The Washington herald., 1918-06-15
RIVERDALE
HONORS FLAG
IN NDAY'S FETE
Laying Of Cornerstone for
School Feature Of
Celebrations.

Riverdale did honor to the nag
and laid the corner stone Of its new
schoolhouse yesterday in an all-day
celebration.
Patriotism and local pride blended
and the whole town turned out to
demonstrate its enthusiasm.
The pretty, shady stpets of Riv-
erdale were filed with gay fancy
costumes of red, white and blue,
and the unifroms Of the Riverdale
Cadets, Boy Scouts and Red Cross
workers lent further color to the
scene.
Maryland Governor Present.
At the ceremony of the laying of
the cornerstone many prominent
Marylanders were present. includ-
ing the Governor of the State,
Hon. Emerson C. Harrington.
The Chamber OF Commerce and
Agriculture Of Prince George Coun-
ty. the members OF local lodges, and
the fire department took part in a
parade. in which all the school
children marched.
Refreshments were served to
various parties several times during
the day. and the whole days festivi-
ties wound up with q dance and a
reception last night at the River
dale AIall
The schoolhouse symbolizes the
type OF government for which we
are now struggling" declared DR..
Philander P. Claxton, Commissioner
of Education. at the laying of the
RiVerdale School corner stone yes
terday afternoon
There can be no freedom where
the masses have not intelligence,
and minds trained to attain the pow
er of self-guidance- There can be
no equality where education is not
made q general thing"
The orator of the all-day celebra-
ton was the Governor OF Maryland,
Emerson C. Harrington
TT seems to me extremely appro-
pirate" he remarked, that the lay
ing of this corner stone for your
public school building should be
done on the day set aside as Flag
Day for our State and nation. SO
that the patriotic fervor OF our peo-
pie may be more fittingly shown on
an occasion when our country Is ir-
revocably committed to war until
victory shall crown our arms and
when our people are alive to the i'm
portance OF advancing and main
tanning even amidst this war q high
standard Of purpose and efficiency in
our public schools"
DIR. A. F. Woods. president Of the
Maryland State College OF Agricul-
ture. referred in his speech to the
recent grant by Congress to his school
OF an appropriation under which the
college would train teachers in agrtS
culture. trades. industries and home
economics for the schools OF Mary
land.
The college he said, trains the
young people for leaders in agricul-
ture, trades and industries. II en-
ables the student to bring to bear on
these great fields OF experience the
best that the world has to offer from
experience and experiments.
Our great leaders call upon US to
prepare for the difficult problems
ahead of US by study and training.
Every boy and every girl should stay
in school and study the things that
will best help them to serve efficiently.
Fill up the ranks OF those who have
been called from college. Give the
largest service possible"
A pleasing feature Of the day was
bell covered with red. white and blue
tissue paper drawn in a tiny cart by
a small Shetland pony. The bell had
streamers attached to the top and a
class of youngsters dressed in white
caught hold Of the streamers and
danced around the bell. singing a
pretty song. Liberty Bell"
A poem composed by Miss Gather
inc Waters, of Riverdale, was recited
by Matthew Halloran.
A parade was the first thing on
the program Brice Bowie was grand
marshal.
Clarence J. Owens acted as mas
ter Of ceremonies and introduced the
speakers.
Corner Stone Laid.
The ceremonial Of the laying Of the
corner stone was conducted by Mt.
Herman Lodge. A. F. and A NJ,
William A. Shepherd, worshipful
grand master.
Hon George P. McCeney, president
OF the Board of Education Of Prince
George County. spoke briefly. Others
who spoke were H. A. Hegarty,
past master Riverdale Grange, and
DIR. A. F. Woods, president of Mary
land State College of Agriculture.
Last night in the Riverdale Hall