Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-22
SUMMERALL TALKS
ON PREPAREDNESS
Tells Patriotic Bodies Lack
OF Strength Plunged U. S.
Into World War.

Into World War.
Lack of preparedness was blamed
for the entrance of the United
States into the World War by Maj
Gen. Charles P. Summerall chief of
staff, United States Army, at the
joint celebration of Washington S
birthday today by the local socie-
ties of the Sons OF the American
Revolution, Daughters of the Amer
lean Revolution and Children of the
American Revolution, in Memorial
Continental Hall.
Gen. Summerall declared the state
ment of George Washington that
there Is dignity due this country
that will be denied If we have "A repu-
tation for weakness has been proven.
History has shown that We have
borne that reputation, he added.
"You know that in 1917 it was our
reputation for weakness that plunged
us into that greatest conflict of all
times" continued Summerall. 1t was
that same weakness, the speaker
added, that caused the loss; of the
thousands Of lives of American SOL
diers and the consequent suffering in
this country.
Quotes Wasllington's Statement.
Gen. Surnmerall also quoted Wash
ington's statement: "In time of peace
prepare for war;" and declared that
today we should drink of courage
and strength and reconsecrate our
selves to our country"
THE flag that belongs to us and
that we hold so dear to our hearts will
remain ours only SO long as we are
strong enough to defend it, the gen
eral concluded.
Mrs. James Nj. Wiley. State regent,
District of Columbia Daughters of
the American Revolution, who pre-.
sided at the meeting, delivered brief
address in which she declared the
Daughters of the American Revolu-
ton are lovers of peace, but that they
do not believe in peace without pre-
paredness.
Others who spoke of the signifi-
canoe of the occasion were Marvin H.
Lewis, past president general of the
National Society of the Sons of the
American Revolution: Mrs. Josiah
A. Van Orsdel, national president of
the Society OF the Children of the
American Revolution, and DR.. George
L
Columbia Society, Sons of the Ameri-
can Revolution.
Presentation of Colors,
The program was opened with in
vocation by Lieut.. Col. Thomas j.
Dickson, chaplain-in-ch of the
Military Order of the World War,
after which the three societies partici-
pated in the presentation of colors.
with the Marine Band playing THE
Stars and Stripes Forever" as an ac-
compartment.
Other features were reading from
Arthur Deertng Call of the Sons of
the American Revolution; recitation
of the Allegiance to the Flag" by
the assemblage, led by Miss Anna Joy
Linton of the Wakefield Chapter.
Children of the American Revolution.
and reciting THE Americans Greed,
led by Eugene Hamley of the Gov.
Thomas Wells Chapter, c. A. r.
Vocal solos were rendered by Mrs.
Ruby Smith Stahl. and the Marine
Band played THE Star Spangled Ban
ner' and other patriotic numbers.
The Daughters OF the American
Revolution formally presented a medal
won by Miss Helen Mcclellan, stu
sity, for submitting the best essay on
an historical event, the presentation
being by Mrs. John NJ. Beavers, vice
president general of the National So
ciety, Daughters of the American
Revolution. Miss Mcclellan was I'M
able to be present and the medal was
sent to her. A benediction by Rev.
John c. Palmer, pastor of the Wash
ington Heights Presbyterian Church,
concluded the program, following the
singing of America.
Personnel of Committees.
The joint committee on arrange
ments was composed of Mrs. Wiley,
D. A. r.. chairman: William A. Mill
or, S. A. R., secretary, and Mrs. Lisle
6. Lipscomb, d. A. R., treasurer
Capt. Albert J. Gore, S. A. r., was
marshal, assisted by James c. Nc
Grew. Special committees represent
ing the three societies were as fol-
lows:
From the District of Columbia So
ciety of the Daughters OF the Ameri.
can Revolution, Mrs. John NJ. Beavers,
Miss Lillian Chenoweth, Mrs. William
B. Hardy, Mrs. Lisle S. Lipscomb,
Mrs. William s. Parks and Mrs.
James nj. Wiley; from the District
OF Columbia Society of the Sons of
the American Revolution, Selden NJ
Ely, DIR. Mark F. Finley, Col. Alonzo
Gray, William A. Miller, Frederick D.
Owen and William S. Parks: from the
Children of the American Revolution,
Mrs. E. L. Morrison and Mrs. Josiah
A. Van Orsdel
DR.. Mark r. Finley, s. A. r.. was
chairman of the reception committee:
Mrs. William s. Parks, D. A r., vice
G. A. r., second vice chairman.
Others members were:
From d. A. r.. Mrs. Gaius M. Brum-
sbaugh, Mrs. David d. Caldwell, Miss
Harriet NJ. Chase, Miss Hilda Fetch
er. Mrs. Constance Goodman, Mrs.
Frank f. Greenwalt, Mrs. Howard l..
Hodgkins. Mrs. Charlotte E. Main,
Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey, Miss Vir-
ginia Price, Mrs. Charles w. Richard
son, Mrs. Frank T. ShuIl, Mrs. Frances
A. st. Clair, Mrs. George T. Smallwood
and Mrs. Harry H. thompson. from
S. A. R., K. B. Baldwin, Wilbur Fiske
Dales, Harry H. Davis. DR.. Ira w.
Dennison, Robert II. Dodson, f. A,
Eernaid, John T. Finley, H. P Gerald
Maj. A. M. Holcombe, w. Seton Kent,
Robert L. McKeever, John Seward
DIR. Andrew Stewart and J. Med. Stew
art; from c. A. r., Mrs. Howard L.
Bishop. Mrs. Alfred Garges, Mrs
James II. Harper, Mrs. George Hillyer
Mrs. Jean Labat, Mrs. Franklin Little
Mrs. j. Leslie Watson and Mrs. Joseph
Wheat.