The Washington times., 1919-08-22
CITY TO GREET
YANKSSEPT. 10
WITH HOLIDAY
Baker to Review First Division
in Absence of President on
League Tour.

that September 16 the day set for the
parade Of the First division in Wash
ington, will be a holiday in the Dis
trict OF Columbia. The Chief Execu-
tive, however, probably will not re-
view the parade himself. as he expects
10 be on his league OF nations tour
Il that time.
In the Presidents absence. Secre-
tsry Of War Baker with Gen. John J.
Pershing, probably will review the
marching veterans from the stand in
front OF the White House.
With the Presidents announcement
Of the holiday in honor Of the First d.
visions arrival in Washington. Col. w.
S. Grant, division Of operations Of the
general STAFF arranged a conference
this afternoon with Col Robert n.
Harper. chairman Of the temporary
citizens committee in charge Of the
Capitals welcome to the veterans.
Plans To Be Outlined.
Colonel Grant stated today he
would outline plans with Colonel Har-
per for cooperation between War De-
partment officials and citizens Of
Washington in making the event here
one Of national Importance.
Immediately following his confer
ence with Colonel Grant, Colonel Har-
per is expected to call a meeting Of
his business mems committee.
Colonel Grant stated this morning
that plans on the part of the War
Department were only tentative, bCt
concrete arrangements would be ;Iu-
nounced within a few days. He said,
however. that the division marching
here next month would De acc"H-
panied by its combat trains AMI the
full personnel provided for a war
time division, based on the table o.
organization Of the expeditionary
forceA
It will be the first time such a unit
has ever paraded in the United States.
Other divisions on their return to
this country have marched without
their field trains and in many caseS
without artillery The First, how
ever, will have both
Arrangements have now been made
by the War Department to have the
combat train equipment and artillery
gathered at New York to meet the
division when il returns from over
seas. The equipment there, including
the necessary number Of horses for
machine gun units, artillery, officers
mounts, and field and combat trains
will be taken from outlying sections
near New York This will not be the
identical equipment used by the div
sion on the other side, il was an
nounced, but will reproduce 1t in every
respect.
Parade In New York.
Following the parade in New York
the entire division will come 10
Washington on more than a score Of
troop trains. The unloading of wag-
Ia
place in the Washington yards, but
the dismounted personnel Of the divi-
sion will be held in Camp Meade dur
ing the day or two the unloading is
progressing.
An idea Of the size Of a division
and the enormous amount Of labor in
volved for such a parade as the one
planned in Washington can be OBJ
tanned from the number of men and
animals in an infantry brigade alone.
In one infantry brigade, composed OF
two regiments and a machine-gun
battalion, with a brigade headquar-
ters detachment, there is an enlisted
strength Of approximately 5000 men.
The animals required 10 move the
combat trains Of a brigade which
stretches for about five miles in sin
gle column, are approximate 800
a combat division, equipped as the
First will parade here. viii be COM
posed Of two brigade Of infantry, one
brigade Of artillery-three regiments
the field and combat trains OF the
three brigades, an ammunition train.
a supply train, a sanitary train, a
hospital and an ambulance train, and
a headquarters troop, mounted.
Tractors 10 Pull Guns.
In order 10 give Washingtonians
and the Thousands oC outsiders 2
chance to witness modern equipment.
one OF the artillery regiments prob
ably will be motorized. and instead of
having the guns pulled by animals.
the huge rifles Of modern warfare
viii be drawn down PENNSYLVANIA
avenue by great tractors with cater
pillar wheels.
There may be a number Of tanks in |
the parade simply as an accompanv- 1
ing feature Of the triumphal process !
sion. although the tanks are grouped /
in units by themselves and are not /
included in the makeup Of a Division |
II is estimated that at least three |
hours viii be consumed in the diyi- /
siOn's passing given point Al I
though no time has been set by the 4
officials in charge Of the parade. il ]
IS prophesied that the parade will /
noon. IT viii taFe hours for the .
whole division TO form and get in .
position 10 fall in line at the Peace /
Monument for the. passage up Penn !
sylvania avenue.
That the return Of General Perish 1
ing and the parade OF the First Will /
be events Of more than local import /
ance have already been shown this /
Tar in advance by kilograms 70 Wash
tngton hotels, reserving rooms in ad 4
vance for the date OF the parade.
Hundreds Seek Reservations.
Mesa Ees have begun coming in .
from all section OF the United States .
asking for reservations. Il has been 4
ErOphesied that the Capitol will take
on the appearance Of the city during
the inauguration. and that thousands
Of out-of-towners viii journey TO the
Capital to see the triumphal process
sion down Pennsylvania avenue.