Evening star., 1926-04-09
PRESIDENT PLEADS FOR PRESS
IDEALS AS HE LAYS CORNER STONE
Ceremonies at New Building Witnessed by Cabinet,
T. Capital and Latin American Journalists
ss' and Large Audience.

Uric Bell. Washington correspond
ent of the Louisville Courier.1ournal
and president OF the National Press
Club, presided and delivered a brief
address before introducing President
Coolidge. saying in part: Our return
to old newspaper row links great
modern enterprise with the glamour
Gus past of newspaperdom and with
the future. II was here in decades
gone by that our predecessors truly
laid the foundatio Of the National
Press Building. 1t is here that we
come now to fashion what newer dec
AIDES may know as Americas jour
nalistic center"
John Joy Edison OF the Chamber OF
Commerce Of the United States. in
behalf of the people and the press,
Avoiced hope of success for the oh.
iects and aims of the National Press
Club. emphasized the great service
and sacrifice of the American press in
promoting the best interests of social
conditions. advancement of civiliZa-
ton and good government
Tribute to Journalists.
"fn a spirit OF far.reaching helpful
ness. in faith and in ideals. men OF
conviction and men Of courage. rep
resenting the press OF the United
States in Washington, have had the
opportunity to stimulate and nurture
new and deeper nationalism. Mr..
Edison said. "r'he magnificent build
ing that will rise upon this historic
site is tribute to these men.
Eighteen years ago the National
Press Club came into being. During
that period It has served purpose
Ii, t. oil pf
measurement 1t has marshaled in
Washington In social and profes-
sional intercourse the representatives
of the press of America. Ii has
proved of real value and adva nta ge
In promoting mutual confidence and
respect among it's members. In It's
clubrooms have been gathered notable
men from all parts of the world.
These occasions have not only been
nioyable but in most cases enlight-
ening and interesting.
Zone OF the reasons forcefully
maintained for having National
Press Club on so large scale Is that
it can render most important serv-
ice to the people of the Nation con
cerninG the best social conditions and
in lettering and protecting civiliza
ton. The public recognizes the pow
erful influence that Is daily exercised
i'm the press in molding public opin-
ion upon vital subjects as they arise
for consideration and determination.
We feel certain that through it's great
service and sacrifice the press perhaps
more than all other institutions has
the opportunity of aiding in the
realization Of the objects which the
public seeks to attain.
The desire Of all good citizens is
that every exertion should he made
by the press for the best that 1t is
possible to accomplish for the well
fare and happiness and the preserva
ton of liberties of all the people. So
we may all wish the highest degree
of success for the objects and aims
Of the National Press Club as it en-
barks upon its auspicious enterprise
and for continuation of it's career
of usefulness to the public"
Col j. Franklin Bell, District En-
gineer Commissioner. spoke for the
people of Washington, and Rev. G. c.
r. Bratenahl. dean of the National
Cathedral. gave benediction.
Program Is Broadcast.
The exercises were broadcast by
stations WEAF and WCAP. linked lin
with station WIZ in New York City,
which made efforts to broadcast the
exercises to South America. A her.
metically sealed box buried in the
corner stone contained Washington
newspapers of yesterday. a complete
roster of the club. list of charter
members and history of the club. a
copy of the Congressional Directory.
especially bound for the purpose at
the Government Printing Office: q
box containing ten and twenty de-
lar gold piece dated 1926. the gifts
of Secretary Of the Treasury Mellon,
and a number of other articles.
Immediately after the exercises the
National Press Club entertained the
delegates to the First Pan-American
Journalistic Congress at a musical
greeting" at Keith's Theater. where
a number of artists of international
fame sang and played. Before the