New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-09
MARD| GRAS OPENS WITH
BANG AT CONEY ISLAND
250,000 Go to Shore Resort 70
Witness Coronation of Old
King Bunny.
BIG CROWD is ORDERLY
Few Arrests, Despite Removal
of Lid by Acting Mayor Kline
Little Business AT.
ter MIDNIGHT.

Old King Cole was merry old soul
But, old King Bunny was so funny. very
funny,
Twas a shame to take the money.
A refrain something Ike that drif,sa
down the confettl-strewn street on Sur,
avenue. Coney Island. last night at tho
opening OF the annual Mardi Gras. Tire
week In which Joy IS unconhned and rnir,h
Is unhounded, except by the sea and tba
westward lights of the Island of Happl.
ness" opened with a bang. Some 25)o1
jewellers visited the resort OF the pee.nuI
10 witness the coronation OF the king and
queen
1t was the tenth annual affair and. ss
press agents from Luna Park 10 Steeple.
chase voiced with one accord, the great.
est first Mardi Gras night in the history
OF that institution. Despite the romp and
dance IN the functions attendant upon the
court festivities Of King John Bunny. OF
moving picture fame. and his beautiful
queen. Lillian Walker. II was proper
and orderly crowd-take II from the az.
fetal reports OF Police Inspector Robert
f. Dooley and Captain Thomas Murphy.
who ought TO know.
1T was the most orderly Mardi Grss
crowd that has ever visited the island on
the opening night Of the festival" said
Inspector Dooley.
And a compliment like that from thu
man who directed 800 patrolmen and 20
detectives TO look after the interests OF
the populace meant more this year than
on any previous occasion. Why? Because
Colonel Ardolph L, Kline, acting Mayor IN
the absence OF Mr.. Gaynor, had lifted the
lid and granted a score or more Of all
night licenses 10 the hotels and cafes for
the week OF the Mardi Gras. No persons
seemed to have stayed away from the
Mardi Gras because they were conscience
stricken In remembering Mayor Gaynors
words last year, when he refused the all.
night licenses.
Let those who cannot swil LIQUOR
enough by ! o'clock stay away from the
Nardi Gras." the Mayor said at that time
I'VE do not want any all-night carousng
at Coney Island. My experience IL that
the proprietors down there had better
cater 10 good, decent people. who DO not
want TO stay up all night"
The crowd came early and went home
early. The front doors that were open
ali night at all the famous places did
comparatively little business after mid
night, the police said. and few were
the arrests for disorderly conduct by
over-stimulated systems. Captain Muir
ply was not prone. however, 10 pro-
phecy what the all-night law might de-
velop before the end OF tho week Some
OF the proprietors, Of Luna Park and
otter big show places, said they were
really sorry that tho Id was on, bot
all were satisfied with conditions last
night
The police did keep q close watch On
the all-night stands, to see that sem.
blance Of law and order was observed.
and perhaps that had something 70 DO
with the good outward show Of deceney
and order" One miserable litte pc!t-
cal CRATER" according TO Mayor Gayner.
OF the eight who sat at the Mccall nomi-
nation table at Deimonico's. stood on the
curb OF Surf avenue with his back cor
cred with confetti and a cynical smile on
his face. as he probably thought OF the
independent candidate In a steamer chair
on the deck of the Baltic. Tho person
referred TO was John II. Mccooey. OF
Brooklyn.
The coronation procession started *
Ocean Parkway at $50 o'clock and WOUND
up In Luna Park. where Bunny ana
Miss Walker were properly crowned ana
received the Keys 10 the CITY from
Fred w Kister. president OF the mano'
Gras Carnival Committee. The corona
ton dinner and ball followed IN Luna
and we're attended by several thou.
sand turkey trotters. many OF whom oi'
not have a chance 70 exhibit their ACCOM-
pllshments owing to the crush.
There were twelve floats In the ps
rade, symbolic OF various counuls.
which added greatly TO the uhsene1
splendor OF the carnival Surf aVenS'
was arched from one end 20 the otns'
with colored incandescent lights
After the storm OF confetti had SUI
sided q policeman measured with n's
nightstick the depth OF the red yeio.
and green flakes on Surf avenue '-
swore that II was a good four inches