The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-06-01
RUSH.
PRESIDENT
At FETE
Mr.. and Mrs. Harding Shower
ed With Flowers as Singing
Youngsters Stampede.

Marines, soldiers, secret service
men and police. assigned as guards
OF the President, mean nothing to
the school children Of Washington.
When they want to get close to the
President of the United States
nothing stops them.
President and Mrs. Harding, &C.
cupying a box in the American
League Baseball Park yesterday,
where a serenade was being given
IN their honor, were rushed" by
S,UUO children who broke out OF
their formation and stormed around
the Chiefs Executives box.
Deep concern for the safety of
snah tots who Joined in the STAN
pede was felt when the onrush
began, but President Harding
proved himself master Of the situn.
ton and rescued from the oncon.
ing children all of the little ones.
The program went off as per
schedule until little five-year
Helen Briggs. with 200 kindergarten
children, had completed the "11le
Presidents SURPRISE" q song and
dance number The little tot then
called out to the President: "will
you come today and play with u.s."
Started Stampede.
The President responded by de.
claring he would like to come and
play with them every day. Then
he took little Helen into his arms,
and carried her into his box.
This action on the part Of the
President started the stampede. The
break in the ranks of the children
came and 5000 pupils Of the pup
lie schools rushed to the Presi-
dental box, all seeking to shake
hands with the Chief Executive.
They showered the President with
flowers.
Some grabbed the President bv
his lapel, others tugged at his arms
while still others tried to reach up
and kiss him. Smiling broadly thu
President stretched both hands and
shocks hands with the children ali
around him. He reached over and
got many Of the little tots, putting
them safely in his box.
One little red-haired boy who
was standing In the rear Of Presi.
dent Harding and unable to reach
the Presidents hand broke all Gus
toms and conventions. He grab
bed the Presidents coattail and
jerked him around. The President
gave him a hearty handshake.
Order was restored a few min.
utes later. The little tots rescued
by the President were sent hack
to the care of their teachers. Presi.
dent and Mrs. Harding, somewhat
mussed up, adjusted their clothes,
and settled down to witness the rest
of the show. The program then
continued.
Thousands In Singing.
1t was one of the most success
full serenades ever presented in
Washington. Thousands of white
clad children, each carrying q bou-
quet of flowers. took part in the
singing.
The program included the sing
ing of The Star-Spangled Banner"
Hail to the Chief" Washington"
BLOW Soft Winds" and THE Presi.
dents Surprise" There were three
choruses, two with 1900 children
each and another with 1000 chill.
dren.
Ruth Griffin. in Indian costume,
pledged fealty OF that race to this
Government in a short address to
the President.
The entire program was arranged
and prepared by Robert Lawrence,
director Of the Community Music
Association. Among those present
were Charles Evans Hughes, Secrc-
tary Of State; Maj. Gen. John j.
Pershing, Admiral Robert =.
Koontz, Maj. Gen. John j. LeJeune,
and other high officers Of the army
and navy.