Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-14
Preparedness Parade
in Nep York Greatest
in History Of Country

by the spirit Of patriotism. The great
buildings in Wall Street and adjacent
thoroughfares were literally covered
with flags and bunting. while bands
stationed at virtually every corner
played patriotic airs. Business was
suspended at the noon hour, and off,
cials Of banks. trust companies and
other institutions Joined with their
employees in Fastening to join the
parade.
The general committee in charge of
the parade tonight issued statement.
which pointed out that 1t had taken
from March 10 to organize the parade.
and that. Notwithstanding the demon
stration in favor OF preparedness, ut
must be remembered that the marchers
were In no sense organized or equipped
for the defense of their country Not
Il uniform had been supplied. and not
one piece of equipment had been fur
nished."
Although reports were current dur
ing the day that anarchists contem-
plated making demonstration against
the marchers. the police said tonight
the parade was remarkably free Of
any disturbance.
The new armored motor battery, the
first thus far acquired by any National
Guard organization in the country, was
greeted with cheers all along the line
of march. There were seven regiments
OF infantry. three of Coast Artillery, a
part of the First Cavalry, batteries Of
Field Artillery. the signal corps, engi-
ncers and the motor-car battery.
THOMAS EDISON TRAMPs ALONG
WITH YOUTHFUL STRIDE
Thomas y. Edison, Notwithstanding
his siXty-nne years, tramped along
with the stride of a man half his age,
at the head of a contingent of twenty
two members of the Naval Consulting
Board of the United States.
such parade needs no expression"
declared the inventor tonight. The
fact that l marched in 1t expressed
my sentiments exactly"
All except two of the members Of
the consulting board were in line.
Those absent were said to be i'll.
Many business houses were closed
while the city gave itself up to it's
celebration of preparedness day. The
sidewalks from the Battery to Fifty
ninth Street. tho start and finish of the
parade were crowded 1t is estimated
that at least 100000 persons saw the
demonstration.
Twenty thousand women were in the
pageant Workers in zoo occupations,
lawyers and other professional men,
city officials and city employees and
10000 members Of the National Guard
in uniform, and thousands of veterans
of the Spanish War composed the long
column. The lawyers were led by
twenty justices of the Supreme Court.
Tie marchers were divided into sixty
four divisions.
FORCED TO REJECT
10000 APPLICATIONS
Demands for a place in the parade
so greatly exceeded tho time and space
that the promoters were compelled to
reject 10000 applications Beginning at
the Battery at the southern tip Of Man
haitian Island. the divisions fell in limo
at intervals all the way up lower
Broadway, Central and Lafayette
Streets and Fifth Avenue. nearly to
tho reviewing stand erected in Mad
ison Square.
There. from stand containing thou
sands of spectators Major-General
Leonard Wood, Rear-Admiral Nathan
lei r. Usher, commandant of tho New
York Navy-Yard, and Mayor Mitchell
reviewed the parade.