Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-30
VAST THRONG IN PARK
WILL RECEIVE ENJOYS
Joffre, Viviani and Others to
Pass Through Lane of
Sympathizers

a great lane OF people will be formed in
Fairmount Park Thursday afternoon.
through which Marshal Joffre, NJ. Viviani.
French Minister of Justice. and the military
experts In the special Entente War Com.
mission will pass
That will be only one o. the features
that will! mark the reception to the dis
tingulshed visitors. Mayor Smith and the
members OF his executive committee are
hard at work upon plans. and the event
Is expected 10 be one OF the gre atest in the
long list Of Philadelphia's public receptions.
More than 900 school children are
to be massed In Falrmount Park to share in
the welcome to the distinguished guests.
The colossal task of assembling these chill
dren along the slopes and drives Of the
Park. where they can see the hero OF the
army of France. will be undertaken by the
heads OF the various city departments, who
have been requested by the Mayor to give
their full cooperation in making the day
the greatest event in the history of the
schools.
II Is the plan Of the Mayor and the
heads Of the city schools to form a vast
human lane In the historic Park Through
this lane the eminent guests of Philadelphia
will slowly ride TO the William Penn Man
sion. where more than 10000 pupils of the
higher grades will join in exercises be-
fitting such an occasion.
In every school in the city on the day
preceding the reception there will be read
the story of Marquis dc Lafayette and the
important part which France played In the
shaping Of our Republic. Mayor Smith will
have circulated among the children brief
biographical sketches of the members or
the war council who will share in the
honors to be paid the famous leaders.
Properly to prepare these lie stories OF
Marshal Joffre NJ. Nviani and their dis
tnguished countryman. DR. Ernest La Place,
.I,,l.., s,
Pennsylvania held long distance telephone
conferences yesterday with NJ. Jusserand.
the French Ambassador in Washington, and
members of the embassy, who have prom
iaed their cooperation in furnishing such
data as may he required
Doctor La Place is also in charge OF tho
assignment Of automobiles for the various
members of the party. AS some OF the
commissioners are unable to understand
English the grouping "!n be such that
II will he possible TO have French
speaking guide in every automobile re-
served for them, special committee will
| he appointed tomorrow by the Mayor TO
! take charge of the immediate details con-
nected with the sightseeing features Of the
| demonstration.
TO make the occasion of the visit Of the
| War Commissioners the most significant in
! the history Of the city since Lafayette was
| the guest of the nation and the municipal
| ity in Independence Hall, the Mayor will
| call upon every resident individually to
| share in the public greeting.
civic and military organizations not in
| cluded in the formal program are requested
| to march with their bands to Farmount
| Park, where they will be reviewed by the
| city's guests they pass in their automo-
| biles on the way to Valley Forge.
| Chestnut street the route to he taken
by the commissioners on their way to In
| dependence Hall, will be canoped with the