Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-27
PARADE OF TWO
Miles LENGTH
BIG SPECTACLE
Liberty Day Procession. One OF
Volume and Variety, Wins APP
plauSe of Thousands.
MILITARY ASPECT CARRIED
Government, Red Cross Nurses,
Fraternal and Labor 0rganiza-
lions In Demonstration.

Rock Island is proud of its patri-
otic demonstration last evening in
observance of Liberty day as de
creed by President Wilson.
1t can safely be said that never
before in the history OF the city, q
procession combining such variety
and volume. has been carried out so
successfully. The parade was more
than two miles in length. 1t in
Guided representative bodies from
nearly all military, civic, fraternal
ana patriotic organizations as well
as SIX departments OF the federal
government represented in the
Rock island pOstotice building. The
~marchers, aUtired in appropriate
costumes. and including large.
beautifully decorated floats repre-
sentative OF their respective organ
lzaG0uS and patriotic motives, car
ried themselves well and walked in
perfect order throughout Previous
expectations of 5000 participants in
the giant parade were fully realized
and more than $4,000 spectators
walled the line OF march, cheering
and Clapping as the various units
passed by.
The remarkable organization of
the feature was widely commented
upon. Great credit is due 10 Cap
tain Walter 4 ROsenfield, who as
grand marshal, with Captain A. Il,
Chandler. W. L. Franks and George
Schneider, Jr. as aides, exercised
splendid skill in formation direction
and leadership. Units which were
10 take part. formed with very little
confusion and in good order at the
various points OF formation named
for them. The parade, led by Cap
tain ROsenfeld and his aides, swung
into motion about o'clock on
Twenty-fOurth street and Fifth ave-
nue., the different marching bodies
joining the procession in positions
announced for them as the parade
passed the various points of mo-
biliZatiOn. The leaders were fol-
lowed by the Moline Plow Company
band which preceded 125 officers
and 40 enlisted men from the ord
nance department of the Rock Is
land arsenal With the soldier con-
tingent was a caterpillar tractor,
drawing one OF the famous French
10" field pieces and q At inch
siege gun An a-mored motor car,
manufactured on the arsenal, pro-
vided with machine guns and
field piece on revolving turrets
proved an additional center Of in
terest to spectators.
AS the troopers passed along in
perfect order and marching rhythm
people lining the sidewalks broke
into cheers, many removing their
hats in signal tokens of respect
TO the army and the flag. Women
of the Red Cross, 800 in number
and Villa de Chantal auxil-
larry Of seventy-five girls
. Offered an imposing spectacle in
fheir beautiful white dresses and
evoked much applause from the
3 crowd Leading the Red Cross
workers was a tiny little man
dressed in a cute fashion to repre-
sent a miniature Uncle Sam. while
d wee maid marched by his side in
the costume OF a Red Cross nurse
Parading with much dignity and
utmost solemnity. these tots excit-
ed the admiration and wonder OF
all.
Labor Out Strong.
Organized labor, led by Charles
J. MACEDONIAN, president of the Tri-
City Federation of Labor, was well
represented by fully 500 members
Of various trades unions carrying
banners and drawing a large float
bearing the inscription in large let
tiers, More bonds means more
fighters. TO hell with the kaiser
Labor won universal praise for the
manner in which its men got be-
hind last evenings demonstration
and aided materially in carrying
through the evenings program.
Civic bodies were we'll represent
ed in the procession, Mayor Will
liam McConochie and members of
the city commission taking part
The postofice building, represented
by the executive, carrier, and clerk
forces Of the postoffice, followed by
employees of the engineers office,
light house, internal revenue sers
vice, and federal courts, United
States marshaTs department, and
custodian service, to the number
OF seyenty-five. A group of
ladies represented Helen Gould
auxiliary of the United Span
fish American War veterans. Both
the Grand Army of the Republic
and the Spanish War veterans had a
large representation.
Leading the fraternai division
were automobiles containing the
speakers for the various meetings
that were held after the parade was
over
Led by the Kaaba band Of Daven-
port, about seventy-fye Knight
Templars marched in full dfess
uniform, creating an imposing spec
tacle. The fraternaI division was
well made up. the different costumes
Of the order causing sharp con-
trasts. Flags representing the al
lied nations were carried by the
marchers in THIS division. The Ro-
tary club, carrying small flags and
drawing a large float representing
a hugh blue wheel with the name
Rotary Club inscribed around it
fn large letters, and represented by
about one hundred members, sang
patriotic songs as they marched
along
Over four hundred Boy Scouts
took part in the procession, led by
Scout Executive w. F. Bacon and a
squad Of Is scouts in uniform bear
ing large American flags Bringing
up the rear Of this body was the
Boy Scout band. The youthful
Inarchers were greeted with enthus-
iasIn all along the line and march