Evening star., 1925-04-22
10000 FANS, LED
!. BY PRESIDENT, OUT
FOR OPENING GAME
NotabIes of Many Lands
Gather to See Debut OF
Champions.
COOLIDGE AND KELLOGG
TO AID IN CEREMONIES
Johnson to Hurl Against Yankees.
Perfect Weather Conditions
Prevail for Game.

GRIFFITH STADIUM. April 22.-
Some 40 900 citizens of the Natloh
Capital this afternoon forgot such
routine matters as problems OF state
and business and beaded for Grlfnth
Stadium 10 see, for the first time in
history. a Washington base bail team
make its debut in world champion
ship role.
simultaneously, some 4o,oeo once
chairs including a mahogany one al
the White House, were vacated III
favor of about that number OF mucn
more attractive seats banked about
the fateful spot where, last Fail, the
home team startled the world in one
of base balls unforgetable dramas
1t seemed that this afternoon
home ground inaugural between
young Bucky Harris gang or deter
mined champs and the American
League sister team of the vanqulshed
New York Giants was a belated re-
sponse to the hoarse encore that rent
the atmosphere out Georgia avenue
way that fine autumnal day a few
months back.
Flash-Back From October.
Not only was the same team, even
to the idoliZed Barney, to take the
field today as on that memorable oc-
casion. but the very crowd or exciteo
fans, from the President of the United
States and his wife to the early ar
rivals in the far bleachers seemed a
fla sh. back from last October's specta.
Gle. Even the weather man conJureo
up a similarly perfect day.
President Coolidge was reported as
being in excellent pitching form. and
il was expected he would make
brilliant Job of throwing out the hrst
hall from the flag -draped presidential
box, With him will be Mrs. Coolidge,
than whom there Is no better ian IN
Washington: Secretary OF state kei-
losg, Secretary of the Treasury Mel
Ion. Attorney General Sargent, Secre-
tary Everett Sanders and Mrs. san
ders.
NofabIes Are Present.
Gathered near the presidential box
and sDrfnkIed generously through the
restless crowd one easily dlstin-
guished the familiar countenances OF
other high officials, diplomats, mem
bers of both houses of Congress, ana
other important cogs in the ma
chinery of this and foreign govern
ments.
ThGr6 was nope tIidt thCiC
he no grave national or international
crisis arising this day, for 1t would
be the most neglected crisis in his
tory.
Adding to the official aspect of the
opening game, Secretary of State
Kellogg was prepared to assist Pres
ident Clark Griffith in hoisting to the
mizzenmast the national colors while
the scarlet f1ecked Marine Band plays
'The Star Spangled Banner.
This little ceremony was scheduled
to begin promptly at 1920 o'clock, just
10 minutes before game time. The
flag raising proper was to be preced :
ed by a long march to the tall pole
in deep center field.
Batting practice was begun just as
the gates were opened, and the crowd
which rushed for the lower right field
pavilion gave the players a welcoming
cheer.
Uncle Nick Altrock showed his ad
mirers that he still has some steam
left in that bronzed left pitching arm
of his, striking out several or the
local sluggers as they came to bat IT
the practice cage.
About practice time President Grif
fifth made the terrifying discovery thai
the sacred presidential box back oi
the Washington dugout was entirely
devoid of flags. He sent a hurry cal
for attendants and soon the box hat
been draped with huge American
emblem.