Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-05

equipment for the parade down his
tor1c Pennsylvania avenue early this
afternoon. This was to be followed by
the annual batfest this afternoon be-
tween the police and flremen, at Grif-
fifth Stadium, where these two brothers
OF the blue uniform were to fight out
their ancient grudge on the sports.
mans field of battle.
Industry at StandstllI.
Dedicated to the hosts of labor
throughout the land, the holiday was
accepted in its broader sense in WASH
ington. Not only the knights of labor.
with their hammers and saws and
many implements of muscular work.
were free from worry and toll. but the
wheels of activity, both business and
governmental as well, ceased to grind.
The Federal Government, the business
houses, the banks, the Washington
STOCK Exchange, were brought virtu-
ally to a standstill, while all avenues
OF transportation, recreation and
amusement went into high gear, with
expectations of huge, happy crowds
and many dollars.
The National Capital, with its nv.
Rad attractions, as always proved a
magnet for thousands of excursionists
VINO came to view the well known
monuments and sights of the cfty.
while on the other hand, thousands of
Washingtonians were far away seek.
ing their change Of scene in Summer
resorts among the many attractive
out-of.door places within a week end
journey. Transportation lines of all
kinds reported not only an influx of
tourists, but an exodus of Washing.
tonians. Many enjoyed the day in au.
tomoblle trips to the country.
Crowds See Parade.
Before noon the crowds began 70
gather along Pennsylvania avenue for
the parade. The colorfuI groups of
paraders themselves were assembling
beyond Peace Monument, where the
head of the column formed.
Sergt. A. j. Bargaragni of the Fire
Department, marshal of the parade,
was busy detailing the units to their
proper places, and the three principal
divisions, the firemen of the District,
the visiting firemen from Maryland
and Virginia and the merchants di.
vision, were all putting the last
touches and arrangement to their col.
orful and attractive floats and vehicles.
Following the head of the parade,
consisting of police escort, Marshal
Bargaragni and the United States Ma.
rlne Band, came section depicting in
graphic form the evolution Of the Fire
Department.
The first of this section proved the
historic old Friendship hand-drawn fire
engine, pulled by a dozen members of
the Alexandria Volunteers.
The old Columbia engine, more than
hundred years old, also was to take
part IN the parade, drawn by mem.
bers of the Association of Oldest In.
habitants, attired in the uniform of
184O and carrying the firemen's
trumpet of that day.
Fire Horses i'm Line.
Gene, Barney and Tom, well known
old fire horses who had dashed TO
many fire here in the Capital during
their younger days, but had been re.
tired to pleasant pastures at Blue
Plains with the abolition of the horse.
drawn engine, proudly took their place
In the parade as representing that era
of firefghting. Brought from their
pasture about a week ago, groomed
and put in condition for their latest
public appearance, these fire horses
appeared to enjoy the old thrill. They
were harnessed to an old steamer fire
engine from No. 13 Company and were
driven by their former master. Pvt.
r. j. Dwyer, now of No. s Engine
Company, who skillfully had guided
them to many fires in the older days.
Motor-drawn apparatus of today was
represented next in the description of
the evolution of fire fighting, but the
last section, proving a surprise, was
a glimpse into the future, with an air.
plane of 40 feet wing spread, carried
on a huge truck and painted red,
demonstrated the air fire fighters CT
the future.
Ball Game and FetI,
Fire departments of Washington,
Virginia and Maryland, with a great
display of apparatus and floats and
interspersed with bands, provided q
substantial part of the parade. and
were followed by the merchants di-
vision, with Al floats.
The parade was to proceed down
Pennsylvania avenue past the review
ing stand in front of the District
Building, where the District Commits
sioners and judges of floats were TO
De StdIlOneu, Inence 10 Ln0 ElllpSe1
where it will disband.
The ball game and fete at Griffith
Stadium is scheduled for 3 o'clock,
although the gates were to be opened
at 1870. The f1remen were ready to
take the field with a vengeance, to re-
deem their base ball honor from the
three successive defeats administered
by the police.
Nick Altrock and the Elks' Clown
Band were on the program to render
and the Marine Band was
to give a concert.
Many sermons were preached in
churches yesterday on the
subject of Labor day.
William Green, president Of the
American Federation of Labor. Is
scheduled to make an address tonight
over Station WRC.