Evening star., 1949-01-21
Spectators Thrilled
ByParade Rep|ete
With Everything
By ChorIes J, Yorbrouoh

about everything, left Harry
Truman with a new 1O-gallor
hat, a cold nose and a sunny
disposition.
1t left 1854 participants and ar
estimated 100000 or more specta.
tors with aching feet, chills at dusk
and share of Mr.. Truman's grin.
ming appreciation He was, he said
"delighted"-and he was one who
stood up.
The procession. lasting 3la hours
that rolled down humanity -linet
Pennsylvania avenue was the big
gest thing modern Washington ha
ever seen. Even the weather smiled
which bore out another Truman
prediction of 10 days ago ane
prompted one spectator to remark
that God must have been a Demo
crat today
Chilly for ThurmOnd.
There was chill in the air during
the forenoon and near the parade's
close at dusk. but it was nothing
compared to the chill given South
Carolina's Gov. J. Strom Thurmond
when his car rolled past the review
ing stand.
With one other exception, Mr.
Truman smiled broadly and lifted
his hat to governors cars. Gov
Thurmond got liberal portion OF
cold, stony silence.
The other exception was Georgia s
Gov. Herman Talmadge, but it ap.
peared unintentional on Mr.. Tru.
mans part. His back was turned as
he congratulated his naval aide or
the crack marching of the Naval
Academy when Gov. Talmadge's cal
went by.
Stands as Parade Passes. II
The Chief Executive, with Vice
President Barkley on his left, stood
up during the parade, leaning
against support built for the pur-
pose. He also had an electric heater
at his feet, sandwich and two
cups of hot chocolate.
From statistical standpoint, tht
parade had 1888 uniformed per.
sons, 268 civilians, 1913 vehicles, 14l
horses, S. floats and five mules
among other things.
1t also had one of the country s
last operating steam calliopes, which
the President recognized by saying
I'm glad to see they kept theil
steam up"
The crowd had long since chased
the squirrels out of Lafayette Parl
by the time the parade nosed around
the corner at Fifteenth street ano
headed toward the Presidents re-
viewing stand. It started late and
ended even further behind schedule
Mrs. Truman Leaves Early.
Although Mr.. Truman remained
Mrs. Truman, Margaret and Mrs
Max Truitt, Vice Presiednt Bark
ley's daughter, left early Most of
the other spectators in the presi-
Dental stand stayed to the end.
The diplomatic section, which
gave new dignity to the lowly hot
dog, began stirring uneasily, and
some left long before the parade
end.
For music. eye-catching appeal
and excellence of the floats, the
parade was a champion. The chilly
weather apparently kept the crowds
quiet, even to the point of reserve
The high points of applause came
with the appearance of the Presi-
dent and Vice President, and the un-
scheduled appearances of Gen
Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gen. JON
athan wainwright, Admiral Chester
w. Nimitz and Admiral William
Halsey.
The snappy swinging precision OF
the Military Academy cadets put
the crowd in the right parade mood
After the cadets, there was enough
martial music and snap to hold the
interest.
Best Smile for Missouri.
The President turned on his best
smile for Gov. Forrest Smith Of
Missouri and the Missouri delegation
Maryland's historical float, noting
the tercentenary of the Religious
federation Act, drew ripping ap-
plause as did Virginia's proud boast,
Mother of States and Statesmen"
The Virginia delegation was the
first to give with Dixie" as its band
went by the reviewing Standard
the President kept time by waeglng
his head from side to side.
The first band wild About
Harry" was North Carolina's.
Ohio's float featured the birth
place of aviation, Oklahoma's costly
one was a dazzler of State pride, but
CALIFORNIA; rich gold gilt one was
the essence OF reserved pride.
Florida had one of the most
spectacular, with pretty girls tossing
oranges to the crowd along the
route. Leaping tarpon on the front
were held by ribbons.
Behind the Florida float rode
Miami and Miami Beach motorcycle
policemen, one of whom got fast
tire change job just before parade
time by appealing to the Metropo-
Titan Police garage.
Trick Dog Performs.
Mr.. Truman's en-gallon hat came
from a dashing member of the Los
Angeles Mounted Posse who rode ur
to the reviewing stand on a hand
some horse with silver mounted
saddle. The Californians also hac
a trick Dalmatian dag. which per-
formed for the President and drew
warm applause.
The Ashland High School Band II
Kentuckys delegation gave MI
Barley MY Old Kentucky Home,
and the State float said Truman
and Barkley Ran Like Citation"
Passengers aboard West Virginia
"Whistle Stop Express" sang I'm
Just Wild About Harry as the six
car float rolled by.
The Nevada float cleaned IL
purple and silver foil. The jaunt,