Evening star., 1927-09-30
CAPITAL OFFICIALS
TURN0UTF0RA ARMY
Relief Society's Show and
Battle Opens With Parade
Through City.

Official Washington turned out en-
snasse today to witness the spectacular
reproduction of the World War battle
of Madeleine Farm rs the feature
event of the military circus and expo
sition staged at Washington Barracks
for the benefit of the Army Relief
Corps.
At the last moment it was hoped
that President and Mrs. Coolidge might
he able to attend the opening of the
greatest military display the Capital
nas ever witnessed. but no positive as
suranceS were forthcoming from the
white House. The President will at
tend either tonight or tomorrow, how
e.ef, e his official duties permit.
Full Dress Is Worn.
The gold braid of fun dress uniforms
gave color to the scene as thouSa nds
swarmed through the gates in motor
cars and afoot before the opening event,
at 2:30 o'clock. A notable array of
Army and Navy officers, together with
many prominent Washington society
folk, were included among the patrons
for the affair, which will be repeated
in spectacular fashion tonight and to-
morrow. Vice President and Mrs.
Dawes were among the patrons, as
well as Secretary of War Davis and
his Assistant Secretaries. Dawson and
MacNder, and their wives. Gen. Per
shing is absent in France. but more
than 80 major generals. headed by Mah
Gen. Summerai, chief of staff, most
of whom served overseas during the
World War, were among the inter-
ested spectators.
Thousands of Washingtonians who
I,n tI 70 xt-if f.llEN
circus lined Pennsylvania avenue and
thronged about the Tidal Basin
shortly after the noon hour for the
military parade which preceded the
performance at the barracks. About
$500 troops. representing all branches
of the service, were included in the
line of march, which started up the
Avenue from Sixth street and wound
its way around the Treasury and the
Tidal Basin and thence through South
west Washington to the grounds.
Many Veterans Participate.
A number of those who actually par
ticipated in the bloody battle of Made
leine Farm on October 9, 1918, in
which 50 many Americans lost their
lives, are taking part in the ma
neuvers today Units in the parade
included the famous Troop f of the
Sd Cavalry, the silent drill company
of the 18th Infantry from Fort Wash
jngton; batteries of the 18th Field
Artillery and detachments of the En-
gineer, Signal. Corps, Chemical War
fare and Medical departments. Col.
Alexander B. Cox of the general staff
was marshal of the parade.
AS Il unique episode of the exposi-
ton a number of wives of generals
and other high ranking Army officers,
attired in aprons and other kitchen
apparel, were assigned to mess"
kitchens to serve the guests with
Army chow, while their pretty daugh.
terS, donning dainty French maids
costumes, helped. The Army and So
ciety women also managed fortune
telling and charity sales booths.
+ The sham battle depicting the two
attacks of Americans on the German
stronghold of Madeleine Farm during
the Argonne drive was arranged to
display modern warfare in all it's real
Ism with airplaneS courSing overhead,
tanks splitting fire and encountering
high explosive mines, sputtering ma.
chine gun fire and infantry advancing
through screens of smoke. The sham
encounter will be staged tonight. with
night air bombing and searchlight dis.
play.
Pigeons VIII Race.
An interesting feature of the after
noon performance today will be the
pigeon race to Camp Meade. "Presi-
dent Wilson," the most famous of all
Army pigeons, who carries wound
stripe received when he lost leg
in action in France, will be among the
entries. Roxy" is coming down from
New York to help Marie Gambarelli.
otherwise known as Candy" and
Douglas Stanbury release the pigeons.
Many survivors Of the 4th, 5th, 18th
and 80th Divisions who participated
in the battle Of Madeleine Farm will
be among today's spectators and
actors in the reproduced scene. Capt.
Serene Brett, who commanded the
Tanks in the engagement, will be the
stunt performer today and Is sched
uled to be "blown up" by a INT
mine explosion. Other features of the
affair include Infantry, Artillery, Cav.
airy and Tank drill exhibitions.
The gates at the Washington Bar
racks opened at l o'clock. Unlimited
parking space is provided within and
outside the Barracks. The Traffic Bu.
reau today issued the following traffic
directions:
Street cars-Seventh street and
Ninth street cars (south) to gates of
Barracks.
Motor traffic-O street southwest
will be one way to the east from
Sixth street southwest to Delaware
avenue southwest; P street southwest,
one way from Delaware avenue to en-
trance to grounds; Four-and-a.half
street, one way from p street south.
west to G street southwest, going
north.
Visitors are advised to use Della wa re
avenue or Third street southwest from
q street south to entrance of the
grounds.