Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-07-05
INDIANAPOLIS
LIKES SANE '4TH'
WITH SPEECHES
10000 People Visit Playground
for Observance of Day
With Legion.
BIG FIREWORKS DISPLAY

I BIG FIREWORKS DISPLAY
Indianapolis awoke today to reflect that
she spent the Fourth Of July practically
without hrecrackers and We had very
enjoyable time of it. The city found
out that the new way Of celebrating the
Nations birth could be made just as
interesting as the old slam bang"
method.
Speeches, athletic events, vaudeville
stunts of skill and daring, a parade and
a night fireworks exhibit. so sareguarded
that there were none Of the dangers OF
the private manipulation of explosives,
took the place Of noise.
Officials Of the Marion County council
Of the American Legion estimated that
1000 people were at the celebration at
the state Playground Monday afternoon,
and around 5000 in the evening. Auto
mobiles were parked to the limit of the
space allowed inside of the grounds and
overlooked for many blocks in nelghbor-
ing streets. Street car service had TO
be increased by running cars over the
Illinois and Central lines as well as
College avenue TO handle the crowds.
. Hundreds came from neighbOring towns
and cities by interurban, railroad and
automobile.
FIRST APPEARANCE
OF LEGION BAND.
The program was opened at the fair
ground at I 80 O'Clock with a concert
my the American Legion band under the
direction Of Frank Delatore. The band.
which has been organized only a few
weeks. made a very favorable impression.
Its first public appearance was In the
parade over downtown streets in the
morning.
Not a single serious accident occurred
during the celebration. Ample provisions
10 care for injured were made but the
first aid station. manned by ex-Army doc
tors. nurses and hospital men had prae-
tically nothing to do.
The only hitch in the entire program
came when Ex-senator Luke Lea Of Ten
nessee. who had been billed as one Of
the principal speakers failed to appear.
John "A Reynolds, chairman Of the speak
er's committee. was assured by the states
man I'm q long distance telephone call from
his home ar Nashville, Tenn, last Fri
day that q telegram stating whether or
not be would be here would be sent Sat
urday Neither the telegram nor the
snea ker arrived.
However. the patriotic program was
not seriously abbreviated either in length
nor quality by the ex-Seuator's absence
+ United States District Attorney Frederick
Van Nuys presided and opened the at
fair. which was held in the Coliseum,
I by reading the Declaration Of 1ndepen-
dence. Admiral Robert E Coontz, rank
ing officer of the United States Navy,
and Col Alvin NJ Owsley Of Texas Of
the national Americanization commission
Of the American Legion, gave the i'm
portant addresses.
COONTZ PRAISES
STATES WAR RECORD.
"Indianapolis, the great center Of and
+ headquarters for so many Of our societies
and institutions. such as the Grand Army
/ of the Republic and the American Legion,
I and others too numerous 70 mention.
Z must be in n sense one OF the leading
I barOmeters of thought and conditions in
the United States" said Admiral Coontz.
He said that the Nation expects much
of Indiana in patriotic lines and praised
the States war record.
Stating chat the State has done It's
part In the past. the admiral declared he
is glad 10 hear that Il is proposed to
erect great memorial in indianapolis.
: Regret at the passing Of the men Of the
G. A. R was expressed.
you have provided statesmen, presi-
dents. senator's and men whose names
VIII 90 down as among the couhtry's
leaders, and il behooves you IN this great
and glorious Middle West. by your ac-
tions. to take the lead In maintaining our
/ ancient heritage and keeping alive and
. before the coming generations the glOries
of our common country"
Colonel Owsley declared that Amer
. ica's loyalty 70 world standards depends
upon the loyalty Of her people We rs
Americans have first 10 remember that
there is q place for but one kind IF loyal
ty aud that is undivided loyalty to Amer
( lea" He discussed the Americauism
program Of the American Legion.
Just before the dinner hour in the eve
ming daredevil" Chandler. an Indian
apolis balloonist. made a successful 5000
foot parachute leap from 4 hot gas bag
Community singing. led by Frank G.
/ Huston. and a number Of vaudeville stunts
/ in front of the grand stand preceded the
fireworks exhibition in the evening The
feature of the pyrotechnic display WIS n
miniature reproduction Of the battle Of
Jutland
Judge Arthur r. Robinson was toast
master at the luncheon given at the
C7avpool Hotel at noon by the Service
Club and the Military Order Of Foreign
Wars Admiral Coontz. Colonel Owsley.
Mai. Gen. George W. Read, commander
OF the Jth army Corps area; W. \.
/ Ke,cham. national commander Of the c.
A r.; Colonel OwSley and J. Frank
%Cantwel president Of the Marion County
Council Of the American Legion, were the
/ speakers.
Brightwood held a separate celebration
at Dearborn and Thirty Second streets.
Other Observances were by West Indian
apolis at Riley Park. Harold G. McGrew
Post. United Spanish War Veteran ms. at
Eleventh street and College avenue; Sa-
hara Grotton. at AIa-Lo Park; Woodside
VI. T. Sunday School. In the Margaret
J Christian Park; st. Johns Parish, at
Turner Park. and the indianapolis
Country Club at the club property.
Retired Railroad
Az D.sL NH0ID