Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-15
President Wilson Attends
Flag Day Exercises, State,
War and Navy Building.
MUSIC AND ADDRESSES
FEATURE THE PROGRAM
Celebration in Progress Late This
MISUNDERSTANDING Bryan and
Daniels Participants.

One wear ago a male chorus organized
bv George II. Wilson of the construction
bureau of the Navy Department took
station in the corridor before Secretary
Daniels office and brought sharply to
the attention of the officials the nature
of the day by the singing of patriotic
airs intended to inspire devotion to the
national flag. There were only ten men
in the chorus. but effectively did they
intone this patriotic music that the hum
dreds of employees IN the great State.
War and Navy Department building
swarmed into the halls and listened de-
lightedly to the strains.
Secretary Bryan of the State Depart
ment emerging from the office of the
Secretary of the Navy, was so impressed
by the ceremony that he added his trib-
ute voluntarily in a few we'll chosen re-
marks. More important. he urged that
the idea of an annual celebration be de-
veloped and perpetuated and he promised
to secure the participation of the Pres
ident of the United States on the next
occasion.
Promise Is Redeemed.
That promise was redeemed this after
noon. when not only President Wilson,
but the Secretary of State and the Sec
rotary of the Navy we're the central
figures in the Flag day celebration of the
State, War and Navy departments. The
scene was the eastern portico of the
building. the main entrance of the Navy
Department wing. A platform was pro-
vded for the speakers and number of
chairs placed for the accommodation Of
officials, while ample space was given
for the great public in Executive avenue.
separating the Navy Department from
the Presidents office building. In the
center of the space tall flagstaff rose
from a temporary platform, and one
side was stationed the full Marine Band,
the members clad in their bright uni
forms and under the leadership of Lieut..
Santelmann.
The granite facade of the big office
building was profusely decorated with
bunting. Near the top We're placed
three large American flags. just be-
low was the Presidents blue flag, flank
ed by the crimson emblem of the Sec
rotary of War, and the blue starred
banner of the Secretary of the Navy.
Festoons of signal flags and ships pen
the pediment of the building to the
ground.
In place of the little knot of singers
who rendered the vocal music last year
sixty voices directed by Mr.. Wilson.
Program OF Exercises.
The ceremonies began with the rendi-
ton of Hail to the Chief" by the
Marine Band. The national flag was
unfurled from the central staff to the
music of The Star Spangled Banner"
as rendered by the Marine Band and
the male chorus. That was followed
by My Country tbs of Thee" also by
the band and chorus. An address by
the President was next on the program.
Inc army and navy. regarding them
selves as peculiarly and naturally the
proper guardians of the flag, the element
of milItarism was marked in the celebra-
ton. and nowhere more effectively and
picturesque than by the signals follow
ing the Presidents address. by sixteen
uniformed buglers from the army post
at Fort Myer
Secretary Bryan will follow with an
Grafton, and when the band has played
the famous sextet from Lucia and
Dixie Secretary Daniels will make a
short address.
The ceremonies will conclude with the
music of The Red. White and Blue by
the band and chorus, and the salute to
the .colors by the Bugle Corps
The committee of arrangements con-
sists of Pickens Neagle, George H. Will
son and n. B. Shaefer of the Nevy De-
partment; John c. Schofield, War De-
partment and H. r. Barnes. State De-
partment.
Members of the Chorus.
The employees of the three departments
forming the chorus are as follows:
Messrs. Bates, Postel. Dean, Dunn, Cap
devielle, Pallansch. Schaefer. Herman,
Searles, Minifie, Jones. ]. L.; Collins.
Burr, Pollock, Harris. Sechrist. Eaton.
Mesny, Walters Waggoner, Hall, Muir
ray, Tungate, Booth. Skinner. Zeigler.
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