Evening star., 1924-09-07
THOUSANDS IN LINE
FOR DEFENSE DAY
Washington Response to
Call Compares FavorabIy
With Other Cities.

Oay DaT1de
here Friday will compare favorably
with the ceremonies planned for that
day in other cities, according to the
results OF a survey made by The Star
to hnd out how many men are re-
spending to the calls of local com
mittee chairmen for one-day voIun-
teers.
The number of men in Washing
tons parade has not been estimated,
but there is an increasing number of
enlistment blanks coming in each
day. Last night there were approx
mately 1,500 signed enrolment
blanks in the hands Of the central
committee. 1t is expected that to-
morrow will show a great influx from
organizations which took out large
patches Of blanks and which have
been holding them until a 100 Der
cent response had been received.
Many of the Government depart
ments. in addition, are organizing
their own units, while many organi-
cations will march in a body.
Reports From Other Cities.
kilograms received by The Star
from different cities indicate what
is going on in preparation for De-
fense day in other parts of the coun-
try.
Chicago reports there will be ap-
proximately 10000 civilians in it's
parade.
Cleveland reports that only re-
servists, national guardsmen and high
school cadets will march and expects
about $500 in the parade
Detroit will hold no parade.
Los Angeles. Calf, sends word that
it's quota of 10000 civilians will be
exceeded
Memphis, Tenn, reports that plans
for Defense day are still in the max
ing.
New Orleans states that 5000
civilians are enrolled for the parade
already, with more than 90, 900 in view
Philadelphia reports that 10000 will
be in line.
Pittsburgh estimates that 20, 900 will
be In its parade.
st. Louis will have 10000 in it's pa
rade, according to latest estimates
st. Paul reports that 400 civilians
have volunteered and that there prob
ably be 500 more by Defense day.
Boston sends word that no estimates
are available but that a good response
is anticipated.
Mass Meeting Tomorrow.
Tomorrow at II o'clock there will
be big mass meeting Of the en-
ployes of the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing, which will be ad-
dressed by. officials in charge of the
Defense day ceremonies here, and it is
expected that large unit will come
from this branch of the Government.
The National Guard of the District
of Columbia is recruiting it's various
units up to full war strength with
ont relations to the enrollments being
received by the central committee,
and also the organization of units al
lotted to the local National Guard
under the defense scheme. but which
have not yet come into being here.
In order to stimulate competition
between the various guard organiza-
tions. the unit that reports the larg-
est per cent of its war strength as
present and participating in the cere-
monies on Friday will be awarded
trophy. 1t will be presented at exer-
cises held at the Armory the follow
ing Tuesday.
The company, detachment, or SINH
lar unit securing the largest number
of defense test volunteers will be au-
thorized to select $50 worth of equip
ment for the company rooms. While
there has been no accurate check as
yet made on the volunteers enlisted
by companies it is understood that
COMPANY ISlSl COIn-
manded by Capt. Ray w Keesee,
Company c. 121st Engineers, COM
manded by Capt. William ]. Jorgen-
son, and Battery A. 2e0th Artillery.
commanded by Capt. Louis M. Gosorn
are making excellent showings and
are running very close so far.
Further inducements among enlist
ed men include a tailor-made serge
uniform to the enlisted man bringing
in the greatest number Of volunteers,
above rs, and the enlisted man in
each company bringing in the great
est number above will be author
lied to have the issue uniform fur
nished him altered to fit.
responsibility is left directly upon
the various unit and higher COM
manders for obtaining 100 per cent
attendance of the war strength of
their respective commands. The right
guide of each unit having a 100 per
cent strength will be allowed to carry
100 per cent present guidon" in
the parade. Reports are being sub
mitted weekly as to progress being
made in companies and detachments.
1t is pointed out that all physically
fit males between the ages of 18 and
As are eligible to participate, and no
physical examination is required. 1t
is not expected that this date will be
a legal holiday except for those par
ticipating in the ceremonies and civ
ilian employees.
Members of the Officers Reserve
Corps and Enlisted Reserve Corps
will not be eligible to enlist as volun-
teers. There are many reserve Off
GERS who are members of the Ma
tional Guard, but this will not apply
to them.
Efforts are being made by MEM
bers of Company A, 121st Engineers,
to enroll students of the various
schools and colleges in that company
in separate units. Sergt. r. W. Ire
land and F.. ]. Hernandez are in
charge of this phase Of the re-
cruitins.
The veterans of Silver Spring, Ia
koma Park and vicinity are getting
ready for a big celebration on De-
tense day and are shaking the moth
balls from their old uniforms. The
citizens have prepared celebration
for the day at the ball park where
Georgia avenue crosses the District
line. There will be patriotic exer-
discs, drills and athletics in the
afternoon. After supper Lieut.. Col.
Thomas J. Dickson of Washington
will deliver an address on the sub
iect of Building a Greater Amer
ica." He is a retired Army chaplain.
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