Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-10
Winning ORATORS
CREATE SOCIETY
Big Day eliminates in Plan
for Permanent Associa-
ton of FinaIists.


on an extended sightseeing tour of the
National Capital there sprang up
among the seven national oratorical
contestants a comraoeship that cul-
minated last night in the tentative for
nation of THE National Association
of Oratorical Contestants. or The
Seven Stars of the Pleiades."
The organization of this unique so
cial body by the nations champion
suggestion made by John Hays
Hammond. who presided at the final
elimination contest in the Washing
ton Auditorium FriGay night, and the
further advice Of AR Hammond will
be sought today regarding the scope
and other important details of the as
ISOLATION.
Tentative officers. as elected in
formally last night at dinner tender
ed the visitors by The Star in the
cabinet room of the New Willard
Hotel, are: Robert Sessions Of Birm-
ingham, Ala, and winner of first
prize in the national oratorical con-
test, president; Eugene F.. McElmeel,
Los Angeles, winner of second prize
secretary, and Max N Krooff of
Sioux City, Iowa, recipient of the third
award. historian. The other charter
members are Miss Asenath Graves,
champion orator of the District of
Columbia; Miss Flora Longenecker.
llion, n. Y, Northeastern champion;
George Stansell, Chicago. Central
States champion. and Philip Glatfelter,
Columbia, Pa, Eastern champion.
Membership Expansion.
1t is planned to invite last years
champions to join the organization
and to add TO the membership each
year the seven national finahsts in
future contests.
Announcement of the organization
plans was made at the conclusion of
the dinner by President Sessions. amid
applause from the score of parents
and friends of the contestants gather
ed at the table.
The dinner was a rousing china X
10 busy day of entertainment ar
ranged for the young men and women
under the direction of c. Fred Cook
representing The Star.
Yesterday was an eyentful one for
the finalists, and il provided a vel
come relief from the strain they had
been subjected to prior to the final
test. In the morning they were con-
veyed in big sightseeing bus to the
capitol and thence to the eastern sec
ton of the city. They visited the
monastery in Brookland where Rev.
Godfrey Schilling presented each con
testant with silver crucifiK. The
return trip was made through the
Soldiers Home grounds. From there
the party went direct to the White
House and was received in turn by
Mrs. Coolidge and the President him
self.
Invited to Service.
After luncheon in the Raleigh Ho.
tel, The Star took it's guests on a
longer bus tour, this time visiting the
Episcopal Cathedral at Mount ST Al
| ban, where Ri. Rev. James Z. Free.
man, Bishop of Washington, greeted
each champion at Bethlehem Chapel
and invited the group to attend the
special Mothers day service in the
chapel at 4 o'clock this afternoon.
Following an inspection of the tonbs
of Woodrow Wilson and Admiral
Dewey in the cathedral crypt, the
party was carried over the Key
Bridge to Fort Myer and Arlington
National Cemetery. The contestants
were photographed at the tomb of
the Unknown Soldier and in front of
the Lee Mansion.
The return to the city was made
via the Highway Bridge and the Lin
coin Memorial, another picture being
snapped" at the latter place.
d
throughout the day but what they
found a camera pointed at them Two
staff photographers of The Star trailed
the orators and posed them at every
possible point in preparation for the
elaborate pictorial souvenir which will
be made up and presented them as a
reminder of their visit here
The succession Of impressive sights
seemed almost to overwhelm the
young men and women as the day
progressed, and, favored by ideal
weather. they were deeply impressed
with the beauty of their Capital City.
Limericks Cause Joy.
Then came the dinner to strengthen
the good fellowship created during the
day. Between courses the seven ora
tors had their heads together and the
suppressed. giggles of the girls signi-
fed to the older guests that something
was in the air. 1t turned out to be
the plan for a permanent organization.
AS final touch the finalists showed
young Stansen read a series of orig
inal limericks composed about each
contestant and, in addition, Toast
master Cook.
Today the visitors will occupy them
selves as they see fit, no program
having been arranged, that those who
wish to rest may do so.
The grand finale will come tomor-
row when Secretary of the Navy VIII
bur will be host to the orators on a
cruise down the river to Mount Yer
non aboard the u. S. S. Sylph.
Luncheon will be served on board the
yacht as it weighs anchor at 1870
pm. The guests viii spend an hour
at Mount Vernon returning tn the