Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-31
COOLIDGE FAVORS
ORATORY CONTEST
Reiterates Approval-Sees
Importance in Training
Young People.

President Coolidge. who delivered
an address at the final meetings of the
National Oratorical Contests of 1924
and 1925, has again given signal proof
of his interest in the movement and
of the high valuation which he places
upon it as a citizenship contribution.
Upon being informed of the details
of the plan for repeating the orator.
cal contests on an even larger scale
ThiS Spring, he reiterated his approval
ii the contest in forceful letter to
the editor Of The Star, which
IS reproduced elsewhere in this
Issue and which emphasizes the i'm
portance OF thoroughly grounding
our young people in The fundamental
principles laid down by our fore
fathers"
IN the course of his address at the
national finals last year in the Wash
ington Auditorium President Coolidge
described the National O"atorical Con
test as the greatest competition of its
kind ever held in the world"
Views of Coolidge.
Pointing to the possibility of wild
ening the usefulness of the contest,
he said
our Nation has weighty RESPONSE
hility, not only for maintaining its
own we fare, liberties and power. but
for the utmost possible contribution
toward organizing the nations and
peoples in the aspirations and the
ways of peace.
Here is a field for institutional
development to which the thoughts
Of men and women everywhere are
turned as they never were before.
Though their scale is greater, yet the
problems in this realm Of world or
'g@ N a "a ms
as those TO which mankind has been
addressing itself from the beginning
of society. These are the problems
of assuring justice alike to weak and
strong; assuring peace with honor, OF
enthroning conscience in places of au-
thority too long uSurped by mere
force. The same humanity that has
been able to erect the rule of law
and liberty on the scale of great ma
tions and m ghty declarations will a.
last find institutions by which to
place International relations upon the
same sure foundations.
Perhaps the inspiration to leader
ship in such work of world states
manship may be born in some of these
young men and women because of
their studies that lie in the back
ground of this occasion. 1t is none
too great a hope to entertain of so
International Phase.
The 1926 contest will contain both
national and international features.
In its national phases it will center
around an intensive study and an
enlivening Interpretation of our con-
stitutional system by the high school
boys and girls of the United States.
In it's international phases it will
bring together picked youthful speak
ers from the various nations with
view to bringing about better I'M
Outstanding between the different
countries by means of frank and
friendly statement of national view
points and aspirations in the sphere
or government.
The Washington Star offers the
following prizes for the contestants
in its territory. Ten cash prizes of
800 each. one of $500 and a Summer
tour Of EuroDe.
Work Gaining Momentum.
With the midyear examinations
ended in the local public high schools,
active work in arranging for the
ora-orical contests in each school will
begin in earnest the coming week.
Contest committees have been named
by the school principals and special
meetings in which the contest VIII be
explained ana enthusiasm aroused 10
incite participation and engender
school pride in the competition will be
held. Already many have signified
their intention of taking part in the
contests which offer a greatly increaS-
ed incentive for participation this
year as a result of the superb Eu
rOpean tour with all expenses paid
which awaits each of the seven final
lists in the big national contest, which
viii take place in Washington in
June.
Much added interest to the contest
in the Washington territory already
Is noticeable as a result of the extern
sion of the contests this year to in
Clude nearby counties in Maryland
and Virginia. From all of this new
territory come reports of keen inter
est among principals and teachers and
already the work of interesting pupils
In participating is under way.
In addition TO previously reported
activities in the newly added territory
word has just been received at the
national Office of the contest in The
Star Building from Prof. X. j. Morris,
principal of The HyattsvilIe, Md, High
School, to the effect that the matter
las been presented to that school,
that much interest has been aroused
and that several have alrf ady ex-
PRESSED their intention of participat-
ing.