Beauty Pageant

Last week the citizens of Atlantic City, N. J., gathered along the ocean to witness an almost incredible spectacle. Their mayor, one Anthony M. Ruffu Jr., was being joggled along, uncomfortably enthroned upon a curious vehicle. Sitting beside him, dressed up as Father Neptune, a Broadway comedian named Eddie Dowling bowed and grimaced and made remarks which were inaudible. Behind this incongruous pair, an interminable succession of similar vans, decorated in fantastic style to resemble skyscrapers, vegetable gardens, bird cages, beaches, groves or prairie lands, conveyed 74 young women along the corduroy boardwalk. Each of the young women was in some suitable disguise which was really almost no disguise at all. On foot, interspersed between the dangerously gaudy floats, more than 1,000 bandsmen walked, each making a noise on flute or horn or big bass drum. The citizens of Atlantic City stared and stared. The waves of the ocean thundered along a smooth beach and a wind made the flags snap. This was the Annual Atlantic City Beauty Pageant.

Miss America 1926. Among the pseudonymphs who arrived on the first day of the pageant was Miss America 1926. She, Miss Norma Descynge Smallwood, was expected to lead the beauty parade after the custom for veteran victors. A demure and modest girl last summer, she had now become haughty and proud. She had been making approximately $1,200 weekly since her victory a year ago. Only for a like sum, she in- formed the judges, would she spend a week of her time leading the present crop. The judges demurred, selected Princess America I, an Indian girl called Alice Garry, to lead the parade. Norma D. Smallwood packed her trunks and went away.

Miss America 1927. After days of posturing and posing in ball rooms or in bathing suits, prizes we're awarded. Miss Illinois, a middle-sized lightweight blonde whose proper name is Lois Eleanor Delander, was judged on points to be the prize-winning Miss America 1927. Another prize-winner was Miss Frieda Louise ("New York") Mierse, 15 years old, who was judged to possess the beauty most suitable to an evening dress. Run-ner-up to "Miss America" was Miss Mozelle ("Dallas") Ransome, a small-sized bantamweight brunette. After winning the blue ribbon, Miss America, a 16-year-old schoolgirl, was asked what she would now do with herself. She said: "I am happy. ... I do not want to go in the movies. ... I want to draw, make a name for myself. . . ."

Baby Parade. Before the beauty parade came the baby parade. Small-appearing brats were wheeled along the boardwalk to the cheers of parents and the catcalls of a few. One baby became sick due to the swaying of the float upon which it was being wafted along. Several babies broke into tears as they heard the fearful pandemonium caused by 15 bands all playing at the same time. The dirigible Los Angeles flew over the babies, severely frightening several and terrifying two. After the event prizes were awarded to the babies who appeared most healthy.