New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-18
BRONX DAY CELEBRATED
100000 People Take Part in the
Initial Festivities.
$4,000 CHILDREN PARADE
They Sing, Dance, Play Games
and Devour Refreshments
Costing SIS, 500.

The first Borough Day celebration in The
dent Miller. the originator Of the idea, and
Park Commissioner Higgins were much
elated last night over the great crowd
which turned out Yesterday in honor Of the
occasion. n was estimated by Commits
sioner Higgins that fully 10000 persons
took part in the June walk, 1000 Of whom
were children.
The celebration began al ! o'clock In the
afternoon and last until o'clock. At its
conclusion the youngsters had gobbled up
&. 30 worth Of ice cream and milk and
crackers. To provide for such refreshments
many persons in The Bronx subscribed TO
a general fund. although no one was per
mitted to send more than $40.
The children formed in the several
schools and marched 10 the nearest park
Ten parks were thrown open by Commits
sioner Higgins, and he had provided a band
for each one. a number Of hurdy-gurdies
decked out in American flags. furnished
dance music for the girls. Commissioner
Higgins gave the band leaders orders 70
play DNDuldl llASiAf 'ih tA'iAi' 'Nii'.' t''''
national songs In some of the parks hun
dreds Of youngsters sang the familiar airs
Every precaution was taken 10 care for
any Of the youngsters who might be in
iured during the games or dances. Four
large tents, lent by the I'd Battery, were
placed in Crotona St Mary's C1aremont
and Bronx parks. where the injured could
be treated at once. DR. Edward l.. Corbett
was surgeon in chief Of the day, and he
had thirty volunteer physicians from his
borough to assist him. II necessary. But
the day passed off smoothly.
There was not even the suggestion Of
single "tummie" ache, for the committee
which had charge Of the refreshments had
seen to it that each youngster should have
only one brick Of ice cream. one cup ot
milk and lust moderate supply OF crack
ers. Paper cups We're used.
To meet the demand for drinking water
commissioner Higgins used his park water
wagons. Each was equipped with hose
and a faucet and when the shrinking carts
were emptied they were taken 70 a hydrant
and filed ND again. In a number Of the
marks there were so few drinking fountains
and the crowds were so large that two
such wagons were in commission.
There was one thing tabooed absolutely.
and that was speechmaking
There was no time for speechmaking.
said the Park Commissioner. so We did
not invite anybody 10 talk. In fact, the
children would not have cared for any
Ginning when there was 5000 worth of
ice cream n he devOured.'
The Borough President and \ number nj
public officials Of his borough. rs Well as
some from Manhattan. went on tour Of
the parks In automobiles. Commissioner
Higgins did the same with another party.
Outside ~ that the whole celebration was
informal.
Besides the many attendants. there were
sufficient patrolmen stationed in each park
10 prevent any disorder In Crotona and
81 Mary's parks some bows tried 10 charge
the ice cream stands but were hustled
away before the long lines Of waiting
Youngsters could b. demoralized. At ST
Marys Park there We're fifteen thousand
children and a. many grown persons. Gro
tona. Bronx and Claremont parks We're the
three others which had the greatest crowds.
II will be DAYS before all the papers and
lunch boxes can be collected.