The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-04-05
PRIZE OF S1,OOO AWARDED TO THE
 AUTHOR OF CREED


 Washington, April 5-"The Ameri- ban's Creed' for which the city of baltimore offered a prize of $1,000 was made public here yesterday. Its kalection was the result of a "Na- |ional Citizens Creed Contest" approv- kd by President Wilson, Speaker |Jlarl1 and host of famous Americans. The author of the creed who wins he $1,000 prize Is William Tyler Page, of Friendship Heights, Mary and, near Washington. It reads:
 ''TTTE AMERICANS CREED-I believe in the United States of America as government of the peo- pie. by the people, for the people; whoSo just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; democ- Facy in a republic; a sovereign nation bf many sovereign states; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; estab' ished upon those principles of free hom, equality, justice, and humanity For which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
 'T therefore believe 1t is my duty to my country to love 1t; to support It's Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect it's flag; and to defend it against all enemies"
 The idea of laying emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizenship Tn a national creed originated with Henry s. Chapin and was first an- bounced by him in September, 1916.
 The idea was approved by the resident and endorsed by "The Vigi- antes,' a non-partisan organization of authors, artists and others for patri- btic purposes.
 Baltimore, as the birthplace of The Star Spangled Banner" offered, n March, 1917, through Mayor Pres ton, a S1,000 prize. Committees were appointed to pass upon the creeds ives of magazines; committee on manuscripts, consisting of Porter Emerson Brown, Henry s. Chapin, Hermann Hagedorn and representa- lives of magazines; a committe on award, comprising Matthew Page Andrews. Irwin S. Cobb, Hamlin Gar land, Ellen Glasgow, Julian Street, Booth Tarkington and Charles Han son Towne; and an advisory commit tee, consisting of Commissioner Clax- ton, of the federal bureau of educa- ton, and other national and state of- hcials.
 Several thousand proposed creeds were submitted and 50 of them were turned over by the manuscripts com mittee to the committee on award and the creed framed by MT. Page, in an envelope opened in New York city March 6, last, was selected as the best.
 The creed awarded the prize was selected because 1t was not only brief but remarkably comprehensive of the best in American ideals, history and traditions, as expressed by the found. CTS of the republic and it's greatest statesmen and writers. Its language is a composite of ideals taken from the constitution of the United States the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist, the federal oath of ale. glance, Washington's Farewell Ad. dress, Lincoln's Gettysburg Speech Webster's speech in the Senate Jan 26, 1880; Edward Everett Hale's "A Man Without a Country" 'The Stal Spangled Banner" the army and navy regulations, a War Department cir. cular on flag etiquette of April 14 last, and the great seal of the United States.
 William Tyler Page, the committee on awards announced, is a descendant of a President of the United States John Tyler and of signer of tn, American Declaration of Independ ence, Carter Braxton. He was bor1 in Frederick, Md. the birthplace O Francis Scott Key, and he attended the public schools of Baltimore.