Evening star., 1924-09-14
Heard and Seen

II wasn't exactly in sympathy with
this" he said. standing on Pennsyl-
vania avenue during the Defense day
parade, as the crowd watched the
marching men.
TT seemed to me the parade was an
unpsychological sort of thing. on sew
eral counts, none of which 1T will be
necessary to go into at this time
But / take it all back. Somehow,
when that steady column passed,
without a band playing, the men
walking by silently in the uniform Of
their country, it hit my heart.
There they go, men who are men,
doing their duty as men have done II
since this country was founded. Be-
hind that line stands similar lines
adown the ages, from the days of
Concord onward.
+ took my hat off. then, although
there was no flag passing, and I am
going to keep it off during the rest
of this parade"
This man was not alone in his
thoughts that afternoon. although 1t
must be confessed that many in the
crowds failed entirely to see the seri-
Gus side.
many persons taking even a solemn
occasion for a time of jest and play.
A parade in Washington always
brings out a large crowd, and many
of it's members are young boys and
girls.
Behind the lines watching the
marching. on the sidewalk. where
space is left for passing. walk boys
and girls. intent only on having a
good time.
They turn out equally for funeral
or 4 circus parade, and their conduct,
in either event, is exactly the same.
From the Treasury to the Peace
Monument they parade. laughing,
giggling. passing the time of day
with persons they know and do not
know.
The women and girls seem to have
the best time during parade, on
Pennsylvania avenue. The only way
to explain it is on the supposition
that there still are thousands of
women and girls who are home bound.
Woman's emancipation is not so
widespread, evidently, but that thou
sands of the sex still get an awful
kick" out of turning out for
parade. Big girls, little girls, all
sorts of girls. swinging along, having
good time.
Washington might appropriately be
known as the Parade City, so many
| demonstrations of all kinds are stag
| ed here.
There is a group of professional
parade makers. men who SO love a
parade that they are willing to give
hours of their time to making a new
one a success.
1t is a thing that does MAKE q
tremendous appeal to- many. The ar
rangements for successful marching
event of any kind are difficult task,
SO that one who has had experiehce
in doing 1T has great advantage
over a new man.
1t is surprising what a multitude
of details have to be worked out be-
fore a line of men can be swung down
Pennsylvania avenue for several
hours.
To the man-or wonfan-on the
sidewalk taking in the spectacle. 1t
seems easy. why, just bring 'em
down and let 'em march" But there
Ask Melvin Hazen, District surveyor,
king of parade makers. He knows.
Ideal weather greeted the Defense
day marchers. adding much to the
| enjoyment of the spectators, The
afternoon was bright and CHEEKY, with
just bit of tang to the air.
From now on Washington may he
expected to have it's usual Fall
weather, which ought not to mean
| cold weather untfl October 10, or
later
Probably no city in the. land has
prettier Autumn weather than the
National Capital. Its wealth Of trees.
with their turning leaves, adds i'm
niensely 70 the, loveliness OF the
season. CHARLES e. TRACEwEk1A