Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-22
1882 Celebration Should En-
brace All Country's ActiW-
ties, He Says in Joint Ad-
dress to Congress.
AZ RADIO STATIONS GIVE
MESSAGE TO MILLIONS
States Urged to Name Commission.
ers to Prepare Exhibits or Pro
grams-Praises First Executives
Work for National Capital.
High Tribute to His Character.

FfeSioent 1OolQBcp dUutSSsHlS ehS
Senate and the House of Representa-
tives in joint session at the Capitol
today, formally called upon the whole
Nation to begin preparations imme-
diately for active participation in
the celebration here in 1882 in OBJ
servance of the bicentennial ami
versary of the birth of George
Washington.
Although the President directed
his summons to the States and insu-
lar possessions of the Union, his
invitation swept beyond the borders
OF this Government when he de-
clared:
Wherever there are those who
love ordered liberty, they may well
join in the observance of that event.
Although he belongs to US, yet by
being a great American he became a
great world figure"
President Coolidge declared that
this celebration should be truly rep
resentative of all the activities which
characterize our national life," ex-
have matured they may embrace the
active support also OF educational and
religious institutions. OF the many
civic, social and fraternal organiza-
ticns and agricultural and trade asso-
Citations Of the entire country.
Audience Ii Impressive.
''It Is natural he said. that here
under the shadow Of the stately Monu-
nent rising 10 his memory. in the
Capital City bearing his name, the
country made Independent by his
military genius ana the Republic
established by his statesmanship
should already begin preparations to
proclaim the immortal honor In which
we hold the Father of our Country"
The President addressed one OF the
greatest audiences ever to hear q
single speaker simultaneously. On
the floor OF the House chamber were
gathered all OF the members Of both
houses OF Congress- and scores Of
distinguished guests. The galleries
were packed to the doors. while ~
radio stations were linked together. to
carry the Presidents words to the
farthest corners OF the Nation.
This relay Of broadcasting stations
reached from the Atlantic seaboard
to the Pacific Coast In one direction.
and from Maine to Georgia and Texas
in another. constituting the new
transcontinental hook-up of the
National Broadcasting Company. 1t
was estimated that the number Of
persons who heard President Coolidge
speaking reached far into the millions,
an accurate check being. Of course.
impossible.
House Assemblies First.
For q half an hour before noon the
Army Band played patriotic aire in the
lobby Of the House chamber. The
House membership assembled first
taking seats in the rear of the cham
Der. At noon the chaplain Of ths
House delivered q prayer and the
House then stood in recess on motor
OF the majority floor leader, Tilson.
A few minutes later the Vice Presi.
dent and the Senate were announced
Vice President Dawes was escorted to
the Speakers desk and there present
ed by Speaker Longworth as the pre-
siding officer. The Senators took
seats Immediately in front of the
House assemblage.
When Mrs. Coolidge entered the
executive gallery there was much ap
plause from the floor Of the chamber
Mellon Leads Cabinet.
The commanding officers of the
Army, Navy and Marine SCorps, the
members of the diplomatic corps, the
collateral descendants of Gen. George
Washington and the members of the
commission in charge Of the bicenten
nial celebration OF the birth OF George
Washington were all announced and
escorted to their respective places
The Presidents cabinet next filed
into the chamber, led by Secretary
Mellon of the Treasury in the absence
of Mr.. Kellogg. the Secretary Of State
who is Ill.
Chief Justice Taft and the associat,
justices Of the Supreme Court wer,
conducted to special chairs Arranged
for them in front Of and to the righ
of the Speaker.
Senators, led by Senator Curtis o
Kansas and Senator Robinson OF Ar
kansas. occupied a section back OF tn
cabinet and the Supreme Court OF
both sides.
Score of Governors Attend.
A group of more than a score o
governors OF States sat on the Demo
cratic side. Members Of the House
with a liberal sprinkling Of their chill
dren. occupied seats to the rear.
The special commission Of 10 Z
arrange for the celebration of tn
200th anniversary OF the birth
george Washington, OF which Pres
dent Coolidge is ex-officio chairmal
and William Tyler Page, clerk OF tn
House. is executive secretary. wer @
Led by Senator Fess OF Ohio and Rep
rssentative Hawley OF oregon.
The other Senate members are Ser
ators Capper, Kansas; Bayard. Del
and Glass OF Virginia: The othe
House members are Tilson of Cor
necticut, Byrns Of Tennessee and Ca
I ner Of Texas.
Others on Commission.
The members appointed at large b
the President are Henry Ford, a.
sistAnt Secretary OF War HanaoI' I
MaeNaider. Mrs. Anthony Wayn
Cook, Mira. John sherman. 6ernar
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