Evening star., 1921-06-04
$4,000 CHILDREN PAY TRIBUTE
TO THE PRESIDENT WITH SONG
Most Wonderfully He: Exclaims, a
Mountains Of Flowers Are Heaped
at His Feet.

The voice Of Washington's childhood
swelled into a mighty chorus of song
on the Ellipse yesterday afternoon.
which brought from President Har-
ding, guest of honor. words praisins
II as the most wonderful and beautiful
music of his life.
They sang spontaneously and en-
thusiastially. as only children can
those $4,000 school children assembled
in the form of a breathing wheel
and. as their voices rose ana feii IN
symphonic waves. faces and heaos
were turned to the hub OF the wheel
with sincerity and honest eEdeavor
clearly outlined on the features.
The President. with Mrs. Harding
by his side. descended from his seat
and walked about lower platform
aiding in the arrangement OF myriaos
of blossoms which were brought from
every classroom in the District schooi
system as token of love and esteem
of the children of Washington.
When the President was walking
about with Mrs. Harding. speaking
for her ears alone. he was overheard
to. say to her: Florence, this is won
derful. Wonderful"
laundering Ovation.
From o'clock the children started
assembling at the Ellipse. One hour
later the presidential party made
tour of the outer circle and entered
the wheel from the northern;nost
spoke. While he walked down the aisle
hat, flags and cheers in a chaotic jumbie
filled the air. From all sections OF the
wheel a demonstration of typlcal
American childhood greeted the Pres
ident.
He ascended the platform. He turned
Id af he T.
form on which stood Robert Lawrence
organizing director of Music week
He gave one glance at the multitude
of children, and the next thing that
spectators saw was the hSure OF the
President climbing the steps of the
high platform. His arrival there %as wa
the signal for another ovation. And
while he was still aloft Mrs. Harding
arrived by his side.
Following the first selection of "Tht
Star Spangled Banner" group Of
FIVE girls. each from one of the higf
schools. walked up the south spok'
with a huge floral Tyre. 1t was placed
on the lower platform directly II
front of the President. and the Misses
Adaline Jeffrey Of Eastern High
Elizabeth Hutchison OF Technical
Margery Carruthers of Central. Mar
guerite German of Western and Doro
thy Lawten of Business. who carried
the moral tribute, sSpdi dleO " Tan
places on each side.
DR.. Simon's Address.
DR.. Abraham Simon. president of th'
board of education. delivered the ad
dress of presentation to the President
He said, in part:
we are bringing Music week to {
dramatic close Its success has ex
ceeded the widest dreams of its lead
er Mr.. Robert Lawrence. and of thu
school authorities. We are convinced
that our people are hungry for goot
music. We are convinced that oui
musical taste can be refined and chas.
tened. We are convinced that Amer.
lea can express her soul through the
civic and community power of elevat-
ing song. We are beginning to see
the time when our city snail be knowr
not only as Washington the beauti-
full. but also Washington the musical
Is it too early or too daring to see
in Imagination palatial temple oi
music linking in chains OF liquid beau
ty both Capitol and White House, anc
sending its greetings in measured
cadence to the pyramidal tongue o
the Washington Monument a tcmpl
where all the arts shall find home
and an opportunity of expressing ou
democratic and aspiring ideals?
Il am commissioned by these golden
throated children to bring. by mean
of these songs and flowers. thei
tribute of love to you and Mrs. Hard
ing, and their loyalty to the natio
of which you are the honored Presi
dent. and to voice the hope that. sit
ting as you now do at the hub of thi
| throbbing wheel of patriotic heart:
you may watch its revolutions. direc
and inspire its rhythmic movemen
for many years to come amid tn
smiles of Americas children. Amer
\
| of flowers"
President Replies.
President Harding replied. saying:
Il have heard music in many ant
varied forms. 1 have heard the crool
of the mother to her child in tn,
cradle. 1 have heard great choruse
in opera and the song of the wind a
it rushes through the great pines o
the forests. But ! have never befor'
heard such sparkling music as thi
that the sparkling school youth o
the capital have given
THE Battle Hymn of the Republic
was sung with such enthusiasm tha
requests for an encore were made. bu
the limited time prevented a repetition
Other songs on the program includet
Alma Mater" by students of Howard
University: Washington" 20 Colum
bia, the Gem of the Ocean" ant
1t was during the singing of thes,
songs that the floral offerings from tn,
classrooms were brought up to tn,
platform by children from the variou.
schools. And the flowers came in sucf
masses that the President left hi.
platform to aid in placing them abou
the stand.
Following the exercises the Tyre wa:
brought to the White House, wher,
Mrs Harding personally thanked thos,
who bore the tribute. The Tyre will
be placed on display at the executiy,