The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
MILLION TAKING
PART IN CONTEST
. ON CONSTITUTION
Oratorial Rivalry Stirs
Remarkable Interest In
Great Document

A million boys ana girls are partlcl.
pating in the National Oratorical Con-
test on the Constitution, which The
Age-Herald is sponsoring for Alabama.
That is the outstanding fact of the
reports from all parts of the country
which have been used as the basis for
the statistics sent out today to partici-
pating newspapers by Randolph Leigh,
organizer and director of the contest,
from national headquarters in New
York city.
The magnitude of the undertaking,
and the enthusiasm with which it has
been received. are reflected in the fol-
lowing summary of the contest to date:
Contestants approximately 1000, 900
Schools participating ...... 1921
Metropolitan newspapers. Al
All other publications ...... SO
Adult co-operators ........ %, l32
The contest which is clear-cut news
paper contribution toward better citi-
zenship and has no commercial fea-
lures attached, has received the sup
port of publicists and educators every
where. Among the indorsers of the
movement are the presidents of the
leading universities of the land, includ-
ing those of Yale, Harvard, Princeton
: and Columbia. 1t has also received the
Endorsement of the president of the
American Bar association.
Aids From All Sources
In practically every community the
local committee of the bar association
has aided the newspapers in this work
of stimulating interest in and respect
for the Constitution of the United
States. Likewise the leaders in the
chambers of commerce, Rotary, Lions
and Kiwanis clubs, and other Organi-
cations of a similar nature, have been
unstinting in their aid.
An important feature of the contest
has been the publicity given it in the
student publications throughout the
nation. Similarly the cooperation of
thousands of li's:arians and their assist
ants has facilitated the researches of
the various contestants and has helped
to quicken the interest of the general
public is the subjects under considera-
ton.
The number of contestants in several
states has been greatly increased by
the fact that the school authorities
have made work on the orations part
of the curriculum, with the result that
all of the students have entered the
contest In all of the contest centers
the school authorities have given the
project their support.
The honor Of having the largest num-
Der of contestants in any one institu-
ton in the nation goes to the Dewitt
Clinton High school, in New York city,
all of whose 1861 pupils have partici-
pated in the contest.
Reaches Them All
In addition to public schools paro,
chial and private schools nave ehte srs
enthusiastically into the contest. Inc
result is that it has been truly natlonai'
NOT only in the territorial, but IN the
social sense, 1t has reached into the
most exclusive eastern institutions anu
info the most crudely equipped school
houses in the distant places. Even tne
c;tizenship classes in the night schools
have taken up the work, despite the
fact that most of their members are
above the age limit Of III years. IheS
have found it to be a splendid prepare
ton for their citizenship examinations.
Americans of all races and colors
and conditions of life have wed with
one another in this first NATIONWIDE
test of the youthful talents OF the
various sections.
For Malheur county, Oregon, In the
heart of the sagebrush land and miles
from civilization spokesman has
already been chosen. Likewise the
Texas Panhandle has not been without
its echo of the din of words. In the
state of Washington Nez Perez chief
tain's son, descended from one Of the
greatest of Red-skinned orators, has al
ready won his way to the point. where
he is recognized as a formidable con-
testant for state honorG.
In the territory clearing through
Philadelphia (the birthplace OF the con-
stitution) more than 100000 pupils are
narticipating. So has it been in VIZ,
rinia. in the deep south, in the central
states. and in fact throughout tine ma
ton. -, ,..+
Within few weeks even the largest
contest centers will have selected their
snokesmn. Then, on May 16, there will
he the meetings to determine the sec
t;onal champions. The sectional meet
ing nlsces will be New York, Chicago,
PHILADELPHIA, Kansas City and Los
Angeles. The meeting place for the
southern zone is not definitely decided
upon. but will be announced later line
sectional champions having been select"
ed, they will, on June 6, in the pres
ence of the President of the United
States, compete for national hOnors, and
for the national awards of $3,oOO,
81 900 and $500.