Evening star., 1928-09-04

THE symphonic din of sirens. gong'
and bands still ringing III its ears, th(
National Capital settled down TO routine
business today after \ Labor day cele-
hrstion that combined the features OF q
MsrCi Gras. Snriners' parade, f1rcmen
Jubilee and CirCuS-ah rolled INTO one.
| After il was all over. with the last
Of more than threescore vlsltln2 nre-
ccmpanieS on its way home, the thou-
sands who were wise enough 10 feina II,
in washington over the holiday asreeo
that they had witnessed the most pre-
tenticus Labor day festival III the cl'y
history.
/ Picture of Progress.
Favored bv clearing weather. which
unveiled the sun Just as the program
started. firemen of the District OF CO.
llInlbia and four nearby States lolneo
! III staging a colorful pageant OF nte-
fighting progress picturing IN striking
manner the development OF the hre-
mems ar from the days Of the hand
drawn imp wagon TO the modern era
| Of mot, .ized monsters of nickeled steel.
! The kodern giants came for the big
/ show rom points as far away as Har-
/ risonet.rg. Va. and Newark, Del. Ihey
we're escorted by military and civilian
bands Legion drum and bugle corps,
womens auXiliaries in gay costumlng'
comedy teams on hurlesque fire engines
and gorgeous symbolic floats.
Into the fabric of the moving pano-
rama was woven the theme of protec-
ton for the home--illustrative OF the
heroic objective toward which every
fireman turns his face when he torSa kcS
mufti for the uniform and helmet OF MS
service.
s-,;r.r. ,I,is ,>,,rr>rscft,1 haCkprOltl,G
we're arranged the diversified carnival
relief touches Of an all-day program OF
festivity. This program included, in
addition 10 the big parade. drum ana
bugIe corps contest a baby carriage
parade. a fire-fighting hurleSque side
show and. finally an old-taShioncd
Hallowe' 'en-like costume Mardi GraS on
the EllipSe
AS though the continuous applause OF
admiring thr6neS from the Capitol TO
the Treasury were not reward enough
the outstanding units in the afternoons
parade and the participants in the later
events were awarded scores OF valuable
prizes by a distinguished committee OF
Judges. headed by DR.. Frank E. Gibson
The Judges. with the District Commis-
siouers and other representatives OF
officialdom, sat in a special reviewing
stand near the finish line of the parade
route.
Recalls Old Days.
The lively martial music of the Army
Band heralded the approach OF the
head OF the parade. In the front RODE
a squadron or motorcycle police, escort
ing the official marshal. Sergt. A. J.,
Bargagni. and Odell S. Smith, chairman
Of the citizens committee.
A page from the glamourouS days OF
the past. when volunteers Of the Ma
tional Capital fought fires with hand
pumps and buckets. was furnished py
the venerable hand-pumper OF the oio
Columbia Company entered at the Tore
front of the procession under auspices
of the Association of Oldest Inhabitants
of the District of Columbia. The old
wagon was all aglitter in gilt and REQ.
This engine was the first piece OF ap-
paratus used after the abolition Of the
volunteer companies in Washington.
Next came Barney. Gene and Tom,
the last Of Washington's old flrehorSes'
now pastured for the remainder OF tlleir
days at Blue Plains. They were hitcheo
ia one of the few remaining horse
drawn steam engines, long since dis
carded as regular equipment. The three
| steeds displayed touch of the same oIo
spirit that inabued them when they
| dashed to fires many years ago.
AS the vanguard Of stf1e~ parade
reached Twelfth street and PennsylVa-
MIA avenue a realistic angle was given
the celebration by the response OF
downtown fire engines TO an actual
alarm. Crowds scattered In every direc-
ton as the apparatus sped from their
quarters at Twelfth and d streets.
Maryiand's Showing Good.
Three big green engines from Balti-
more led the long line OF apparatus
from Maryland They were the same
ones which made memorable 40-miie
run 10 the Capital in the early morning
hours last January during the nelgnl
Of the wave Of incendiarlsm wnlcn was
terrorizing the city They had come
hack to receive from grateful citizenry
the well deserved acclaim OF the ma.
tional Capital They were applauoeo
from one end of the Avenue to the other
The volunteer companies from Mary
land made resplendent appearance.
Their equipment was Of the most moo
ern design, and many Of their engines
were as large and formidable looking
as those Of their city cousins
Takona Park. Md, had clown APP
| paratus as Part of its entry. The tramps
and clowns which manned this appa-
ratus had numerous accidents en-
route to the Treasury, and they also
succeeded in putting out dozens OF con
| fagrations." much to the htlarity OF the
| children and grown-ups,
A futuristic conception Of f1reflghtmg
| was furnished by the ladies Of the Sill
| yer Spring department. who entered an
airplane fire engine. containing
| Youthful fire chief" The plane was
| drawn BY score Of men dressed IN
/ white
The Kensington department brought
with ID a water plug. Cottage Cttys
| fire engine was followed by red, white
! and blue float, Ioaded with bautiful
] feminine volunteers. Frederick mad one
/ of the most attractive groups In the
/ procession There was an old nose carr
i on two wheels, drawn by score OF
youngsters. and an old gold-plateo flre
engine with the sign, In service loi
/ so years"
Annapolis. always a stanch con-
tender for first honors In fire parades
presented an impressive appearance
with its modern apparatus and nattlly
uniformed moke-eaterS. Mount Ralnie'
offered a hose wagon filed with straw
hated woman volunteers. Seat PleaSan
evoked applause all along the route WIZ
It's fantaStically conceived and executed
engine, graced with beautiful girls ant
decorated with gorgeous peacock tai
In the rear Rockyiile's company turnet
oct in fun force augmented by attrac
tive women In overalls,
Legion Joins In.
Alexandria Post No "a American
Legion. supplied plenty OF inspiring
! cadence for the marching units Thh