New-York tribune., 1919-09-06
City Fathers Also Vote
100000 for Pageant
and Will Provide Seats
for $4,000 Spectators
Display Colors To-day
Flags Carried by Victorious
lst Division To Be Shown
i'll Front of Library

steps that promise to make the citys
greeting to General Pcrshing the most
spectacular homecoming event in its
long list of historic receptions.
Next Wednesday was officially set
aside as municipal holiday, thus
making it possible for every city en-
ploye to attend or participate in the
Fifth Avenue pageant. 1t was said that
numerous business houses already had
announced their intention of closing
their doors for the day.
The Board OF Aldermen adopted a
resolution setting aside 100000 Cor the
erection Of stands and the decoration
OF Fifth Avenue. and "othcr purposes
exclusively for the entertainments Of
General Pershins and his staff"
This last proviso was emphasized by
the pointed inquiry of Alderman Fall
coner as TO whether any part Of the
money thus appropriated would be
used for the entertainment Of the
Prince of Wales. President Robert L.
Moran announced that it would not.
Criticisc Grandstand Removal
Incidentally, the city officials, hav-
ing to do with the handling Of the
psrades that already have been routed
through the city's street OF pageants
and receptions were called upon to eX-
plain why it was necessary to remove
the costly grandstand that was used
for the parade Of the eth and nth
divisions. thus causing the present
difficulty in plans for welcoming Cen
eral Pcrshing.
Objection to the seeming duplica-
tion of expenditures due TO the re-
moval Of the first big grandstand was
voiced by Alderman William +. Quinn
as soon as the request of Mayor Hylan
for the appropriation of 100000 was
introduced
81 am not going to vote against the
resolution but Grover Whalen. in ask
ing for an appropriation of $450,000 for
the enterta inment and reception Of re-
turning soldiers, said that that sum
would cover every possible cost and
that not another penny would be re-
quircd," said the Alderman.
Pershing's Return Known
81 think it is about time we ceased
appropriatng money for grandstands.
/ think that the one erected on Fifth
Avenue should have been permitted to
remain there until after the return Of
x
American forces from abroad. 1t was
known that he would come home, and
it was known that he would land at
New York"
Presto Moran said that when the
first appropriation was made it was not
thought General Pershing would stop
in New York, but would go mmediately
to Washington after landing. lie said
another reason for the removal of the
grandstand was that the contract under
which it was erected called for the re-
turn of the lumber to the builders at
the end Of a stated period and that it
could not have been kept longer
1t was provided that carpenters
should begin work on the stand early
this morning, that double shifts would
he used and that they would continue
~ work until the morning of the pa
rade, placing as many seats at the dis
posal OF the committee as fast work
would permit. Estimates of experts
were that 25,000 seats would be ready
for the parade at cost of $4,000.
Prince of Wales an Issue
Alderman Falconer aroused several
OF his colleagues by calling attention
TO the paragraph in Mayor Hylan's
letter requesting the appropriation in
which list of the city's prospective
distinguished guests was mentioned.
LII duQltlOH W NSNeIdl cISuluk III was
announced that Cardinal Mercier, the
King and Queen of Belgium, the Prince
of Wales and Marshal Foch would be
the guests Of New York.
Am / to understand that a part Of
this money is to be used for the en-
tertainment Of the Prince Of Wales 2"
demanded the Alderman.
"No, think not" said President
Moran.
But understood you to say that
It was" persisted the Alderman.
The Irish members Of the board
laughed ss Alderman Falconer again
was assured that none Of the $4,000
would be used for any other purpose
than the entertainment of General Per-
shing.
Moran Issues Statement
President Moran took the discus on
seriously, however. and braved the crit
icism of Republican members of the
board. who charged him with seeking
anti-British votes, by making 81 state
ment explaining the appropriation. The
statement, which was issued immedi-
ately after the meeting of the board, {
read as follows:
"The question was raised at the
meeting of the Board Of Aldermen by
whether any portion of the money ap-
propriated was to be used for the en-
tcrtainment Of the Prince Of Wales.
"The president answered that the pur-
pose Of the meeting was to consider an
appropriation for the entertainment Of
General Pershing and the distinguished
guests accompanying him.
"The board has confined itself to a
policy of appropriating money for the
purpose of patriotic celebrations, and
SO that the citizens Of the city might
express their appreciation of the great
work that has been done by Americans
IN the theatre of war.
"The entertainment Of foreign guests
on visits of friendly nature during
times of peace should be betrayed by
private subscription. and not from the
pockets of the taxpayers"
Make Official Holiday
The Mayor sent another letter to the
board, asking that Wednesday, Scptem-
Der 10. be set aside as an official holt
day. This action was unanimously
taken by the board.
The Mayor also issued a proclama-
tion to the people, calling upon all cti-
zens of the city to display flags from
their homes and places Of business dur
ing the three days that General Per
shing will be here. The cty's own
work of decoration began during the
morning, whep flags and bunting were
draped over the entrance of the City
Hall and about the Municipal Building.
The decoration of Fifth Avenue will be