Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-22
CHICAGO THRONGS
SET NEW RECORD
Previous Marks Made by Big
Athletic Events Fall Before
Religious Assembly.
BY ROBERT T. SMALL.

CHICAGO. June 22.-The modern
mind has accustomed itself to associ
ating great gatherings of people with
some outstanding sporting event
There are the record crowds of 10000
persons AT the worlds series. 10000
at the big foot ball clashes. 10000 at
the Kentucky Derby. a quarter of a
million at the English Derby. These
are the events by which crowds are
measured.
But here in Chicago a religious
congress has set new mark for out
door gatherings. with the greatest
assemhlage of men. women and chill
dren the world has ever seen. The
estimates of the crowds of the last
two days in and about the amazing
, open air cathedral built in Soldiers
Field of Grant Park. vary from
100000 to 100000. The accurate fig
ure is somewhere between these two
guesses The multitudes were over
whelming.
The congress began quietly enough
on Sunday. Then the visiting pill
grims and the local celebrants were
scattered among the 300 Catholic
churches of the Chicago diocese.
There was no concentration. Some
Catholics plainly were downcast'
They thought the expected crowds
had not come.
And so 1t remained for the cen
trail meetings in the vast outdoor
auditorium to bring realization OF
what this congress really is. me
Catholic Church has called together
the greatest religious gathering the
world has ever known. No other
religious denomination or sect could
equal IT, The figures come back to
IT,,
hishops, more than 500 monslgnori-
where else could such an overpow-
ering array of clergy be mustered.
But care is being taken on every
hand to stress the fact that this Eu-
chartstiC Congress is not intended as
a. display of the far-reaching power
of the Catholic Church or as a chai'
lenge to the other creeds or organi-
cations.
Far be it from us to look upon It
~ demonstration of our strength
and numbers" says Cardinal Mum
deein who brought the congress here.
Little would it avail us were 1t TO
vaNnt our superiority and our own
glory.
Rather is il our hope that the
example of our vivid attachment TO
the Holy Eucharist and our evident
appreciation of the gift which is ours
therein may encourage honest souls
outside the church to learn for them
selves of his marvellous cOAdescen-
sion on Gods part to us humans.
Through all the sermons and public
statements the appeal Is being made
for all persons to turn to religion. ON
every hand is the effort of clergy and
laitv alike to explain the Catholc
Church TO those witt out 1t. This con
gress is not only a demonstration but
an attempted explanation of the Catho-
lie faith 1t is carrying the Catholic
word afar. 1t is manifestly impress
stve. Mem women and clergy of other
religious faiths look on in wonder.
Traffic of nearly every sort was
shut off from the Loop on Monday.
This means the heart of Chicago. An
uncanny hush settled over the city.
The crowds which streamed along
the sidewalks and sometimes over
flowed into the streets We're silent
earnest. intent on reaching the
Mass of the Angles.
The silence and the weird deserted
streets at midday got on the nerves
of Chicago. The pedestrians didn't
like it. They" have become ac
customed to the perils of automotive
traffic. When the automobiles were
not there they seemed more disturbed
than ever. The peril was unseen
hut it seemed somewhere about.
After a few hours the order was
rescinded. The Loop" began to
hum again. Chicago breathed a sigh
Of relief. The city fathers learned
they could not turn back the clock.
Honolulu Is widening It's business
streets at A cost of $500 000.