Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-18
Washington Center of Drama
League of America Dis
cusses Elaborate Plan.
COMMISSIONER RUDOLPH
PRESIDES AT MEETING
Directors Meet Tomorrow to Consider
Big Educational Demonstration
Here Independence Day.

A huge historical pageant may be pro-
vided for Washington's Fourth of July
celebration this year. That such plan
is under contemplation became known to-
day, following a meeting in the Public
Center of the Drama League Of America.
at which the value of pageantry and folk
festivals to community life was discussed
Directors of the chapter, it is an
nounced,, at a meeting to be held tomor-
row will consider the advisability of ar
ranging for a mammoth educational
demonstration here on Independence day.
If the scheme is approved, it probably
will be undertaken jointly by the center
and the local safe and sane committee
of the Fourth.
One hundred and fifty persons attended
the meeting in the Public Library. which
is regarded as the beginning of move
ment on the part of the Drama League
interests of the National Capital to en-
courage the development of folk festivals.
Commissioner Rudolph, director in the
league and chairman Of the safe and
sane" committee, presided.
Those Who Spoke.
The speakers included Mrs. Glenna S.
Tinnin, director of the suffrage pageant
of March g. on 1.-The Folk Festival and
Its Relation to Community Life; Mrs.
]. P. S. Neigh of Neighborhood House.
on 1.-The Eleventh Annual Spring Festival
of Neighborhood House, and Miss Alys
T. Bentley. director of music in the
Washington public schools. on Rhythmic
Training in Relation to Physical Develop
ment and Music"
Miss Sarah f. Simons. head of the Eng
fish department in the Washington high
schools, who was to have spoken on the
subject of 1.-The Festival and the Schools,
was prevented from attending. but a pa
per which she had prepared was read
by Miss Lola May Evans.
Folk Festivals Endorsed.
That folk festivals are beneficial to
communities, and tend to make them
more nature-loving. more art-loving and
more brotherly-loving" was the declara-
ton of Mrs Tinnin. She said that enter
tanments of this character are inn
mensely practical in that they stimulate
good taste, courtesy and other estimable
qualities, and are a boon to moral de-
velopment. In addition, she pointed out,
they make possible the discovery Of crea-
tive genius in a community.
The history of the folk festivals given
by the Neighborhood House was recited
by Mrs. Neigh. This speaker also out
| lined the plans for the three-day celebra-
| ton commemorative the return of spring
| to be held next month. The program will
be made up of pageants, plays and pro-
cessions, and will be of AN educational
character as ii is proposed to show how
May day is observed in other lands
Dedication Pageant Suggested.
| Miss Evans suggested a pageant pre-
senting local school history, to be given
upon the occasion of the dedication OF
the new Central High School building.
The structure probably will not be COM
pleted for three years, she said, and am
pie time will be afforded in which to ar
range for the events. Suggestions for a
number of pageants which might be pre-
scented by pupils of the public schools
We're contained in the paper prepared by
Miss Simons and read by Miss Evans.
The practicability of folk festivals was
Endorsed by Miss Bentley. This form of
entertainment she declared, furnishes a
great opportunity for the development OF
music.
George F. Bowerman, librarian intro
duced Commissioner Rudolph. who in
calling the meeting to order said that
| izations of the character of the Drama
League devoted to the Improvement OF
social conditions in a community.
Both Edgar S. Martin. supervisor OF
Fairgrounds of the District of Columbia
| and DR. Rebecca Stoneroad, director OF
the physical training department of the
Washington public schools. who were tG
| have made addresses, Were unable to BE-
present at the meeting