The Washington herald., 1917-05-11
MERCHANT PARTY
TO BOOST CORPS
Business Men Will Stimulate
Marine Enlistments Down
the Potomac.

Washington, alive with war talk and
breathing war atmosphere, will have its
martial spirit further stirred when the
Retail Merchants Association joins in the
demonstration on May 26 the big day
for the Washington merchants
Arrangements for the recruiting trip
down the Potomac on the steamer St
Johns are nearing completion and the
special committee in charge Of the DEM
onstration yesterday completed details
Of the demonstration that will make the
booster recruiting trip memorable.
The school children Of the District will
take part in the preliminary celebration
in Washington, by singing patriotic airs,
accompanied by the Marine Band, at the
Ellipse. r. P Andrews, Joseph Ber-
berick and Frank V Kinian are in chars
of the event, with Charles J. Columbus
as secretary.
More than 100 prominent business men
OF the District will march in the parade
which probably will be reviewed by
President Wilson and Secretary of War
Baker.
The object Of the effort is to awaken
patriotism and TO procure recruits for the
Marine Corps. To that end. a fully
equipped recruiting party Of the Marine
Corps will be on board the steamer
Recruit Bail on Steamer.
There will be a recruit ball held on
board the st. Johns at Leonardtown,
Nd, tomorrow night. starting at o'clock
and continuing until 11:3O. and 10 which
all of the people of southern Maryland
are being invited through posters dis
ributed by the Marine Corps
The Marine Band will furnish he
music for this ball, as well as for the
recruit rallies to be held at this and
shores OF the lower. Potomac in 9th
Maryland and Virginia Able spea,.ers
from the Marine Corps will address the
people as to the history Of the corps, its
brilliant achievement during the past
lSI years, and the advantages to accrue
to those who serve their country in the
ranks during the present war.
The surgeon Of the recruiting party
will examine all applicants for enlist
ment. and those physically and other
wise acceptab BILE will be able to return to
Washington on the st. l. shere
their enrolment in the ( rWsE be
completed. 1t is expected that several
soldiers Of the allies Of the United States
now in this country and fresh from the
trenches of France. will make the trip
and give a graphic description Of the
battle that has been entered upon for the
perpetuation OF all that Americans hold
dear
Great Opportunity Afforded.
Nc such opportunity has ever been
given the people OF Southern Maryland
and Virginia to get in touch with the
world war. Text and posters covering
the trip are being sent to the newspa-
pers and postma sters of Southern Mary
land and Virginia.
This patriotic demonstration. being con.
Quoted under the auspices of the Retail
Merchants Association. Is expected tC
prove one OF the most spectacular and
helpful undertakings OF this organiza-
ton.
Business has been barred entirely from
the matter. The energy Of every one in
the party will be devoted to securing re.
cruits and. as an incentive Frank "
Killian. vice president. has offered
Prize OF 81 to the merchant participant
in the trin who secures the greatest num-
her of recruits. The party will return tc
Washington Sunday at l2 o'clock.