The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-05
Washington Escapes Usual
Toll of Dead and IN
jured Celebrators.
EXERCISES DRAW
HOLIDAY CROWDS
Celebration at Seventh Street and
Louisiana Avenue Principal
Feature Of the Day.

Washington is having today its
first safe and sane celebration of
July 4, the greatest day in the his
tory of the United States.
| SO far. the twentv-four hours set
aside for the conBlemoration of this
country's declaration of independ-
ence have been marked by a lack of
the injured children and the hurry
ing hospital ambulances which have
been t., rule in past years.
The city did not awake to a
chorus of yips, yowls, explosions,
and whistles, but the celebration has
been none the less a memorable one.
Up to a late hour this afternoon
only one arrest had been made for
diScharging firearms in the District.
Not a single accident resulting from
the use of explosives had been re-
ported to the police, and there were
no Fourth of July victims in any of
the hospitals.
At Seventh Street.
Thousands OF patriotic people were
crowded in every available foot of space
g.
and louisiana avenue at 1880 O'Clock
this morning. wien she public exercises
of the citizens began. and Senator Owen
of Oklahoma made the principal Grafton
Of the day.
Preceding and following the exercises
there were daylight displays Of fire.
works, which surpassed IN beauty any
thing of the kind ever seen here.
At 2:3o o'clock this afternoon more
daylight fireworks viii be seen in the
Ellipse. and at $50 this evening the
night frewoI ks viii be given.
At $50 o'dock this afternoon there
will be an automobile floral parade
From this It IS evident tEat the Capt.
tai Of the Nation. while observing the
sensible precautions against deaths. in
juTies, and cOnfagrations. is behind no
other city of the country in the true
celebration of the sublime outcome Of
the signing OF the great document IN
Philadelphia, 1S3 years ag5.
Day Of oratory-
The day has been marked with patri-
otic prayer, song. and oratory and the
happiness OF a grateful pe9pls Is being
illustrated and emphasized by he firing
OF salutes and the display Of fireworks.
The weather is ideal. This is the
coIdest Fourth of July in the entire his
tory Of the Weather bureau. The thous-
ands OF people who. a few days ago,
looked forward TO this day as an oppor-
tupity for escape from sitting heat, re-
NAMED in the city and spent the day
pleasantly on their porehes and in their
parlors.
Major Sylvester, whs, as a rule.
spends his Fourth in fear Of, and pre-
caution against. disasters of various
kinds. was strolling up Fifteenth street
at II O'Clock this morning, smiling his
confidence In the calm and quiet OF the
whole day
The contrast between today and other
FOurths has been most marked. Today
not a frecracker was heard nor fire
works seen save where they were
handled under the auspices Of the citi-
zens who had the official celebration
in charge. There were, OF course, some
OF the city. but in the town proper the
rule was rigidly observed.
Here and there a small boy. with
dOWncast mien, was seen mourning be-
cause Of his inability to blow his thumb
of or to burn mis- face with errant pow
der but, on the whole, even the small
boy was content to see the big FIRE
works" set of at Seventh street and
Louisiana avenue.
From the movement inaugurated to-
day in this city and Chicago, there win
spread to every other city IN the coun-
try. 1t is firmly believed, a similar move
meut-a determination that this great
day, commemOrating the courage and
the genius of the founders Of the cOUn-
try, shall be celebrated in the spirit or
true patriotism. without the deaths ~
children and adults, without the injury
of hundreds and without senseless and
unnecessary noise and confusion. It Is
thought by the people or Washington
peculiarly. fitting tnat this city should
be the leader IN the movement
Here today practically everybody has
a holiday. The Government, in all its
vast branches, has stopped its work
The stores and shops and factories are
People All Free.
The people.l men. women. and chill
dren, are free to make merry either at
their homes OF al the resorts In the
vicinity. These resorts all had good
crowds. but their attraction did not
draw as largely as had been expected,
owing to the coolness of the weather.
So far, the day and its observance
have Oeen ideal. and the people have
been unanimous in their appreciation
of it--aN EXCEPT the small boy who
would like 10 set OF Just one cracker,
anyway.
The fireworks display on the ElIipse
at 2.30 O'Clock this afternoon will be
as follows:
Twenty-four mammoth balloons. red,
white, and blue.