Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-12
ITALIAN SOCIETIES
PARADE IN HONOR
OF COLUMBUS DAY
Celebrate AID Anniversary
of the Discovery by Decor
ating Statue in Park.
Knights Meeting Tonight.

The celebration OF the 422d anniver-
sary of the discovery of America by
Christopher Columbus began this morn
ing, when a committee representing
the United Italian Society of Philadel-
phia decorated the statue of Columbus
In Fairmount Park with an elaborate
floral piece.
John NJ. Queroli president of the Co
lumbus Day Italian Committee of South
Philadelphia, made the address of the
morning. He said that the object of
the meeting was not only to honor the
discoverer as an Italian, but as the
greatest man of his age. He told of
the struggle which the Italians of the
city have had in obtaining recognition
or Columbus Day as a legal holiday in
this State, deploring the fact that so
few Americans seem to realize the ex-
tent to which they are indebted to the
man who made possible our present
civilization on this continent.
Aforal wreath was also placed on the
Columbus statue this morning without
ceremony by the Philadelphia chapter
OF the Knights of Columbus.
The feature of the afternoon in the
celebrating of the holiday was a parade
OF 5000 men representing so downtown
italian societies, which started at 2:3O
O'Clock, at l1th and Fitzwater streets,
disbanding at 1lth and Christian streets
after marching on 1lth, Federal, Broad
Dickinson. Ninth, Fitzwater. Sth. Car
penter. 18th. Christian. 7th, Fitzwater,
18th and Christian streets.
Pietro Jocovini was the grand marshal,
Anthony Amodei. v. Colatuono and
Giuseppe De Marco assistant marshals
Aides to the grand marshal were John
Ramagll Frank SilvaGni. Custodo Girls
tinzio, Angelo Scioli. Nicola Pilli Ernesto
Bellicompagnia, Alberto Lervolini. AL
fonso Benavitacola. c. di Giacomo, \.
Sassa and Charles Cristinzio. Cavalier
the parade from the balcony of Beneficial
Hall, 92S South Sth street.
The streets all along the line of march
were gaily decorated. Flags of Italy and
the United States were displayed every
where and every one was dressed in
their very best and was very happy in
deed.
The knights of Columbus will assemble
tonight in the Academy of Music to hear
addresses by Senior Don Juan Riano the
Spanish Ambassador; Senator Henry F.
Ashhurst, OF Arizona; Congressman
James Manahan, OF Minnesota; Congress-
man BENJAMIN Johnson. OF Kentucky;
Senator-elect Robert F. BrOussard, of
Louisiana, and the Rev. William ]. Hig-
gins, vice rector OF the Seminary OF St
Charles BoIrOmeo.
Archbishop Prendergast and many other
members of the Catholic clergy will be
present. while feature of the evening
will be patriotic songs of Italy and OF
America sung by the Knights of Columbus
Choir and 200 voices.
Somewhat similar celebrations to those
given in the downtown section of the city
were held today in Germantown and in
F'rankfOrd. In Germantown there was an
afternoon parade and there viii be fire.
works tonight at the Happy Hollow PLAY
grounds, While the Italians of Frankford
and Taeony, organized in the Humberto ii
Beneficial Society, marched this morning.
There will be a dance this evening I'm |
Lithuanian Hall, Allegheny avenue and |
Salmon street.
The children In all schools OF the city |
In which more than rs per cent of the
pupils are italian have a holiday today /
in order that they may join in the cele-
brations.