New Britain herald., 1916-06-14
WILSON ON FOOT AT
 HEAD OF VAST HOST
First President Ever to March in
 Flag Day Parade
75,OOO FOLLOW HIS STEPS
Thrilling Spectacle as First Man in America" Leads Eleven Divisions as Washington Pays Tribute to the, Red, White and BIue

Red, White and Blue
 Washington June 14.-Led by Pres 1 ident Wilson carrying the Stars and Stripes, nearly 75,0OO men, women and children of Washington marched up broad Pennsylvania avenue today in 2. preparedness parade arranged to emphasize the national capitals de- mand for an adequate army and navy. Besides marching himself and then reviewing the parade, the president had prepared an address on Amer ica First" to be delivered in the af- ternOon at an open air meeting south of the White House.
 | Washington was brilliantly decorat- ed for the occasion. It was a holi- day, for under an executive order s- sued by the president, all government employees were excused from work and many stores were closed. The cele- bration was planned in part as a re- sponse to a proclamation issued by the president calling upon the. people of the nation to celebrate Flag day this year with special ceremonies.
 The parade was designed as a strictly non-partisan affair. Volun- IeelIS tO pdI ClClpdIo III It were en- ployes of many stores and shops, men1- bers of patriotic, philanthropic, re- ligious and social organizations, many of the city's leading business men, cabinet members, judges, school chi1- dren and members of the senate and house. There were many floats empha- sizing preparedness.
 Other Presidents "Too Busy"
 President Wilson decided to set a precedent by marching on foot during the entire length of the parade. For mer Presidents Roosevelt and Taft also had been invited, but found it i'm possible to participate.
 Beginning at the peace monument near the capitol building, the line of march passedthe post office and treas- ury department buildings and then reached the White House where re- viewing stand, draped with American flags had been erected. There the pro- gram provided that the president should leave the head of the parade and enter the stand with the members of the executive committee.
 To control the crowds, including visitors from Philadelphia, Baltimoxe, Richmond and other nearby cities, the Washington police force had called for aid from soldiers from Fort Myer, Va, and marines and sailors from the navy yard here.
 Regular Military Barred.
 No regular military organizations were permitted to march because Sec retary Baker and Secretary Daniels thought it would be improper for pro- fessional soldiers or sailors to parti- c1pate. The national guard of the District of Columbia, the Washing ton High School Cadets and several other volunteer military bodies were assigned to prominent places
 Secretaries Baker, Daniels and Houston were out of the city at tending the democratic national con- ventlon at St. Louis but other lne1n- bers or the cabinet agreed to march at the head of the officials and em- ployes from their departments While no government employees were ordered to turn out, large proportion of them volunteered. Many army and navy o1ncers stationed here quietly arranged 10 parade Ill civilian clothes with the war ana navy department divisions.
 Chamberlain With President.
 Senator Cham berlain chairnoan of the senate military cotnmittee was given a place in the first division led by the president, Secretary Humility with the White House employees con- tingent and Justice Pitney of the United States supreme court with a local club.
 American flags were distributed to every ma hofora tLo started.
 Nearly every band in Washington and Baltimore had been pressed into service. The United States Marine band was placed just ahead of the president.
 Eleven Divisions in Parade.
 The parade was under the direction of Lieut.. Gen. S. B. M. Young. hon. orary grand marshal, and M. c. Haz- en, grand marshal. It comprised eleven divisions, one of which was | designated for negro citizens and or l ganizations.
 By permission of the navy depart | ment the navy wireless station at Arl- | ington, Va, had been used to invite q II radio operators in Washington and vii l cinity to participate in the celebra- tion, and the responses resulted in a. special section being set aside for | them.
 With most of the marchers parad- | ing sixteen abreast, the committee in l charge of the arrangements estimated | that the last contingent would pass the reviewing stand late in the afternoon
 After marching in review the parad CTS were directed to proceed to The open space back of the White House l where a temporary stand was erac+od