The Washington times., 1919-09-08
sold Out

''sold Out"
This was the unwelcome sign which
faced thousands who went to the Of
nee Of T. Arthur Smith, 1905 G street
northwest, this morning to buy grand
stand tickets to view the parade Of
the First Division, September II.
The tickets we're placed on sale at
o'clock this morning. Before IL
o'clock the 2.4OO seats allowed the
public were all sold, with disappointed
hundreds still in a line which ex-
tended along G street up to Four
teenth.
The demand for seats exceeded every
.sxpectation. The thronE which sought
them approached Inauguration day
crowds in proportion. Upon learning
that no more tickets were available,
many persons complained about the
limited accommodations for an event
50 great and historical as General
Pershing's triumphal march along
PennsylVania avenue.
No Big Stands for Public.
The reserved seats for the general
public are only sidewalk stands with
several rows of chairs. Contrary to
the general idea, they are not built
away back into Lafayette Park as on
ln4uEuE1A OCCASIONS.
Col Robert n. Harper, OF the. citi-
Eens' committee, announced that addi-
tioual stands to accommodate about
1 900 persons will be constructed i'm
mediattely. Tickets for these seats
will be on sale the latter part Of the
week. The committee would erect
more stands but for the lack of time
and shortage Of labor.
Riat Call 1T Sale.
Police Of the First precinct were
fully aware of the fact that grand
stand seats FOR the parade of the
First division went on sale this
morning.
The police learned of the >sale
shortly after roll call, when q tele-
phone message was received at the
station house telling Of q large crowd
In the vicinity Of Thirteenth and G
streets. The police differed in opin-
lon as to what was tFanspiFing in
that vicinity, and the patrol wagon
was sent to the scene.
Lieutenant Sanford, upon reaching
Thirteenth and G streets. saw the
crowd and made inquiry Of q colored
porter employed At a nearby store.
"Just buying seats for Parshihg's
parade" the colored man informed
the lieutenant, and the patrol wagon
returned to the station house.
Areh COmpIetea Friday.
Arrangements for the parade are
progressing satisfactorily. The great
Victory arch will be completed FRI
day, and the grandstands are expected
20 be finished by tomorrow, when the
work OF decorating will be started.
The War Camp Community ServicSrl
is arranging one Of the most elabo-
rate welcomes for the men OF the |
First division that has ever been ac- |
corded by an organization in this |
country TO soldiers returning from |
overseas. In addition to greeting the |
returning veterans, approximately |
5000 soldiers from the military and /
naval hospitals IN Washington will 1
be conveyed to reserved places in the /
reviewing stand.
Under the direction Of Percy Fos- /
ter, choruses Of service men and citi- /
zens will be stationed at every block /
and will sing as the parade passes by. /
September IL Date StandH.
The date for the parade remains
September II, and will not be changed
under a7y circumstances, the War
department definitely announced to-
oay, IN answer to an appeal of the
Independent Order of odd Fellows,
which organization will have a parade
IN Baltimore on the same day.
Colonel Harper stated today that he
still entertAins his idea OF a public
reception for General PershinE on the
EIhpse the day following the review,
az which time citizens could be given
an opportunity TO shake hands with
Americas distinguished military
leader. He believed that il would
ofier an excellent chance for District
soldiers to meet the general.