New Britain herald., 1916-06-03
DAY
 AT STATE CAPITAL Over 25,OO0 Were Expected to
 March in Parade Today CITY BURIED IN FLAGS
Only About 300 From This City Leave to Take Part in Procession Although Hartford Expected Over 2,OOO to March.

Hartford, June 3.-The largest crowd which this city has entertained since Bridge Week in October, 1908, is here today for the preparedness parade this afternoon. On only two other previous occasions, according to the old timers, has there been any thing to approach it, either in the number of men in line or the crowds assembled, and those were on Flag Day, Sept. IT, 1879, when the Civil War battle flags were transferred from the old Arsenal to the capitol followed by thousands of soldiers only fourteen years out of war, and the sound money parade of 1896. -..rz.
 According to close estimates from the general committees headuuarters early today the parade would, include 5000 men and women for there were hundreds of the latter enrolled from in town and out. Marshal James l.. Howard and Secretary Wal ter Patterson said they would not be surprised if the figure was larger than that.
 City A Blaze of Color.
 The city began to get into it's gala attire yesterday and scores of business
 
 Stripes and many more today Main street particularly is a blaze of Red. White and Blue. It is noticeable that but little bunting is used, flags being dominant.
 The New Haven road had a number of special trains on it's several lines and extra coaches attached to nearly every regular. One special brought T thousand or more operatives from the Cheney Mills in South Manchester; others brought in 2,0OO or more from New Britain. The suburban trolley lines began to discharge their thCu- sands at City Hall Square early in the day and at noon and later the place was almost choked with visi- tors. Special cars were run at frC- quent intervals on most of these lines aS well as on those within the city. Al 'oo all traffic on the streets given over to the line of march was stopped e'liu persons coming in by motor IT .lolley were forced to turn back, wait LOT hours. or walk into the center.
 Seamcn Arc There.
 feature of the parade were the 70 officers, sailors, marines and band rom the U. s. s. Utah. The battle- shlp was anchored off New Haven oyer night and the men came to Hart loro py special train, the city paying all expenses. The train arrived here thlS forenoon and the tackles and ma flhes were hustled to hotel for lunch "hlle the officers of the Utah were entertained at the Hartford club. The speclal Is scheduled to take them back to New Haven at 5:15 There are fourteen officers with them. From II to 12 o'clock there was q reception for Gov Holcomb, other state officers, congressman, mayors of other cities and other distinguished guests in the municipal building. BadSes were given them. The city gave a luncheon for this party at the Hartford club prior to the parade and i a buffet luncheon will be served after the demonstration.
 They're Off at 3 O'Clock. With the parade starting at 3 o'clock it is estimated by the marshal that the last division will not have passed the reviewing stand until o'clock or later. It is also estimated that the length of the line would stretch seven miles, although the llne of march is scarcely a third of that distance. The head of the pro- ceSS1Nn will long since have dis banded before the rear kets started. sixteen divisions have been planned 1Or but 1t Was believed that an un- classified division would be necessary 10 take care of the late corners from out of town. Mo ore than dozen bands and as many drum corps were