The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-06-28
D. A. R. Opens
JULY 4 WEEK
CONTINUED from Page 49,

the rnisrule OF George the Third,
but because Jefferson, at heart an
ldea1ist and with all the enthusiasm
Of youth, challenged the universal
conception OF the period as to the
nature Of government and asserted
In eloquent phrase the sovereignty
OF the people
Reviewing the progress Of DEM
ocFacy since that time, and declar-
ing there was a reaction, swift
and terrible, against parliamentary
government" Beck declared this
did not mean a revolt against DEM
ocracy in its ultimate meaning,
despite the trend throughout Europe
toward a. form of government which
is not dependent upon parliament
ary majorities.
stThe World War revealed that
democracy as q government insti-
tuition Is not workable unless there
be a people who are politically
capable OF self-government."
The rites opened with a flag cere-
mony during which the audience,
which filled the auditorium Of the
ID. A. r. hall, stood at attention,
and at exactly IL q. M, the hour
OF the signing of the famous Dec
laration, & bell was tolled in COM
menoration OF the original ringing
OF the Liberty Bell at Philadelphia
The Marine Band played during the
services and cornetist John p.
White sounded attention when, col
ors were to be presenter.
Mrs. Alfred j. Brosseau, president
general OF the D. A. r.. presided
and introduced Beck. Among those
on the platform were two lineal
descendants of Thomas Jefferson,
Mrs. Mason Nicholson, of this city
and Miss Fanny Burke, OF Alexan-
dria, Va.
The ushered in the big
gest Fourth OF July celebration week
the National Capital has known for
SO years. Each day Of the week has
been named, with today being Pat
riots Pledge OF Faith Day" and
tomorrow Universal Education
Day"
That the exercises may be held
In unison throughout the Nation, a
national commission headed by
President Coolidge and cooperating
with Congress has set this week
aside as the Official celebration
week OF both the Declaration of
Independence and the Tooth annl-
versary Of the death Of Thomas
Jefferson.
Cabinet members, Senator'S, Rep
resentatives and city officials are
present at today's ceremonies,
which are public and broadcast
through WCAP. Mrs. Herbert M.
Lord led the salute to the Flag, de-
tailed Army sergeants conducted the
salute to the colors, and Mrs. Rhetta
Goode, past chaplain general of the
D. A. r., led in prayer and scripture
reading.
others on the program were VIII
liam Tyler Page, Mrs. Alfred j.
Brosseau, president general Of the
D. A. R., presiding, and Mrs. Flora
McGill Keefer.
At 11a1 O'Clock every bell in the
city rang with the old firehouse
bell at Nineteenth and II Streets
Northwest, and the chimes OF
Epiphany and the Metropolitan M
e. Churches, taking part.
AS part of the days program be-
ginning official Declaration Of In
dependence Week, julius Strobel,
SO years old, of 61S Sixth st. S. W.,
today tolIed the old alarm bell in
the ancient firehouse at Nineteenth
and H SITS. N. w.
The bell was cast about 1880,
| Strobel said, while the heavy vibra'
| tons shook cobwebs from the walls
long after he stopped tolling.
| He was accompanied by his son
Robert strobel, SO. of AL Eighth
st. s. W..
At the appointed time the aged
man donned the helmet he used
| back in the SOS. when fires were
| fought with bucket brigades, seized
the clapper rope and pulled. the
cIamor was deafening.
People awoke with start Wher
they heard its changing in the deao
of night. =;
It was the first time that the
old "snoke-eater" had been inside
the firehouse for a long time. II
probably will be the last, for he's
"getting' DID," he said.
His hair and beard are the color
of old ivory, but his eyes have g
brown brilliance surprising in q
man Of his age.
When the echoes OF the bell dieC
down, he took off the helmet, put
on his sober black hat, called his
dog and started home. He carried
himself q bit more proudly thar
when he entered the building q
lehert %4Eae 'beHore.
.