Military Forces Unite in Defense Day Parade

From The Indianapolis News, Friday, September 12, 1924:  National Defense Test Day was successfully celebrated across the country and in Indianapolis today.   With flags fluttering and bands playing, 6,000 marchers, including members of the regular army and national guard, the army and navy reserves, veterans of the Rainbow Division, high school Junior R.O.T.C. cadets, members of fraternal orders, and the Parent-Teacher Association delegation, paraded through downtown streets this afternoon in one of the largest and most representative turnouts of potential defense strength ever assembled here.  Immediately following the parade, amid impressive ceremonies, the corner stone of the first unit of Indiana War Memorial was laid with appropriate speeches by Governor Emmett Branch and American Legion officials.  The day ended with hundreds of celebrants attending the Foreign War veterans’ picnic in Broad Ripple Park and an evening with a fireworks display. 

“Military Forces Unite in Defense Day Parade,” The Indianapolis News, 12 September 1924, p. 1:1

"Glimpses of City's Defense Day Demonstration," The Indianapolis Star, 13 September 1924, p. 8.2

Labor Gathers for Celebration at Fairground

From The Indianapolis Times, Monday, September 1, 1924:  10,000 labor union members gathered at the State Fairground today for a celebration of Labor Day.  For the first time the annual parade was done away with in favor of an outdoor affair to coincide with the opening of the State Fair.  Events began with a rousing speech by Albert Henning, assistant Secretary of Labor, who pointed out that ninety per cent of labor disputes have been resolved before reaching the strike stage and during the past three years the twelve-hour day has been practically abolished, and the seven-day work week is no more.  In the afternoon, many visitors watched the horse races that include the Labor Committee Stakes in honor of the day and took in the union label exhibit in the Manufacturers’ Building.  An evening firework display ended the day.

“Labor Gathers for Celebration at Fairground,” The Indianapolis Times, 1 September 1924, p. 1:3

Pitching Machine to Be Explained

From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, August 29, 1924:  Officials of Indianapolis amateur baseball organizations have been invited to attend a demonstration of a baseball pitching machine that will be given tonight.  Benjamin L. Blair, of Indianapolis, who invented the machine, has trained batters on the New York Yankees and New York Giants teams.    He says the machine will do more than a human arm can do in pitching “in” and “out” curves, “drops, and “fadeaways;” it primarily is a trainer of eyes.  A graduate of Purdue University’s school of engineering, Blair worked with compressed air machinery and conceived of the idea during the World War of using compressed air for a hand grenade projector, however the government wasn’t interested.  In 1922, he received a patent on a machine using compressed air that could eject baseballs at any rate of speed. 

“Pitching Machine to Be Explained,” The Indianapolis Star, 29 August 1924, p. 3:3