Perth Amboy evening news., 1917-07-05
STATEN ISLAND
INDEPENDENCE DAY
IS OBSERVED HERE
Patriotic Address, Parade and
Athletic Events for Safe and
Sane Fourth of July.
By Special Correspondent.

By Special Correspondent.
Tottenville, July 5-Staten Islands
celebration of the safe and sane
Fourth of July yesterday was said to
have surpassed anything that had
been held in former years. This can
be said particularly of this end of
the island where the best observance
of Independence Day was held in q
number of years. The celebration
began here at 10 o'clock in the morn
ing when fifteen automobiles, carry
ing each dozen or more little chill
dren made a, circuit of the fifth ward
with flags and banners of the Chau-
tauqua that opens here today. George
p. Allen was in charge of this affair.
The main celebration was in the
afternoon when a parade of the vari-
Gus patriotic organizations was held
through the principal streets of the
town, q band concert was given on
st. PauPs playground, patriotic ad-
dresses given and athletic events
were held. The parade started at 2
o'clock from the Tottenville school
and passed down Amboy road to
Fisher avenue, to Arthur Kill road,
to Johnson avenue, to Amboy road,
to Elliot avenue, to Main street, TO
the Fairgrounds. James Laing, chair
man of the arrangement committee,
The parade was headed by two
squads of the Home Defense League,
followed by the Home Defense
League Drum and Fife Corps, the
only music in the parade.
Then came the members of the
Grand Army of the Republic in auto
mobile, the st. Paul's Cadets, under
Captain Leonard Wait, the Firth Ward
Branch of the American Red Cross So
ciety, Home Defense League, under
Captain Matheson, United Council
Junior Order United American Me-
chanics, Welcome Council Daughters
of America with float, Washington
Council Daughters of Liberty with
float, Camp Fire Girls and the Bethel
Boy Scouts. The Red Cross Society,
with an. ambulance, float showing
the work of the society, two other
automobiles in line with members of
the society, made up the largest rep
resentation of any in the parade. They
were applauded all along the line. Miss
Laura Yetman, president, and Mrs.
M, c. Quimby, member of the exec
utive committee, headed the organiza-
tion that made the best showing of
any in the procession.
Borough President Van Name and
bis secretary, Ralph Mckee. with
other borough officials came here and
joined the parade. When the paraders
were dismissed, the band and the
other organizations gathered In st.
Paups playground where the exercises
were held. James Laing as chairman
In a brief address spoke of the mean
ing of the day and then introduced
Piiny e. Davis Of Raritan Bay Park.
member of the Grand Army, who
ax,alxe of the grant struReJe at the tim a
OF the civil war and of the strife that
tslsd-us4xdn ttrr.,t -.,ae6l l-enterad- -i.rtc Hon.
Montague Lessler of New Brighton, a
former congressman, was next intro
duced by Mr.. Laing as the orator of
the day. Mr.. Lessler. In his remarks
told of the early struggle Of this coun-
try from the time of Washington up to
the present time when we are now
engaged in the worlds war for democ-
racy.
The speaker was loudly applauded
at various times during his talk to the
several hundred people that had gath
cred within the play ground. The ath-
letic events were held at the close of
the speech making for which an ac-
count will be found on the sporting
page of this edition. The day was u
great one for this end Of the island
and much credit Is given the commit
tee that had charge of the arrange
ments of the affair. Many places were
decorated and flags were displayed as
they were never before. At the Curtis
high school field at st. George, where
the principal celebration was held was
no more enthusiastic than was at this
place, 1t is said. The Tottenville band
gave the concert here In the afternoon
beginning at o'clock