Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-05
TURMOIL VISITORS
AT LIBERTY SHRINE
Many orleve When Indepen-
dsnce Hall Is Used by Signers'
Descendants Only
DUANE HEADS ASSOCIATION

Pilgrims 10 Independence Han after
3 O'Clock yesterday found the doors
mysteriously closed an hour early 70 all
bot descendants OF Declaration OF In
dependence signers, who held their an
nual gathering in the hall made famous
by their forefathers.
'swhat's the idea?" demanded one
would be visitor. ''1 have come from
out Of town to see the Hall, Why
can't I get inf'
tieptly responded a custodian; -four
o'clock every other day Of the year, in
cluding Sundays and holidays"
"Oh, how terrible" walled a young
woman who had arrived In time to hear
the ultimatum.
"Lady, lady. the men here need a
vacation on holiday" reprovcd an
other hall employe from a half-opened
door.
s'I don't mind your having a vaca-
tion," the young woman retorted, "nnd
i have been here before, but I wanted
NV aunt to see the Liberty Bell.
''You'n have to bring her some other
dax." WINS the word Of the doorkeeper,
pleasantly delivered, but also firmly.
AT this point the door was opened
m admit two women and a man. Then
Il was almost shut again.
'Descenifsnts'' Are let In
'rHey, you let somebody in" called
out q young man who had just been
refused admission, and returning to the
stone steps he added why, cant
10 in Il you let some Of them in?"
s-Those are descendants, was the
answer, mysterious enough to the un-
initiated, but plain enough to a re-
uorter who was standing close by await
ing the arrival OF some officers Of the
Descendants of the Signers of the
Declaration of Independence, to pro.
nounce the "Open Sesame" required
to satisfy the keeper Of the Keys.
1--WE want to go in,' was uttered
by four young girls at that moment.
"Come tomorrow, girls" was thu
reply, which elected chorus of ''Oh's,
and the statement, Il thought 70,
were open until FIVE"
"Have a heart" said employe Mum
bsr 2; flour o'clock every day Of TIN
year, except today, and three today
Gates closedi'
The arrival Of more descendants, al
wearing their Identification badges, an,
among them the first and second vic
presidents Of the association, opened tn
door to the reporter as well. The societ
then had it's annual gathering in tn
hall made famous by Its ancestors.
Officers Are Chosen
At the business meeting, Miss Henri
ette Charming Ellery, Newport, R. ].
presented the society with the Bible
pocketbook and eyeglasses Of Williar
Ellery. Miss Ellery, who is eighty
seven, Is the only living granddaughte
Of a signer.
Officers were chosen as follows
President, Russell Duane; frst vic
president, Charles Thornton Adam'
New York second vice president, Ca
Masee Kneass: third vice presiden
Mrs. Charles Custis Harrison, both
Philadelphia; chaplain, DR.. Georf
washington Dame, Baltimore; treas
urer, John s. Braxton, and secretar
and registrar, John Calvert, both I
The Congress Of the Descendan
closed last evening with a dinner G
" the roof garden of the Bellevue
Stratford. Mr.. Adams, who had pre-
sided all day due to the absence on az
count of illness Of Mr.. Duane, W,
toastmaster. he proposed first the Gu.
tomary annual toast George Washing
ton"
DIR. Dame responded to the ne,
toast 1.-THE Signers." Response
'.The President of the United States
was made by Blair Leo, Of Marylan
and Mr.. Calvert responded to the toa
1.-THE Ladies.