Evening star., 1934-09-17
Boisterous Reception Given
as GroWn-Ups Become
Children in Spirit.
ELEPHANTS IN FILE GIVE
HAZEN BIG-TOP SALUTE
Pachyderms Rise in Unison, Feet
to Back, at Climax-Steam
Calliope Thrills.

Washington sloughed off super
f1uous years and sophistication today
and gave boisterous reception to the
city's first big circus parade in more
than decade
Crowds rivaling those of Inaugural
ton day turned out in the perfect
weather. 1t was the first day of
school, and many juveniles were nee
essarily missing from the ranks, but
the spirit of the spectators was youth
full to say the least.
When the Hagenbeck- Wallace pro-
cesion paused before the District
Building to honor the Commissioners,
tens OF thousands filled every point of
vantage on neighboring structures,
overflowed the sidewalks and crowded
into Pennsylvania avenue.
Proves Parade Climax.
This was the climax of the parade,
which preceded matinee and night
performances today and tomorrow at
the circus lot, Fifth street and Florida
avenue northeast.
Thirty-two elephants, marching in
single file, their trunks grasping the
tails of the next in line, were halted
and ordered to salute Commissioner
Melvin c. Hazen as he stood at the
curb with party of friends.
The elephants rose in unison, curl
ing trunks upward as each placed
his forefeet on the back of his neigh
Dor. The order was issued by one
OF the big tops most famous head
elephant men, Cheerful" Gardener,
whose friends say he never smiles.
Then all 80 whistles of the great
steam calliope, one of the last of its
kind, broke into a sentimental echo
OF bygone days. The tune was Garry
Me Back to Old Virginny," and hats
came off all along the line as native
sons turned back the calendar.
This tune and Dixie were played
IN Mr.. Hazen's honor by Ray Choissei,
said to be the last of the steam calliope
musicians. Before the procession
moved on again the elephants were
ordered to lie fat on Pennsylvania
avenue.
Some of the crowd mistook the
maneuver for a general elephantine
mutiny and wondered if traffic would
ever move again. The whole cere-
mony, however, occupied less than
five minutes and at a command from
Cheerful" the procession moved on.
Arrive in Sunday Rain.
The 47-car show arrived in the mud
and rain early yesterday. Camels
grumbled and elephants showed might
ly at the big wagons as wheels begged
down and torches fickered in the
downpour.
But the show went on location on
time. This morning found everything
in readiness under bright sky, with
banners flying from the peaks of the
huge "nine-pole" menagerie tent, larg-
est in the world, and great sawdust
carpet spread for the public.
Promptly at $50 am. the parade
moved from location. 1t was led by
one of the worlds most famous band
wagons, the Adam Forepaugh coach,
whose crimson sides, gilded cupids and
classic figures were known of old in
every corner of Europe as well as
America.
Five Teams Draw Bandwagon.
In the old days, the bandwagon was
drawn by 20 matched teams of horses.
This morning five teams drew the
coach through the city's streets, down
New York to New Jersey avenue,
thence to Constitution avenue, then
around the District Building and
back by way Of Pennsylvania avenue.
At least 600 performers were in the
parade, which required about Is min
utes to pass given point. The Off
cial Traffic Bureau observers counted
80 elephants, IL camels, 287 menag-
erie animals, bands, "a clowns, 81
horseback riders and 35 vans. There
were only II foot marcherS, the police
reported.
In advance of the parade, which
brought many spectators out as early
as o'clock, went hawkers of bright
balloons, peanuts, circus candy,
flying canary BIRDS" tin-types and
every conceivable toy.
A large juvenile contingent was on
hand despite the opening of the open
hand despite the opening of the pub
lie schools. There were babier in
arms. in baby carriages, perambu-
latorS and rumble seats. Their elder
brothers and sisters were there, too,
with or without paternal consent.
The circus brought at least nine
carloads of extra equipment to make
the parade possible. One feature of
the show which the crowd missed,
however, was Clyde Beatty, famous
animal trainer and his two score
lions and tigers.
Beatty, scheduled to make his first
appearance this afternoon in three
weeks was injured in Michigan dur
ing a performance there. A lion,
rushing Beatty, was met by the chair
with which the trainer protects him.
self.
The force of the rush threw the
chair against Beatty's body. In the
other hand he held a pistol loaded
with blanks. The gun exploded,
shooting a charge of wadding into
Beatty's leg. Although still slightly
crippled, he expected to repeat his
act during the Washington stand.
Another feature of the parade was
an old chime wagon dating from the
gay 90s, drawn by four pair of Shet-
land ponies. Still another was the
lady snake charmer in her glass
MO llad nnach full of rnntilas and rnrn-