The Washington herald., 1921-06-04
Vast Sea of Singing Chill
dren Honors Presi-
dent on Ellipse.
FLORAL LYRE GIVEN
TO NATIONS CHIEF
Greatest Pageant in An
mails of District Closes
Music Week.

lnousdnos OF ndEss Oorhe dAoit IN
the hands Of thousands Of children.
waved vigorously in the breeze and
buring sun as President and Mrs
Harding advanced toward the
human wheel formed on the eaiipse.
yesterday afternoon by the school
children OF the District 70 pay
tribute to the President in song as
glorious climax OF music week.
shortly after o'clock a White
house car appeared, containing
President and Mrs Harding This
moved slowly aruond the ellipse.
Huge crowds encfrcling IL shouted
a continual approval After COM
pleting the circle, the party strapped
from the motor-car AT the north en-
trance and went quickly 10 rhe plat
form erected TO form the hub Of that
wheel OF humanity.
stand On Platform
President and Mrs. Harding as
cended the smaller and higher plat
form used by Director Lawrence.
from which Mrs. Harding briskly
waved greetings to the left. the
right and in front This was fol-
lowed more slowly with a waving Of
his hat by President Harding
Then they descended 10 the stage
prepared for them and members Of
the cabinet. members OF the BOARD
lT,f
committee. Director Lawrence
twirled the white nag for silence.
The signal was given: the bands be-
gan to play; the mammoth audiences
burst forth in the glorious harmony
Of the Star Spangled Banner.
Floral Lyre Presented
Following this was the presenta-
tion to President Harding of a lvrs
six feet hiSh. composed Of cornfow-
ers and yellow COSMOS Dr. Abran
Simon. president of the board II
education. made the presentation
speech Presidnt Harding replied
briefly expressing his appreciation
Of the work done by the promoters
OF muse week" He declared that
he had mover heard such muse -
from the sparkling voices Of the
children OF the capital and city"
Columbia, the Gem octhe Ocean,
was the next song peared forth
from the trroats of this ocean Of
children As three cherS for the
red white and blue stin fingered in
the air, children representing the
various schools Of the District 49,
ga nto carry to the presidential
platform flowers Of every hue. some
what wilted but still expressive,
until a veritsble mountain Of how-
Iers obscured the stage.
Sing Capital Song.
Washington" dedicated 10 the
national capital. was chorused by
the students Of the Junior High
school under the direction Of Miss
Edith B. Athey. civic organ,st
william T. Pierson. Of this city,
is the author OF the song.
Children from all Of the colored
schools Of the District sang with
remarkably richness and harmony
the Battle Hymn OF the Republic
In conclusion a mighty cha--'s
sang America" while the thou-
sands of isS futtered again-thSSe
vino didn't have flags wavei hand.
kSrchiefs, and those w" didn't
have handkerchiefs waved programs
o: fragments Of waste paper that
had encircled bouquets. It was .
great finale to this unique celebra-
tion of musical community spirtS.
Bouquet Given.
Other features wtre the presenta-
tion of a bouquet OF flowers to Mrs.
Harding and a bouquet OF roses 10
Robert Lawrence, the director OF
Music week, who has worked unre-
init; ingly to make IL a success. The
first rhetoric clas Of Note Dame
aca .smy made the gift 10 Lawrence.
The huge floral Tyre was taken 20
the White House and the o.hu
flowers to Walter Reed hospital.