The Washington herald., 1917-05-27
Big Crowd on EIIIpse.

Washington did itself honor in giving
the boosters a good send-oY
Inc Marine Band led a procession TO
the Elhpse at noon. and there Secretary
OF the Navy Josephus Daniels made an
ADDRESS before more than 5000 persons.
On the platform with Secretary Daniels
were Commissioner Louis Brownlow,
Ross p Andrews. president OF the Re-
tail Merchants Association; Mai Gen.
George Barnett, head Of the Marine
Corps, and Col. McLemore. in charge of
marine recruiting in the United States.
In introducing Secretary Daniels, Presi-
dent Andrews said:
Ladies and gentlemen. and fellow
citizens Of Washington, We wish to show
the people in the States that although
we are not full-fiedged citizens of these
United States. inasmuch as We have no
vote. we still are as patriotic as anv
one in any State in the United States
THE Retail Merchants Association Of
Washington has fer several years held
an annual booster exclusion for the pur-
pose OF boosting trade. This year w.
have set aside business interests to Of
fer ourselves and our financial support
10 securing recruits for the Marine
Corps.
Secretary Daniels said:
THE Navy Department, and ths
naval establishment. very deeply ap-
preciate this patriotic enterprise Of the
Retail Merchants Association Of the
District Of Columbia
'On your annual trip down the Po-
tomac you have. this year. volunta-
rily relinquished the advancement Of
your own personal business for the
aggrandizement of the nations business
You have. unsolicited. offered to make
fha snaCial ~ ~
paign for recruits for the United States
Marine Corps. and I am glad TO extend
to you the compliments and thanks OF
the Navy Department for this. your
unselhsh patriotism and loyal enterprise.
"AncIent and Honorable"
THE Marine Corps is an ancient and
honorable body of troops. You know
something of its history You know
that it has Gained glory and renown I'm
carrying our flag into Asia. Africa. the
continents OF America and into the islands
of the eastern and western seas. Very
soon, it now appears. the Marine Corps
will carry Old Glory over the fateful
battlefelds of Europe. We Join in pride
of this valiant little organization OF
lighting men; we feel confident that.
wherever it may go. the Marine Corps
will maintain its own traditions Of gal
liant efficiency. as well as the honor
and prestige OF our beloved country.
Garry to the men Of the lower Potomac
the ringing call to arms. Spread the news
of the nations need. You will have with
you a section of the famous Marine
Band, and a small party OF non-commis-
stoned officers who will he armed with
application blanks and able to contribute
information and advice regarding the
needs and the desirable features of the
service
You may without hesitation inform
the countryside that now is a most op-
perfume time. not only to serve their
country we'll, but to Join the United
States Marine Corps. The Congress has
just raised their monthly pay. In addi-
ton to which they are allowed % per
cent increase when serving on board ship
or on foreign shores.
BrownIow Makes Promise.
Commissioner Brownlow, in an eloquent
address. then promised that the District
would do its bit in the war.
We will supply our quota Of troops
he said
When President Mckinley called for
men for the Spanish war the District
led In the proportion OF men given to
the army, the navy and the Marine Corps.
The District will lead IN this war;
The Commissioner paid a glowing trib-
ute to the District lads who have already
enlisted, and wished the boosters sue
cessful trip.
Between the speeches the Marine Band
struck up THE Star Spangled Banner"
and America" and the entire thronS
Joined in singing them.
At the conclusion Of the rally the boost
ers rushed to the wharf in motor cars.