Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-07
Richie Leads
and Reviews
Procession.
COLUMN TAKES
OVER 3 HOURS
Pre-MOtOriZed Era
Recalled by Old
Equipment.

The largest and most colorful
of the nine annual f1remen's
parades passed down Pennsyl-
vania avenue today between
masses of spectators, who lined
the historic thoroughfare from
Peace Monument to the Treasury
With ideal weather conditions
prevailing, fire fighters Of the Dis
trict and nine States marShaled
all their pomp and display for the
Labor day demonstration.
Powerful f1re-fighting equip
ment and marching firemen,
floatS-the products Of months
of labor-and floWer-decked auto
mobiles, military display and mar
tial music, clowns, testers and all
the other paraphernalia OF carni-
val had their place in the column,
which took more than three hours
to pass.
At 1890 o'clock the head of the
parade left the Peace Monument and
at noon the miles-long column still
covered the entire length of the line
of march. AS the various units reached
the Ellipse in rear Of the White House
they disbanded
Thousands of the 100000 who
watched the celebration were visitors to
the city for Labor day. many Of them
accompanying the f1remen to Wash
ington.
Gov. Richie Reviews.
From a reviewing stand on the south
side of Pennsylvania avenue at the Dis
trict Building an official party which
included Gov albert c. Richie of
Maryland and the District of Columbia
Commissioners, watched the parade
pass after riding at its head from Peace
Monument
Also in the official party we're Sergt.
A. J. Bargagni. director and marshal;
Odell S. Smith, general chairman of
the Washington Board Of Trade Com
mittee on Arrangements; Joseph A.
Burkart, chairman Of the Executive
Committee of the trade body group, and
heads of the volunteer State firemen's
associations and the District of Co
lumbia Firemens Association.
Unusual traffic regulations were put
in effect at $50 O'Clock this morning to
assure the parade free passage. No
parking was allowed after that time on
seven streets north and east of Peace
Monument, where the columns formed
or along the route of march. East and
west bound traffic on Pennsylvania
avenue was suspended at 1890 o'clock
and traffic crossing the Avenue was
prohibited during the period OF the
parade.
A detail of 164 policemen handled the
crowds under the general supervision of
Inspector E. w. Brown. Inspector Louis
j. Stoll was in charge of the line Of
march cast Of Seventh street. while In
Spector o. T. Davis was in charge from
Seventh street to East Executive avenue,
Hhere the parade turned into the Ellipse.
10000 in Parade.
Various estimates were made by fire
officials of the number Of firemen from
outside Washington participating in the
parade. Sergt. Bargagni placed the
number at approximately 10000.
The column commenced to form
about 9:15 o'clock this morning. Last
minute arrivals we're registered at No.
Truck Co. station at New Jersey avenue
and streets and hustled to positions
in line. Sergt Bargsgni. assisted by
Sergt. A. H. Harding, was in charge of
the formation.
AS the visiting firemen arrived at the
headquarters. they were supplied with
lunches, to be consumed later in the
day. by the Ladies Auxiliary of the local
department. Six thousand lunches were
prepared by the auxiliary under the d.
rectlon Of Mrs. Grace T. Weitzel,
president
Precisely at 1890 o'clock, the United
States Marine Band fell in behind a
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