Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-22

natal day of the Father Of His Country.
designated by Congress as national
holiday, was signalized by street parades
Of uniformed soldiery and patriotic So
cieties, the occasion now is observed in a
more quiet but none the less impressive
manner
Hundreds of present-day patriots who
will honor the memory of the first Presi-
dent today rejoiced this morning to see
clear skies and crisp weather. Despite
the promise of wet Washingtons BIRTH
day, the storm of the night blew out into
the Atlantic, leaving perfect holiday.
as far as weather was concerned, and the
wind which remained served only as an
incentive for the thousands of American
flags to wave stif1y.
Business Generally Suspended.
All government departments and all
banks as well as most of the business
houses of the National Capital today are
closed, and even those of the army of
workers who do not participate in some
form of patriotic exercises at least give
silent tribute to the memory Of the great
American who is First In the hearts Of
his countrymen.''
President Taft. accompanied by Sena-
tors Swanson and Martin, Representative
Carlin and officials OF the Alexandria Ma
sonic Lodge, left the city in a special
train at 2:1O o'clock this afternoon, and
for the second time since he has held
the post of chief executive the President
placed a laurel wreath on Washington's
tomb at Mount Vernon The Washing
ton National. Monument Society held its
annual meeting at the home Of Adds B.
Browne, at l o'clock this afternoon, and
the Association of Oldest Inhabitants.
which met at 10 o'clock this morning, did
not conclude it's patriotic exercises until
after the noon hour.
In the United States Senate.
In the United States Senate the observ-
ance of the day included the reading by
Senator John w. Kern Of Indiana of
washington's farewell address. The Dis
trict Of Columbia Society, Sons Of the
Revolution, DR.. H. i. F.. johnson. the
president, presiding, met at the New Will
lard at q O'Clock this afternoon, and
heard an address on Patriotism in Pol
itics," by Representative N. E. Kendall
of Iowa. The District of Columbia So
ciety, Sons of the American Revolution,
met at Rauscher's at noon. DR.. Hannis
Taylor lectured on George Washington
and the American Constitution at the
Catholic University OF America.
Banquets This Evening.
Several organizations have chosen this
evening as the date for celebrations and
banquets. Among these are the South
ern Society,", which gives a dinner at
Rauscher's; the Order of Washington.
which holds a ladies' night at the Cairo.
and the Central Labor Union, which. will
hold a banquet at the Ebbitt House.
The Boys Brigade will give an entertain
ment at the y. NJ. c. A. from Z o'clock
until > this evening.
The Public Library is open for the
usual hours throughout today-that is.
circulation, reference and industrial de-
partments until pm, and children
department until pm. The law library
and the several divisions composing the
Sunday and holiday service Of the Library
OF 90. gress were opened at o'clock this
afternoon, to remain open until In pm,
the library building being open for the
same hours to visitors.
nIcrIIcSEc pATRInTS, nIrTv