Evening star., 1915-09-16
Every Child in Washington to
Be Given Opportunity to
See Veterans March.
ELEVEN HUNDRED GIRLS
TO FORM LIVING FLAG
Special Stand to Be Erected South of
Treasury, on Which Mammoth
Old Glory Will Be Seen.

AS a lesson in patriotism and as a
mark of respect to the old soldiers,
every child in Washington is to have
an opportunity to witness the Grand
Army parade here September 20. And
about loo girls are to have an OPP
portunity to participate in one of the
most spectacular features of the Grand
Army celebration, forming living flag
on a stand at the south of the Treas
ury, which will be visible to the crowds
throngins Pennsylvania avenue, and be
an appeal to the old soldiers as they
march toward the White House.
The decision to close the schools of
the city on the day of the parade was
reached at meeting of the board OF
education last evening, at which 1t was
also decided that all High School Ca
dets and Boy Scouts required for serv-
ice at information booths and other
wise assisting in the civic features of
the entertainment of the Grand Army
will be excused from school, when re-
quest for their services has been filed
by the proper citizens committees.
Stand on Treasury Grounds.
AS soon as it became known by men,
bers of the citizens committee that the
schools are to be closed. a group of
prominent committee leaders who were
assembled to let the contracts for the
last two stands on Pennsylvania avenue
decided that the opportunity to have
the living flag of children should not
be lost. An additional contract was let
for a stand on the Treasury grounds
on the south side. specifically for this
living flag, nSt one seat on which will
be sold except to the children, and
which will seat LOO girls. Robert N.
Harper. president of the District Ma
tional Bank, chairman of the finance
committee and acting chairman Of the
executive committee, issued a call for
girls to volunteer for this patriotic
privilege, today. 1t is hoped that the
response will be SO enthusiastic that
larger stand will have to be built and
that the living flag can be made the
largest that was ever trained.
1t was an unusual privilege that was
granted by Secretary McAdoo in al
lowing this stand to be built. While
the seats on this stand reserved for the
children are the best that can be had.
as the parade as it comes up the Ave-
nue. will march directly toward. the
stand, the assessment on those using
the stand will be but so cents, only the
proportionate share of the cost of
building the stand.
That the parents of the children Will
consider it patriotic privilege to con-
tribute this small share toward enter
appealing way at the last parade they
will ever hold in the capital is the be-
lief of the committee. This is to be the
only expense imposed upon the children
and this is merely to cover the charge
of building the stand.
The meeting at which this was de-
cided was held in the rooms of the
board of directors of the District Ma
tional Bank, and those present were
Chairman GUIDE of the citizens COM
mittee, James F. Oyster. F. D. Owen.
chairman of the committee on grand
stands, and Mr.. Harper.
Mothers May Accompany Children.
Mr.. Harper said today that mothers
will be allowed to accompany their lit
tie girls to the stand. He said that the
number required is 400 girls wearing
white shirt waists. 400 wearing red
shirt waists and ESQ wearing dark blue
shirt waists.
All applications for participation in
this living flag are to be made either
in person or by letter to rooms 603 and
sos, District National Bank building.
or to Secretary Thomas Grant at the
must state the COLOR she intends to
wear The application is to be accom-
panied by so cents and a pledge that
in case anything should prevent the
girl herself from taking part she will
furnish a substitute.
The committee in charge of the event
is particularly anxious to get as many
grandchildren of veterans to take part
in this event as possible.