Evening journal., 1916-06-12
THOUSANDS BOOST
FOR Preparedness
Saturdays Parade One OF
Greatest Demonstrations
City Ever Has Had
FLAGS GALORE ADD
TO MOVING PICTURE

wilmington citizens on Saturday
afternoon demonstrated not only their
patriotism, but their interest in ade-
Quate preparedness for defense, ac-
cOrdlng to those who watched the big
parade. About 5000 persons took
part in the demonstration. and thou
sands from the city and surrounding
towns gathered along the streets TO
see the procession pass. Practically
every phase Of civic life was repre-
sd in the parade. Boy Scouts, militia,
fremen, city and State officials rep
resenting nearly every industry had
places in the line OF march.
Many of the features were especial
ly beautiful. Foremost among these
came the girls from the Electric Hose
and Rubber Company and the Pre-
paredness Club from the p. b. and w
Railroad Company. all of whom won
enthusiastic applause as they march
ed. The wOmen's division, which in
cluded several hundred marchers,
was organized and led by Mrs. Henry
b. Thompson. There was good
representation from the Navy League
and the Delaware Chapter of the
American Red Cross Society.
The largest showing was made by em-
ployes Of the p. B. & ". Railroad
Company, who had two bands of their
own. Many bodies of citizens also
made an excellent appearance, keeping
step and alignment as well as many Of
the scmi-military bodies.
Nearly every marcher carried "A small
American flag. This produced beau
tiful effect as one watched the column
of marchers pass. and could see far ur
and down the street waving banners in
the national colors.
More than an hour was required foI
the line to pass the reviewing stand, al
though it was more than double that
length of time from the starting OF the
head Of the column until the last divis
ion was dismissed at the Soldiers Monu
ment. At the reviewing stand. placed
in front of the new city and county
building. Governor and Mrs Charles X
Miller. General James H. Wilson. l. ;
A.; General Charles Bird. L. S. A.; Col
oncl Benjamin Nields, Department Com
mander Johnson G.. A. r. and Adiutant
Litzenburg. c. 4. r.. watched the pa
rade 20 past and stood with barred head
in acknowledgment of salutes from the
marching thousands.
John Heracl. wrestler. carrying q
large American flag proudly with one
hand. attracted much attention as he
marched al the head OF the railroad
division.
The public school children made al
excellent showing and there was muci
favorable comment over the turnou
OF the Polish organizations.
Chancellor Charles NJ Curti
marched at the head of the lawyers
turnout. and Federal District Attor
ney Charles F. Curley. a graduate o
Plattsburg. carried the flag at the
head Of the lawyers. The Fraterna
Order OF Eagles had a large turnout
and on all sides there was praise TO
the fine showing Of the policemen ant
firemen
The Delaware Militia and the Della
ware College Cadets gave a decided
military touch to the pageant. Th'
eight companies Of the militia mad
a good showing despite the fact tina
many of the militiamen arc employee
in munitions plants in other cities
The Delaware College Cadets gave
splendid picture of the fine body o
Young men who attend the State
college at Newark. They we're heade'
hy their own band.
There was music galore in the pro
cession. Adjutant General |. P. Wick
ersham, chief marshal, and his aides
and the committee that made the ar
rangements are being given grea
credit for staging the great demon
stratiOn.