Evening star., 1928-11-18
GRANGE MEN VISIT
WASHINGTON TOMB
Memorial Service and Pill
grimage to Rock Creek Ceme-
terry on Today'S Program.

After devoting yesterday to ritualistit
ceremonies and pilgrimage to Noun;
Vernon to honor the memory of George
Washington, most illuStrious of Ameri-
can farmers, the six or seven Thousand
men and women attending the sixty
second annual session of the National
Grange here, planned to attend church
services and the annual memorial serv-
ice of the order and to go on pil"
grimage to Rock Creek Cemetery where
some of the founders OF the grange are
buried.
The National Grange of today Is
an outgrowtl1 of Potomac Grange, No.
first organization of its kind, which was
formed in this city in 1858
Several thousand of the grangers.
including the national officers, went TO
Mount Vernon yesterday afternoon,
some on the steamboat Charles Mac
aiester, some In motor buSses and some
In private motor cars They were
welcomed on their arrival by members
of Mount Vernon Grange, No. ISL,
composed entirely of farmers who now
reside on land which was formerly a
part of George Washington's estate.
Short Welcome Address.
Harvey Clapp of Woodlawn. Va, son
Of former Senator Clapp of Minnesota,
delivered short address of welcome
and the response was made by Louis j
Taber of Columbus, Ohio. master of the
National Grange. George C. GilIing-
ham, master of the Mount Vernon
Grange. was In general charge of the
ceremonies.
Both Mr.. Taber and Mr.. Clapp in
their addresses referred to George
dignity and Importance of the agricul-
tural industry.
The welcoming ceremonies took place
on the terrace in front of the Mount
Vernon mansion. They were followed
by tour of the estate and the placing
of a wreath on Washington's tomb by
National Master Taber.
Most of the thousands of Grangers
who made the Mount Vernon Pilgrim
age were disappointed when 1t was
learned that a pageant. with the per.
formers in colonial costume, had been
abandoned. AT first 1t was reported
that this was done because of objections
BY persons in charge of the estate, but
later Mfr. Clapp explained to The Star
that the Mount Vernon Grange had not
had time TO prepare for the pageant.
Delay in Opening Gates.
There was a hitch and considerable
delay according to Mr.. Taber, before
permission was granted to open the
gates Of the tomb to allow the wreath
to be placed.
Il do not want to blame anybody,
and there may have been a good reason
for the delay" Mr.. Taber said later,
"but it looked for time as if we would
not be allowed to place our wreath on
the tomb of the most famous of Ameri-
can farmers and the man who Is the
ideal of Our order, as we'll as of all other
patriotic Americans, When we had in
sisted rather strenuously the gates we're
unlocked and the wreath was put in
place on the tomb with appropriate
ceremony"
The pilgrimage TO Rock Greek Gem.
terry will be made at 2 pm. today.
Four Of the original seven founders of
the Grange are buried In Washington
cemeteries. The tomb of Oliver Hudson
Kelley, originator Of the Grange idea
and the activating spirit Of the order
in its early days, is located = In Rock
Greek Cemetery The upkeep of this
tomb Is the special duty OF Potomac
Grange No. l, h this city. W
The business sessions Of the Grange
WAL hCGAA tOuiOEAQW AlOLLLtklke dLlQ lhEt
until the final session Friday after
noon Various resolutions, dealing with
all sorts Of subjects from prohibition to
matters of special interest TO- farmers,
will be debated and disposed of at
these sessions.
Entertainment Arranged.
Besides business sessions many social
functions and other affairs have been
arranged for the entertainment Of the
thousands of Grangers In the city.
The Grange officers will attend the
morning service at the Metropolitan
Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church
In body this morning Tonight at 8
o'clock In the large ballroom of the
willard Hotel National Chaplain W..
w. Deal of Idaho will have charge of
the annual memorial service of the
order.
The "a voting delegates, men and
women, will be the guests at o luncheon
given jointly tomorrow at 1890 pm.
In the auditorium of the National Press
Club by the Monday Lunch Club, COM
posed Of secretaries Of national organ
izations with headquarters in this city,
and the Tuesday Lunch Club, composed
Of representatives Of farm organizations,
heads Of divisions of the Department OF
Agriculture and others interested In
farming.