The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-07-05

tia in the ball park at Sea Breeze ISL and, thundered forth to the world yes- terday afternoon that Bridgeport, al ready the industrial capital of Con- necticut, was the home of the great est American flag ever made. Prompt ly at 4O5. Captain George Auger, the biggest man in the world, seized one of the ropes that controlled the me- chanismF for unfurling the mammoth banner, and with the booming of cannon, the salute to the flag from the army buglers, and the singing of America by the assembled multitude. the wonderful banner was disclosed for the first time to the gaze of an immense gathering.
 Following the simple but deeply impressive program of speechmaking, Mayor Wilson, the master of ceremon- ies, directed Captain Auger and Will liam T.. Gallagher, the general man. ,ager of Sea Breeze Island, to proceed escort of soldiery accompanied the two men, made way for them through the crowd until they reached the position they needed to handle the ropes which unfurled the flag. Conspicuous among the enthusiastic throng were the griz- zled veterans of the Civif war. who. 125 strong, had turned out to do hon. or to the flag.
 It was a great day for thA Island, and a great day for General Manager William L.. Gallagher, Who has been spending most of his days and nights arrangements for the monster demon- stration The whole program went off like clock work on schedule time to the minute Splendid provision was made for handling the crowds, and the location of the two towers NI dnCf ipn fn fly proved ideal, for it gave the en- tire ball park over to spectators.
 It was just o'clock when the parade with the Coast Artillery Corps and Wheeler & Wilson bands, left the city hall There were the Fourth, Eleventh Coast Artillery Corps the G. A. R. and a detachment of the Third divi- sion of the naval militia The sailors brought a big field piece drawn by a four horse team.
 Congressman Thomas l.. Reilly, the orator of the day, rode in a handsome ly decorated Y passenger car driven by Harry Ford, proprietor of the Co., lumbus garage with Mayor Wilson, Former Mayor Buckingham, City Clerk Stephen F. Boucher, Bert Mor> .phy. the famous singer and Jack n Spurrier, the business manager at the Island
 In anotherg automobile was Captain George Auger, the tallest man in the world. He drove his own car. His family and friends were with him. The veterans of the G. A. R. were in an automobile truck and three big busses, all decorated in the national coIors. The old soldiers appeared in full uniform.
 The parade passed from the city hall to Main street, to Congress street, countermarching to Fairfield avenue, L1.-a fra Seaview avenue to Sea Breeze Island. Throngs lined every street. and cheer upon cheer greeted the soldiery ana the veterans.
 Long before the arrival of the pa rade the Island was fairly swamped men gathered on the roof of the ball room took pictures of the crowd await ing the arrival of the parade, or the progress of the parade down through the Island, and of the inspiring scene about the temporary stand erected for the speakers.
 The program of speechmaking took place in the eastern end of the ball field. while the flag raising was 10 inc west end This was to give Yls1- tors an opportunity to sit in the bleachers while the speechmak1ng was ercrowded long before the time ap- pointed for the exercises, and when Mayor wilson called the meeting to order at 8 o'clock, there was a dense mass of humanity radiating the grand stand like Q monster fan. E All the oratory was brief, ana chara cterized by spirit of deep and fervent patriotism. Mayor Wilson spoke of the timeliness of the great celebration, of the debt to the fore fathers that the flag. symbolizes, and of the priceless heritage of liberty that is guaranteed under it's red, White ana blue. Then he called upon Rev. A. c Thompson, the patriotic instructor of the G. A. R., who touched a re- snonsive chord with a. solemn invoca- tion. Heads were barred and absolute silence prevailed throughout Gne throng while the prayer was offered. Following the prayer the clergyman read a poem which was received with great applause. It follows: Your flag, and my flag, How it flies today
 Der your land, and my. land,I Half the world away. Blood red, rose red, Its stripes forever gleam,
 Pure white, soul white, Our good forefathers dream,
 Sky blue, true blue, With stars that shine alright,
 A glorous guidon of the day, A shelter through the night Your fiag, and my flag, Oh. how much it holds, Your land, and my land, Safe within it's folds. Your heart, and my heart, Beats quicker at the sight. Sun kissed wind tossed, The red, the blue, the white, The one flag, the grand flag, The flag for me, and you, GIorified all else beside,
 The red, the white, the blue, Your flag, and my flag, Salute it everyone,
 As proud it waves today, 10 From dawn to set of sun. Oour noble starry ensign, | With eolors grand and true, l The flag of liberty and freedom, | The red, the white, the blue. Our flag; for all our life, | To defend from every foe, 1 For it's your flag, and my flag, | Wherever we may go. l Then came ex-Mayor Buckingham 1 whose voice was never better thar | yesterday. He bespoke for the assem-