Evening star., 1921-03-30
COLUMBIA AS MUSE
GIVES VOTE TOD.C.
Enfranchisement Conferred
as Part of Dream of Old
est Inhabitant.

Columbia has conferred enfran-
chisement on the District of Colum-
bia The muse of history has chron-
icled on her great scroll the fact that
the citizens of Washington have al
last been granted a voice in the shap-
ing of the nations destinies.
True. only as a part of the great
dream of the oldest inhabitant as he
visioned the history of our city from
its beginning to the present tune ha-
fore 1000 persons who crowded the
auditorium of Central High School
last night to view the elaborate Dis
trfct of Columbia Evening celebra-
iion arranged by III" AU-S'alcs So.T"tE
in coop ration with -" "nln'H"
center department of the pubiic
schools and various historic and pa
triotic societies. However. this pro-
phetic scene formed a fitting climax
10 a series of episodes and tabieauX
which depicted Washington city from
its infancy to world capital.
Spirit of Washington.
The dramatic scenes of the program
opened with the oldest inhabitant sit
ling alone by the fire lost in reverie
and thinking of the early days of the
city, VI hen he WAS child: then think
ing of it today. The oldest inhabitant
then fell asleep wishing that George
Washington, who selected the site 70,
the new capital on tn" banks of tn
Potomac. and others connected wi;
it's founding and building could be
hold it as it is today. In the old man's
dream the spirits of Georg" Washing
ton and Maj. Pierre lEnfant th'
French engineer who planned the
foundations and laying out of the
streets of Washington, appeared and
stood beside the oldest inhabitant,
while he slumbered.
The Muse history then summoned
episodes from the city's history. which
included Henry Fleet, the first white
man to come up the Potomac, who
was captured by the Nacostine In
dians: the reception of Marquis de
Lafayette, at Suffers Tavern ir
GeorgetoWn; the writing of the stan
Spangled Banner. by Francis Scott
Key; the old time ''mammy"; Wash
inSton public school of 1856: Abraham
Lincoln, Alexander Shepherd deliver
ing speech in 1887. and review OF
the District sons who fought i
Americas wars.
\ Appeal to States Granted.
The final episode of the pageant
showed the District of Columbia making
an appeal to the states of the Union
asking for representation. which was
granted. The scenes were linked to-
gether in the nature of an allegory.
which was written, lines and action, by
Miss Ada Louise Townsend. Miss Le-
more Marie de Grange had charge of the
staging and general directing of the af-
fair.
Before the pageant began. DR.. Abram
Simon. president of the board of educa
ton, briefly outlined the work of the
community centers. declaring they were
a continuation of the public schools
"The community centers." he said.
"meet the need of adults and children
for continued education" He then
ferson in 1905 to Robert Brent. in which
Mr.. Jefferson stated he would accept
the presidency of the board of trustees
of the District of Columbia public
schools.
Short talks also were made by
Edgar c. Snyder, chairman of the ad-
visory committee in charge of the
celebration: DR.. Frank w. Ballou.
superintendent Of schools and Mrs.
ed member of the school board. Music
was furnished by the orchestra of
the United States Marine Band.
Fred E. Barbour took the role of
the oldest inhabitant. Emma Ware
Anderson conveyed to the audience
the dreams of the old man, portray yed
by the various episodes. Among
others seen in leading roles were
William B. Crowell. E. ]. Ward. Will
w. A. Morsell. Laurence c. Staples.
James Douglas. Mary Randolph Dick
ems, Anna May Neff. Lula G. Adams,
Clarence f. Ruebsam. Dennis f. Con-
nell. Joseph Eaton. Edward c. Town
send. E. V. Wilcox. c. c. Calhoun.
Mabel Owens Wilcox and Maud
Howell Smith.