The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-27

the Parade of Progress on water wouli be the central theme of the celebra- l ton. The parade might be led by the first craft which embarked it's com merce in the port, or the first craft sc | engaged that can be historically fixed And the second in line. perhaps, might be typical of the beginning of steamboating in the sound. It is even | possible that the Clermont, might be ! borrowed of the Hudson-Fulton Com | mittee for the occasion.
 l The Clermont would stand sufficient l ly in the place of the Fulton. of which The Farmer said. on March 22, 1915: The steamer Fulton passed this place yesterday at 1 o'clock. on her way from New York to New Ha- ven on her first trip.
 The Fulton was an improved Cler- mont. And certainly these craft should be followed by a Lake sub marine. typical of the conquest of the underwater, as the Fulton was typical of the complete conquest of the over water.
 And then. as it has been suggested that a fireworks exhibition should be given upon the water. in connection with such a. celebration. it might be found comparatively, simple matter to reproduce allegorically at least the great confagration of 1845, when 49 buildings lying along the water front were destroyed and a large West In- dian brig was burned at her dock.
 This parade would naturally be participated in and the oldest existing boat built in Bridgeport would of course be- in line. or might possibly lead the line.
 The new Congress street bridge might. of course, be outlined in color cation made a feature of the festi- vities.
 If there should be a land pageant, as doubtless would be the case, the parade should be marked with floats significant of all the~past of the city, of it's victories. and of it's hopes and aspirations for the future.
 one fleet for instance, by way of illustration. might show the commit teemen. Garfield. Fitch. Olmstead and Elye. setting aside. by legislative order the 80 acres now known as Golden Hill for the use of the Indians. The pas sage of the compensation which Strat- ford paid to Fairfield, eighty pounds in 'beefe, porke, wheate and pease' might easily be indicated.
 How great by virtue of the incre- ment of human souls is the value of this 80 acres now?
 Another~f1oat might show ''The Log House of 1865" of which an adeuuate drawing exists.
 Another might represent the arrival of Washington at Nichols Tavern, the site of which was at BIO North avenue.
 And so also might the arrival of EcueTdl AdIdy0CC6, WHO on the n1gnC of August 20, 1924, stopped in Bridge port at Knapp's Hotel. which was at Wall and Water streets. when bells rang and cannon were fired. The people welcomed Lafayette with three cheers. Afterwards. he said. in a sub- dued voice, "Happy. happy people,
 And many other incidents equally representative of the past might be indicated. Doubtless also manufac- turers would willingly arrange floats 1Cfr 0f fLa of try. Elias Howe might be shown, laboring over the first sewing machine The Singer Manufacturing Company might show the evoluted product of Howe'S original brain. And so the parade might be- made Illustrative of all the city's industries.
 The first commercial telephone ex- change was in Bridgeport and one of the first wireless telegraph stations was located here. The talking ma chine has been developed in Bridge port. The rapid fire gun was perfect ed here. The navigation of the under water has been to a large extent ac- complished in Bridgeport. and it is even possible that before 1910 an air ship made in Bridgeport will be fly ing further and longer and higher than any airship. yet constructed.
 Whether this be so, or not, it is cer- tain that a celebration will not be com plete unless the submarine. the air ship, and the conquests of natures forces which Bridgeport men have &C., complished with the brains of genius are made an important part of it. Naturally tho automobile would pay it's share. and automobile races might be arranged at Seaside Park.
 A manufacturers exhibit in the ar mory, @ fair to be given entirely by the people of the East Side, a, chill dren's parade, which may constitute a division of the land pageant have also been suggested.
 Possibly an All-Bridgeport news paper might be issued which would contain a reproduction of the first page of each Bridgeport newspaper. This newspaper might be ostensibly printed upon a float in the pageant and copies might be distributed along the line of the route as souvenirs of the occasion.
 It may be readily seen that a cele bration of the first century of Bridge ports independent existence would be no mean nor valueless function if it should< be consistently and thought