Evening star., 1921-11-12
CROWD NEAR PANIC.
Fire Engines Try to Pass Through
Throngs at Illumination.

Attempts to move all the traffic In
the vicinity Of the State. War and
Navy building down New York ave-
nue. to 18th street last night. during
the illumination for the arms confer
ence, developed a jam that the sew
eral score Of policemen on duty had
difficulty In breaking, even with the
aid of the sirens and bells on fire en-
gines.
With a solid Jane of automobiles
five and six abreast moving slowly
House, the fire engines made an at
tempt to get through. instead of fol-
lowing the line of least resistance
through north E street. The fire was
at 18th and E streets. The engines
were forced to stop for five minutes
could see there was no possibility of
moving they continued changing their
bells and blowing the sirens. almost
throwing the crowd into a panic.
Many automobilists, in an attempt to
clear the road. jumped the curbing
south of the State, War and Navy
building and drove onto lawns on the
south of the roadway.
The police on duty at 18th street
failed utterly in their attempts to
axe an opening the dppd-
ratus. although the bells and sirens
could be plainly heard when the en-
gines entered the Ellipse.
Chief Breaks Through Crowd.
Pedestrians crowded 18th street
south of New York avenue. which
was closed to vehicular traffic They
were waiting for the lighting of the
arch Of jewels. Just before o'clock,
while the people were looking ex-
pectantly for the lighting, fire de-
partment chief returning from the
fire broke through the crowd at E
street and turned into 18th street.
The violent ringing of his bell sent
the crowds scurrying to the pave
trying to get closer to the arch.
Pleadings of cool-h eaded people in
the crowds not to hurry. as there was
no danger. prevented what possibly
might have resulted in a number of
people being crushed. The crowds
passed, only to be forced to hustle a
clearance again to make way for two
fire engines.
The failure of the engine companies
to use other streets in returning from
the fire after the need for haste was
over was the source Of much adverse
comment on the fire department by
scores of persons in the crowds.
President I'm jam.
Shortly after the congestion caused
by concentration of fire apparatus
had been relieved somewhat, but
while automobiles still were jammed
from curb to curb on lower 18th
street, all headed south regardless of
traffic rules, President Harding's party
turned into the thoroughfare from the
White House. led by motor cycle Off
GERS, and the presidential chauffeurs
experienced the third serious traffic
tangle of the day.
through the ordeal with tenders and
paint unscathed 1t was miracle.
The traffic 1ieutenants, foreheads per-
spring, fought, yard by yard, to open
wider the wedge their sidecar outfit
managed to make in order that the
switch, with which he was to signal
for the outburst Of light on the
jeweled tower.
Comes to Pause.
Time after time the four high
powered machines carrying President
and Mrs. Harding, military aides and
numerous secret service men were
compelled to come to a halt while a
lane was being cleared through the
mass OF vehicles. At the intersection
Of 18th street with B street the prob
1SAi "oS SSCh 81 CdtcI anu Ine HreS1-
dents limousine stood for a matter
of minutes. during which period Mrs.
Harding. unconcerned apparently over
the traffic difficulties. took occasion
to smile and wave at a small child
in small car alongside and to a
group of bashful children gathered
on the curb.
Finally narrow passage leading
to the court of honor was forced
open, and. with secret service men
on the running boards. the machines
pushed their way clear of the jam. A
moment or two later, but nearly a
half hour after the scheduled time for
starting the electrical display, the
great illumination scheme blazed
forth in all its glory.
1t is likely that q number of motor
lists will tell friends today that their
cars have the distinction of having
brushed tenders or running boards
with the White House Limousine last
night.
The committee on forestry policy
Of the United States Chamber Of
Commerce, which Is gathering data
on which to base recommendations