Evening star., 1925-08-09

Benlnd the glltIerlng spectacle that
passed through cheering throngs on
pennsylvania avenue yesterday after
noon was a system OF organization
and formation conceived and consum-
mated by Washington Klansmen.
who took a beW1idered, travel-worn
ana foot-sOre mass OF white robes
and pointed hats and placed il about
the northeast section OF the city with
the ease OF q strategist handling
model soldiers On q war game board.
The personnel of the Committee on
parade formation" which kept its
plans for solving a seemingly difficult
problem secret" UP to the time the
last delegation was placed in it's
proper place, is known only to Klans-
men. They probably never viii hear
their names broadcast as the orig
inators and executors OF 4 scheme
that contributed in large degree to
the highly successful pageant.
But the storv OF how the thousands
OF men. women and children o. the
ku KiuX KlaE swung onto Pennsyl
ve.nia avenue ,Cith q light and enthUs-
IL site step CO mot end there in tair-
ne&s 10 the paEalers. 4 glimpse behind
the curtain as the stage vas being
set. revealed q picture of discomfort
TO use the cuiuimuri OF expression.
Hours and hours OF standing in the
burning sun, waiting for the process
sion 20 begin, was the price paid by
the tErong to receive the piaudiLS OF
the sDectltors, which however. seemed
to banish imu Adiately. all thoughts OF
their experiences earlier in the day.
system Was Simple
The Washington Klansmeus Eor-
nation system was not intricate. The
fdr mi tan ~ T-ly-n No.
area east of First street ana north
OF A street northeast. by the police, to
form the parade. The head of the
column was TO be at First and E
streets northeast. Wherever possible,
entire delegations were assigned their
places on different streets in this area,
which reached out beyond Lincoln
Park. In cases where groups could
not be reached, the problem ef dis
posing of the remaining number was
answered by a klan committee at the
Peace Monument, which by its maps,
knew just where a Virgirian or an
Ohioan should form. Those, who were
unable to locate their formation street.
waited on the side-iines until their
delegations appeared in the parade and
then Joined them.
At II o'clock yesterday, ali paths
downtown turned towards the Cap
robed figures began TO flow In that
direction. In the prescribed area at
this hour was hustle and hustle to
get into position, and by ! O'Clock
there was comparative oroer as far
east as Lincoln Park. Maryland ava.
nue. and Massa sachusetts avenue were
overfiowing with Kiansmen and Stan
ton Park was solid with white roDed
figures. There was an air of solen-
nifty over the thousands. Most of
them visibly showed signs Of fatigue
They stood first on one foot and then
on the other and then would slip 10
the curb or to somebody's irons porch
and relax. Others went IN search of
food. They did not discriminate
against race, color, creed or previous
condition of seryitude, but bought III;
anything that would eatisfy an appe-
tite and quenci, 2 thirst.
Quench Thirst At Hoses.
The sun beat down on their heads
with increasing intensity. The de-
mand for liquids became more inces-
SAINT. Kind residents along 3 street,
Maryland avenue and Massachusetts
avenue brought out buckets full Of
water which were exhausted in mo-
ment. Then they attached their gar
den hoses and Kept continuous
stream of water running for the
thirsty men, women and children. AS
time grew longer more broke from
the ranks, occupied benches, swings
and doorsteps. Children In this area
saw the opportunity Of commercialism
and soon were pulling wagons about
with buckets Of real ice water which
they sold the Klansmen at cents a
glass.
Several trucks were parked at in
tersections, loaded to capacity with
soft drinks, ice cold. which were pur-
chased by the KIansmen at 10 cents
a bottle. A colored man with a
wagon load of watermelons put in
appearance and then he was the CEN
ter of attraction Standing on the