Evening star., 1928-05-27
KENTUCK|AN WINS
FINAL IN NATIONAL
ORATORY CONTEST
James R. Moore Declared
Champion of U. S. by
Unanimous Vote.
NORQUIST is SECOND;
C. J. OLSON RATED THIRD
More Than $500 Attend Forensic
Contest-Musical Program
Is Presented.

James Rayborn Moore OF Somerset
| Ky, last night was proclaimed cham
pion high school orator of the United
States in the Fifth National Oratorica,
Contest finals. staged in elaborate set
ting at the Washington Auditorium
Eighteen years old and Of aristocratiC
bearing the entrant from the Southern
zone in the Nationwide forensic compe-
tition, rode triumphantly over the field
of six other ccntenders for national
honors to a clear-cut decision from the
four justices of the Supreme Court OF
the United States, who acted as judges
of the meet, and who determined the
victor on their first ballot and without
consultation.
With the other five defeated orators
Benjamin Earl Hinden, representative
of The Star, was submerged by the
rapid-fire oratory of the young South
erner. There were others on the pro-
gram, however, who Jared better in the
rating of the judges than did the Gen.
trail High School boy.
Norquist Wins Second Honors.
Elliot Norauist of Kansas City, Mo,
champion of the Southwestern zone,
was adiudged winner of second honors
bv the Judges. and announced as Of
fetal alternate to Moore in the forth
coming international meet. Charles j.
Olson of Worcester, Mass, champion of
the Northwestern zone, received the
votes of the board of judges for third
place.
Opened at $50 o'clock by Randolph
Leigh, director general of the contest
institution, the finals last night con-
stituted the foremost function OF the
high school scholastic year in the
Nation. It was a meet In which oratory
was couched in art, fostered by men
prominent in the affairs Of the Govern
ment the orators extolled, and attended
by an audience which exceeded $500
persons.
A concert of popular airs had been
presented by the United States Marine
Band Orchestra during the 40-minute
period preceding the contest proper, and
at 500 o'clock the vast halls lights
were dimmed and the band, under the
direction OF Capt. Taylor Branson,
broke into the strains of "The Battle
Hymn of the Republic" Reinald Wer-
ranrath entered the stage to stand in
darkness while he sang to the bands
accompaniment. Behind him the cur
tains parted and slowly a perturbation
of a battlefield with the Goddess OF
Freedom and dying soldiers slowly came
into view 10 illustrate the song.
At the conclusion Of the opening
presentation Mr.. Leigh took the stage
to present Secretary of Commerce
Hoover, who delivered the formal ad-
dress
THE name of Herbert Hoover" Mr..
Leigh declared, lis sufficient 70 identify
the man without ornamentation any
where in the United States today. !
shall simply remark, therefore, that this
is the climax of the Fifth National
Oratorical Contest and we are to have
the privilege now OF hearing Mr..
Hoover"
The Secretary rose TO tremendous
ovation. When the applause suhsided
address.
Secretary H0over'S Address.
Citing the National Oratorical Contest
as an institution OF tremendous propor-
tions through the rapid expansion OF
its contestant field from 5000 TO 2,000,-
900 high school students, Mr.. Hoover
viewed IL as witness for the defense
of modern youth and vehicle for the
promotion of healthy nationaliSm as
opposed to internationalism
Secretary Hoover said that since 1t
generally had been assumed that the
study of the mechanics Of government
could be OF genuine concern only to
adults, the contest comes as refresh
ing proposal that government Is a
vital problem TO youth.
ITO have heard so much about the
tazziness. the frivolity. the irresponsi-
bility Of modern youth" the Secretary
declared, this movement should cause
adults TO pause a moment and consider
whether they have not done the youth
OF today much injustice.
This movement could not have at
tanned It's present proportions In five
years, or In rs years II our young peo-
pie were really as lightheaded as some
OF their critics would make us believe
doubt very seriously that It could have
fiourished at all some 80 or 40 years
ago, when the present-day critics oi
youth themselves were young.
Comments On Change.
Indeed It's success emphasizes the
tremendous change that has come with
In a few generations Youth today Is
pulling at the traces as never before. II
Is true. but is also willing To really pull
load It's eagerness contains more
earnest desire than ever before. Youth
IL more sure OF itself-~surer. perhaps
than al any time IN the worlds history
but 1t Is a surcness that carries with
IL determination 10 justify itself"
Mr. Hoover explained 10 the audience
that the winner OF last nights contest
would represent the United States IL
| the Third international Oratorica
Contest here next Fall, and he said.
1.-THE contest In It's international
phase is built upon the solid principle
that the best foundation OF interna-
! L(,nnIinned on paRe q CnIiirnn 1 i