Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-12
" "PERSHLNG DAY" IN TRIBUTE TO GENER
GOVERNORS WIFE CAUGHT
IN CROWDS AT STATE HOUSE
Thousands Throng Independence Square and Struggle for
Entrance to Hear General Pershing Deliver address

Mrs. Sproul, wife of the Governor
John Wanamaker and Mrs. j. Willis
Martin were among those who found
their path challenged by the crowd in
side Independence Hall during the
Pershing visit.
During the passage from the Declara
tion chamber to the Liberty Bell and
the stairway to the grand stand in the
square, Judge Patterson and Tax Re
ceiver Kendrick supplemented the uni
formed guides in assisting the regular
guides.
Democracy prevailed in the welcom-
ing throng gathered within and without
Independence Hall.
Outside the historic building and in
the adjacent square stood thousands of
men and women, many holding chill
dreh. Behind the police lines this pop
ular outpouring waited for and viewed
the exercises in comparative comfort.
Declaration Chamber Crowded
In the declaration chamber where the
testimonial medal was presented by
Mayor Smith the representatives of the
city's financial, industrial and political
world were packed to degree that com :
PEELED closing of the doors during the
exercises. Some of the most distin =
! guished members Of the reception com
mittee, the women aides, end other
prominent ticket holders were Obliged
to call for police escort to reach the
places assigned to them.
Superintendent Robinson was in
charge Of the police arrangements and
he took personal control of the situa
ton. Experienced traffic and reserve
patrolmen overcome the inadequate
regular Independence Hall force.
The old State House was crowded
before the general and his escort ar
rived. Distant cheering, growing
nearer and stronger, announced his
progress AS the smiling face of the
nations foremost soldier was discerned
salvo of cheers broke from sidewalk,
window and housetop.
General Salutes Flags
General Pcrshing was not proof
against the outburst. Rising in his
automobile he sauted the cheering
throngs on both sides of Chestnut street.
The sight of the tableau of allied ma =
tions grouped about the pedestal on the
front pavement moved him to forget
soldicrly stoicism for moment and
he smiled as he saluted each of the
nine flags in turn.
The "Pcrshing silc" never left the
generals features during his entire
visit, except in the delivery of emphatic
passages in his brief speech. 1t was
strongly in evidence while he handled
the shovel with which he planted the
memorial tree.
As he stood in revcrcntial silence md
laid his hand on the Liberty Bell look
of seriousness spread over the gcncral's
cOuntenance. But this stern look
quickly disappeared as he glanced up
ward to the balcony where Mrs. H. f
Pepper and her associatessin the Allies
tablcau waved their flags above him
The pistol like report of flashlight
caused Prrshing no dismay. though it
startled few of those around him.
1HiS llltle explosion was tne Slgnal
gun for Il later ordeal, when tho gen
cral spoke to the assembled host in the
Square. Newspaper and professional
cameras furnished the heavy artillery,
tlanked by scores of amateur photog
raphers. Hundreds of souvenir snap
shots were taken of this episode, the
only number on the independence Hall
program visible to all spectators.
Many Flags in Evidence
Numerous small flags waved from the
crowd as General Pershing, leaning
with both hands resting on the counter
like railing of the rostrum. emphasized
n telling point in his remarks. He began
his speech uncovered, but later replaced
his cap.
Turning from the memorial tree he
had just set in the ground the general
spoke few words to several of the
women of the Red Cross cantecn corps
clustered about. He shook. hands with
Mrs. Smith and chattcd with her as