Evening star., 1919-02-21
SEEKS R|FLESFOR
TROOPS |NPARADE
Chairman Harper Again
Takes Up Matter With
War Department.
HELMETS ALSO SOUGHT

Another effort will be made today to
for the discharged District soldiers to
carry in the parade, which is to be
staged in their honor next Thursday
afternoon.
Robert \. Harper, chairman of the
committee on arrangements. said to-
day he realized the men xoAid look
tame and awkward marching uS
Pennsylvania avenue in their uni
forms without rifles or other equip
ment.
He was discussing the problem this
afternoon with Brig. Gen. Richard D.
Simms. commander of the District Ma
tionai Guard. in the hope of finding
some way of getting at least rifles and
helmets for the men.
Sure Equipment Is Here.
Mr.. Harper said he felt sure there is
enough equipment at Washington bar
racks and other Army stations close
to Washington which could be issued
to the District soldiers the morning
of the parade and returned that night.
The several hundred District troops
at Camps Meade and Humphreys
which have not been mustered out
yet undoubtedly will bring their
arms and equipment TO Washington
with them on parade day. but the
1000 former soldiers who have left
the camps and are. now in the city
Will have to march bare handed un-
less Chairman Harper can make some
arrangement within the next few days
to have equipment loaned them for
the day.
A number of wounded Washineton
men from Walter Reed Hospital will
have an honored position in the line
of march, with Maj. Gen. George Bar
netts pretty marinettes as a special
escort
Chairman Harper said he would
take steps today to have Washing
tons colored soldiers, who arrived at
Camp Meade yesterday, brought to
Washington for the parade. These
men were formerly the 1st Separate
Battalion of the District National
Guard. and they saw hard service in
France.
Y to Throw Building Open.
The Y. NJ c. A announced today
that it's big building. near 18th and G
streets, win be thrown open to the
soldiers as they disband from the
parade after passing the Presidents
reviewing stand at the White House.
Realizing that these men would be
standing in line for several hours, the
Y. NJ. c. A. has arranged to make the
shower baths and swimming pool
available for them. They also will be
served with coffee and doughnuts
Just as they were in France. A COM
mittee of women headed by Mrs. Will
liam NJ. Black will be at the building
to receive them.
The War Camp Community Service
notified Mr.. Harper this morning that
it will have large representation of
its workers in the parade in uni
form.
Several companies of naval yeo-
women. in their neat blue uniforms
and several hundred uniformed Red
Cross nurses also viii add color to
the parade.
Monday Last Honor Roll Day.
The parade committee reminded
Washinstonians today that if they
want their names on the honor roll
of those who helped welcome the
soldiers home they should send their
contributions in not later than Mon
day. Checks should be made payable
Cuno H. Rudolph. Second National
Bank. A contribution of $500. one of
the largest yet pledged, was received
by the committee last night from
Roland Robbins, manager of .Keiths
Theater.
Organizations were reminded today
that II they desire to march they
should communicate with Melvin C,
Hazen, District building. Main 5000
before Monday.
Singers willing to join in the big
chorus in Lafayette Park, opposite
the Presidents reviewing stand. on
parade day should send their names
to Mrs. Priscilla Wilkinson Streeter
president of the National Anthem As
sociation, ll50 Connecticut avenue,
tomorrow
Elmer f. johnson, chairman of the
committee on enrolment of parents,
is holding a meeting in the rooms of
the Chamber of Commerce this after
noon to make final arrangements for
the mothers and fathers of soldiers
Il l,,x,g u,