Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-30
Fun-Loyers Are Set
1oPIay Odd Paris
In Procession
By Herman F. Sehoden

'StHh8u - S@u80SU
Bands were tuning up. drill
teams sharpening up, and float
builders putting on the final
ticks today for the high spot OF
the American Legion convention
--tomorrow's gigantic parade.
p. T. Barnum at his most
imaginative could not have
dreamed UP the spectacle the
veterans will unfold along the
parade-happy vistas of Pennsyl-
vania and Constitution avenues.
From 2 pm. until the wee
morning hours Of Wednesday,
they'll be rolling along the ave-
nues-maybe, IL hours, maybe
longer. Snappy majorettes at
the front of brisk-marching
units, the heavy weapons of wars
the veterans remember so well,
beauty queens and bizarre come
dams, chugging. changing loco
motives and rafting box cars,
dazzling floats and handsome
horses-each section trying to
Guido the other.
$4,000 to Be in Line.
In all, perhaps $4,000 persons
will get into the procession as it
winds from Fourth street along
Pennsylvania avenue to Fifteenth
street, thence over to Constitu-
ton avenue and finally to Seven
teenth street.
The number of spectators may
be as awesome as the parade it
self. For with Government en-
ployes being freed at pm, the
streets may be damned in record
number. At some period or other
Of the marathon march, half a
million people are expected to
take long look.
It may not be as long-winded
as the 18-hour New York parade
OF 1887, but there is no proof
that it won't be. either.
No Bans on Entering.
In fact. one of the bemusing
aspects of this parade is that
nobody is certain just what will
take place. There isn't any off,
cial registration Of parade units,
and there are no restrictions
against anybody entering-so
long as he has on a Legion cap
and conducts himself in a some
what military manner.
We've never seen anything
like it." said veteran parade CO.
chairmen Edward r. Carr and
John H. w. Roper. Mr.. Carr
was grand factotum of the Eisen-
hover Inauguration parade. He
had some conception of what the
cavalcade would be. In fact, he
had the pleasure Of selecting the
units.
"This parade?" he said.
There's no way of telling who will
be in it, or when they will decide
to enter. Some units are coming
by bus for the parade alone. will
60 direct to the formation area,
march in the parade, then climb
back on the bus and go home"
Plenty for All to See,
But Messrs. Carr and Roper
agree there1l be plenty for all to
see-the loudest, happiest most
colorful conglomeration since
General Clusters white horse
pranced along the avenue many
years ago.
The grand climax will come in
the last two blocks-"The Cor
ridor of Victories" Here the
heroes of three wars will march
under Is banners emblazoning
the names of famous battles.
During the night hours. it will be
an arcade of illumination.
On one side will be the re-
viewing stands, on the other
seats for about 1900 spectators.
At Seventeenth, the units pro-
coed to the dispersal area.
Forewarned by incidents of the
past, Legion officials are taking
strong measures against dis
tasteful parade elements. Parade
orders ban intoxicants, water
pistols and shocking devices,
female impersonators, fire.
crackers, women riding in the
Forty and Eight box cars, or
commercial advertising.
Marshals Along Route.
Parade marshals along the
route will enforce these orders.
with the police giving a hand
If needed. Spectators will be
permitted to cross Pennsylvania
avenue during breaks in the pa
rade at Seventh, Ninth, Twelfth
and Fourteenth streets.
Leading off the procession will
be Maj. Gen. John H. Stokes, jr.,
commanding general of the Mill
tary District of Washington, pa
rade grand marshal, and Lewis
K. Cough. past national Amer
lean Legion commander, as hon.
orary grand marshal.
Then will come representatives
Of all the armed forces which
are carrying on today with the
Legionnaires problems of yes
terday. There will be detach-
ments of men and women from
all services, and mechanical
equipment. and the National
Guard.
Miss Washington to Ride.
Then will come the second di-
vision-new champions among
the Legion'S band. rifle teams.