
"I am heartily in favor of such a
plan," said Mayor Alexander yesterday.
I'VE need in some way to get all
classes of people together for a truly
patriotic observance of the Fourth.
Something that will teach the lesson
of patriotism, and that will bring home
the real meaning of the Fourth of July
Is desirabl l believe that such a plan
as is proposed will do that and help to
give the day an Importance as day
for the remembrance of patriotism, just
as Memorial day is commemorative in
its way At the same time, it need not
interfere with individual observance.
Unite in making some such a plan a
regular part of the patriotic celebration
of the Fourth in Los Angeles"
Taken Up by G. A. r.
The matter was taken up by Bartlett
Logan post No. 6, Grand Army of the
Republic, at its regular meeting last
night.
"You can count us in," said John
Davis. adjutant of the post, "and l am
sure the other posts will be in line. We
old soldiers have watched the slipping
away from the old-fashioned idea of
getting together with good deal of
sorrow Monday we expect to have
more than 1000 persons at our camp
fire at Sycamore Grove, and there will
be other gatherings elsewhere about
the city, but there Is no united effort
for the entire city to assemble and OBJ
serve the day in its true spirit, as there
should be.
1T am greatly in favor of anything
that will teach patriotism and make it
e.sx f1an Tr~fh Il
believe such an idea can be developed" +"
J. NJ Quinn, adjutant of Stanton
most No. 55, member of the board of
education and high authority on
Southern California history, indorses
the plan proposed.
1--WE need greatly something with
less of the savage in it than at pres
ent marks our celebration of the
Fourth" he said. 1.-THE plan suggested
is possible of development toward that
end. and California's early history is
rich in scenes which might be utilized,
A pageant would be impressive and
raise the standard of the general con-
ception of the meaning of the Fourth. q"
"I am for the oId-fashioned spirit in
celebrating the Fourth" said Brig Gen.
Robert Wankowski head of the Ma
tional Guard of California. ut used to
be the practice to have parade and a
genuine old-fashioned celebration. but
that fell into disuse several years ago.
'T believe we have grown too care
less about what the Fourth really
means and I think we should get back
to some of our old-fashioned princi-
pies. am sure you can count on the
National Guard for anything that will
bring this about"
Some initiative looking to the estab-
lishment of greater and more patri-
otic celebration of the Fourth along
the lines suggested will likely be taken
in the near future by Mayor Alexander.