Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-17
DEFENSE HIGHWAY
FORMALLY OPENED
WITH CEREMONIES
Continued from First Page.)

Continued from First PageJ
Barracks, infantrymen from the Dis
trict of Columbia Headquarters Com
pany, and bluejackets. only they were
clad in Summer ducks, from the re-
ceiving ship Reina Mercedes.
Despite the heat the crowd was
good natured, out to enjoy itself. 1t
resembled a big family reunion,
neighbor greeting neighbor and dele
cations from the District mixing with
the Marylanders like old friends.
Musical Program Given.
The band, led by Myer Goldman.
played refrains which sounded through
the Maryland hills long before auto
mobiles were invented. Miss Gretchen
Hood, Washington soloist, sang
Maryland, My Maryland" and 1.-THE
Star Spangled Banner" accompanied
by the band. Hampton Magruder Of
Prince Georges County was master of
ceremonies
AS soon as the speaking at the
bridge was over, everybody headed for
Annapolis. The procession was led by
an escort of Maryland and District
Chief George Watson. Maj. Hesse,
superintendent of police, was there,
too. Right after the passenger cars
bearing the officials came three big
buses. One bus bore the banner OF
the Women's City Club, the next car
ried goodly representation from the
Board of Trade and the third bore
members of the Washington Chamber
of Commerce.
The streets of the old town were
decked in flags, in honor to the Wis
itorS and the occasion, and the United
States Naval Academy Band, seated
under the NAPLES in the academy
grounds, gave a special concert.
300 Attend Dinner.
The National Defense Highway ded-
ication dinner was the official title of
the meal which was served at Carvel
Hall and attended by about 800 peo-
pie, but it was really an old-fashioned
Anne Arundel County friend chicken
supper.
Ridgely p. Melvin of Annapolis, as
POSTMASTER, babe everybody welcome
and then Charles w. Smith, mayor of
Annapolis, got up and did the same
thing.
Representative Stephen w. Cambria.
from the fifth congressional district
of Maryland, said that at the next
session of Congress he plans to rein
troduce his bill, which seeks 81, 00O,-
600 appropriation for widening the
new highway. Somebody asked why
it was narrow, and one OF the Mary
landers replied. 80 as to make 1t
longer"
=. C. Graham, president of the
AZ a when
the highway will be 50.foot boule.
yarde lined with houses. He said 1t
already has made Washington and
Annapolis adjacent communities, and
that there was a big need for addi-
tional entrances to Washington to re.
lieve traffic congestion at the District
line.
Other Neutrality-suspicious. Speak.
Martin A. Leese, president Of the
Washington Chamber of Commerce,
spoke OF the highway as wise in
vestment paying dividends through In
creased business enterprise, and men
toned the avenue 1t creates to the
shopping district Of Washington.
Stanley Horner, representing the
Washington Branch of the American
Automobile Association, spoke of the
roadway from the standpoint OF the
motorist, tracing it's development from
dirt road to the present concrete
thoroughfare.
James A. Walton of Annapolis, one
of the leaders in the movement which
made the highway a reality, told of
the early plans for the project.
Judge Mary O'Toole, the first presi-
dent of the Women's City Club. was
at the speakers table and so was
Rear Admiral Edward W. Eberle,
chief of naval operations, and Isaac
Cans, former president of the Cham
Der Of Commerce.
Chaplain w. N. Thomas, United
States Navy, pronounced the benedic.
ton and Rev. James J. Lynch OF
Annapolis gave the invocation.
After the dinner most of the crowd
strolied down to the harbor and
watched a display Of fireworks. The
day closed with dance at the st.
Johns College Gymnasium.