Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-28

Although less than three days old. the
movement for a preparedness parade
in Washington. June IA, Flag day. al
ready has assumed such proportions
that those who were instrumental in
starting it feel confident that it will
meet with success and that the Ma
tional Capital will be the scene of a
demonstration which will rival those
held in other cities from the standpoint
of size, and exceed them in enthusiasm
Seldom has any movement met with
such instantaneous response as that
which greeted the preparedness parade
idea Within a few hours after the
announcement of the plan to hold
such a parade was made in the
public press yesterday afternoon. the
heads Of various organizations. busi-
ness, civic. patriotic. military and
otherwise. indicated that they proposed
to give their unqualified support to the
movement.
Raise Fund for Expenses.
Within day or SO the formation Of
a large citizens committee will be per-
fected, it is believed. and then definite
plans for the parade will be considered.
with only seventeen days. counting
Sundays, in which to prepare for the
big demonstration, it is realized that
no time must be lost in making ar
rangements. Already an executive
liam F. GUIDE as chairman. and a SUBJ
fund with which to defray necessary
expenses in connection with the parade.
such as printing. letter writing, post
age and like items in connection with
correspondence with organizations and
individuals who plan to participate in
the demonstration.
A feature of the parade which. it
is believed. will enlist for 1t universal
support will be the personnel of those
who are to compose IL. 1t is proposed
to throw the parade open to every kind
of organization, business, profession,
occupation and Individual that stands
for national preparedness in its broad
est sense. 1t is to be a parade for men.
The parade will have Pts military
features, but there also will be a great
representation Of those who believe in
preparedness along other lines.
Expect Many Organizations.
Among the organizations suggested
for participation in the demonstration
are regular army troops, District Ma
tional Guard, high school cadets and
cadets of private educational institu-
tions, police and fire departments. or
ganizations having for their members
veterans of the civil and Spanish Amer
ican wars such as the G. A. r. and
Girl Scouts. suffrage organizations.
civic and commercial organizations and
a score of others The plan also con-
templates participation by public school
and high school students and students
of private schools. members of the
Junior patriotic organizations and
others.
Participation by representatives of
various occupational lines is another
suggested feature. Fraternal organiza-
tions will be asked to lend their sup
port by turning out large delegations
of marchers. The financial institutions
of Washington will be asked to CO.
operate from president down to Junior
clerk.
Already many persons have suggest
ed to members of the executive COM
mittee that there should be sections
representing the various governmental
offices and bureaus.
The fact that President Wilson, Sec
retary Baker and Secretary Daniels
have given their Endorsement to the
plan for the parade will mean much
for the demonstration. At the very
outset, before public announcement was
made of the plan, the administration
placed its stamp Of approval on the
project.
Business Men Pledge Aid.
Leaders in business circles of Wash
inzton also have given the plan their
Endorsement and have pledged to aid
in every way in making the parade a
success.
II am heartily in favor Of the idea. :"
said p. T. Moran. president of the
washington Chamber of Commerce.
Yesterday afternoon. Every resident
Of Washington should do everything
in his power to make this demonstra
,ion in favor of national preparedness
as great a success as that held recent
lv in New York. We cannot expect TO
at least match that demonstration in
enthusiasm. / believe that the people
of the United States are becoming
aroused to the fact that a certain de-
gree Of national preparedness is abso-
iu.ely necessary. Let US WashinRto-
mans demonstrate to the remainder OF
the country that we are for prepared
ness.
r. P. Andrews. president of the Re-
tail Merchants Association. became a
booster for the preparedness parade
| Immediately upon his being acquainted
with the plans for the project
II want to see this movement devel-
| that Washington has ever witnessed I
believe the plan is good one and that
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