The Washington times., 1912-05-11
CAPITAL PLANNING
f. HIGH TRIBUTE TO
BELOVED MOTHERS
Sons and Daughters Will
Wear White Carnation
Tomorrow.

Not in obedience to man-made law,
but springing from the natural prompt
ings of the hearts of children, whether
six or sixty years old, the memory
of mothers will be the main object Of
devotion tomorrow, individuals, So
cieties, and churches inclining toward
this spontaneous observance. The
white carnation is the outward badge
| OF observance. other white flowers
are frequently worn, but the white car
nation is in special favor, because 1t
was chosen by Miss Anne Jarvis, Of
Philadelphia, who is credited with hav-
ing first proposed, only four years ago,
the annual observance of the second
Sunday in May as Mothers Day.
Practically every church in WASH
ington has indicated, either in its an
nouncement or the word OF the pastor,
that Mothers Day will be observed.
Many civic organizations have prepared
also for observance.
An attempt was made in 1908, after
the first Mothers Day had been OBJ
served, to give. legal color to the fete.
Former Senator Z. j. Burkett of Me-
braska, made a speech in the Senate
in favor of making a legal holiday
CT Mothers Day. The Senate did not
take kindly to the proposition. In
mediately. there arose champions of
fathers, of mothers-in-law and
others. These Senators admitted the
valid claim of mothers to the best
sentiments of men, but asserted that
every man revered the memory Of his
mother without the need of an out
ward celebration. They asserted also
,docosely, that the celebration ought 20
be passed around, because others
than mothers must bear burdens so
the legalization of Mothers Day fail
Cd and in its stead has come an OBJ
servance much more general than
frequently occurs when the Senate
does pass a law.
The white carnat!on rises at this
commercial dignity of orchids. one
can buy carnations of color for rs
cents or 81 a dozen today, but white
ones cost from 10 cents to IS cents
prices ranging from sf.56 to IS $50. "'
Ordinarily on the Saturday night
preceding Mothers Day white carna-
tions are not to be had at any price
scarce and high of price.
Many persons. preferrinng to cele-
brate the day by filing their homes
country today and brought hack large
branches OF fruit bInssoms, dogwood,
and other white flowers.
Young women belonging to Shiloh
Baptist Church.. will go to homes 20
morrow whore there are sick persons or
young children. and will take care Of
'h"m while the mother of the house Is
given All opportunity to &C to church.
Special Mothers Day services win be
held at the church.
At tn The ,tt \, NJ . 9, \, JOINT services will
congressman NJ: A. Morrison. Of In In
tlinnh. will be the principal speakers.
Misses Harriet Harding. Martha Bald
White flowers for mothers memory:
bright flowers for mothers living" is
the motto of Mothers Day. while Of the
white carnaton Miss Jarvis has said,
Its whiteness stands for purity: its
fragrance, love; its wide field of growth,
ness--all a true mothers attributes"
Although its activities are confined
only to efforts toward publicity there
exists an association for the observance
of Mothers Day and In every city are
a few persons who see to 1t that a fore
word to the anniversary is passed
around. Everyone is urged to wear n
white carnation and all whose mothers
with them, II possible, in a notice sent
out about a week ago by Washing on
representatives of the organization
Commissioner Cuno H. Rudolph Is vice
president of the local society and is in
charge of the work done here.
. Letters have been received by Com
missioner Rudolph from the following
ministers pledgInR their efforts toward
a general observance OF the day: Rev.
J. r. Roth. st. Mary's Catholic Church;
the Rev. H. c. Early. Church OF the
Brethren; the Rev. John Van Schaick.
,ir. Church of Our Father: Mgr. w. 4.
Russell St. Patricks: the Rev. J. Hen
ming Nelms, Church of the Ascension;
the Rev. Donald Macleod, First Pres
hyterian: the Rev. E. Del. Mcdonnell
s. j., ST. Aloysius: the Rev. Herbert
scott Smith. ST. Margaret's: the Rev. c.
Ernest Smith, St. Thomas: the Rev,
samuel II. Greene, Calvary Baptist, and
A. D. Sutherland. director of religious
work at the Y. NJ. c. A.
Letters of commendation and support