Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-13
WISH DAY OBSERVED
Want October IL Made a Ma.
tionaI Holiday.
|EULOGIES OF DlSC0vERER
Celebration Last Night Under the
Auspices Of the Knights
of Columbus.

October IL, anniversary OF the discovery
of America by Columbus is certain to
be commemorated as a holiday in the
| District Of Columbia, the territories and
possessions OF the United States. The
only remaining detail is for Congress to
pass and for the President to sign the
law that makes it so.
| 1t was all fixed last night at the Dis
| covery day celebration under the auspices
| of the knights OF Columbus, held in the
| hail of the order. COS E street. The
| Knights Of Columbus are for it; Cardinal
Gibbons. guest OF honor Of the evening,
is for 1t: Commissioner Rudolph is for it
and almost promised that If his colleagues
| were not for 1t he would get them into
line. That seemed about to settle 1t,
except for the voting in Congress.
The ball was set a-rolling by Charles
W. Darr, grand knight, Keane Council.
Z. of c., chairman Of the celebration.
who told of the desires and efforts of
the order in the direction Of national OBJ
servance Of Discovery day. stated that
| two-thirds Of the states Of the Union had
already the holiday on their statute books
and invited Commissioner Rudolph to put
his shoulder to the wheel In riding bill
through Congress.
Cardinal Gibbons then said it ought to
be done. and that anything the Knights
of Columbus wanted done was the right
thing to be done. He also indicated to
Commissioner Rudolph his plain duty
under the circumstances.
The futility Of opposition was evident
to the Commissioner. who admitted 1t
when he arose to speak. Mr.. Rudolph
jumped right up on the band wagon and
waved the banner for the cause. He had
no doubt his colleagues on the board Of
Commissioners would be Of the same
frame of mind. ought to be II they were
not, and promised to attend to their con-
version II necessary.
Columbus Eulogized.
Christopher Columbus was exalted in
eulogies pronounced by every speaker.
Cardinal Gibbons. Chairman Darr and
Mr.. Rudolph all extolled his character
and Accomplishments. and Rev. ]. r.
Meagher. prior Of st. Dominic's Church.
and Edward p Harrington, state deputy
and highest officer in this Jurisdiction OF
the knights Of Columbus. extended their
remarks into elaborate biographies OF the
great navigator.
The order received special cheer from
the cardinal. who spoke Of it as the Cath
Ollie society greatest within the memory
OF man in its contribution to the support
Of the church and the moral uplift of hui
mainly. He admitted his great obligation
to the knights Of Columbus for it's work
for Catholic University, in which he is In
tense.y interested.
The contribution Of the order Of $500OOO
for the institution. Of which 100000 Is
already in hand. he referred to as the
largest amount ever contributed by any
Catholic society to the cause Of religion
and education The organization. he said.
is a signal benefactor to country, church
and humanity. He expressed desire for
increase In its numbers and efficiency,
day by day and year by year.
Cardinal Gibbons did not speak long,
excusing himself on the plea that he had
had two strenuous weeks Of public duty.
almost too much for a man nearly an
octoRenarfan. Cardinal Gibbons, despite
the strain, spoke clearly and strong. and
seemed in good health.
Chairman Darr, opening the exercises
of the evenings in his Introductory ad-
dress referred to the occasion as a cele-
bration Of Discovery day and in honor
of Cardinal Gibbons concentrating the
double anniversary of fifty years In the
priesthood and twenty-five years In the
college Of cardinals. The financial and
moral support of the order was promised
by Mr.. Darr to the cardinal in his efforts
to make the Catholic University one OF
the greatest Catholic educational institu-
tons in the world.