Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-29

Upper: Miss Ruth Goldberg Of East
ern High School, and
Lower: Miss Mary Eugenia Hardy Of
the TakOma- Silver Spring High School.
honors with a keen grafton on 1.-THE
Constitutions Guarantee of Liberty
| to the Individual" Goodkowitz's speech
was more than laudatory recitation
of the Constitutions merits; 1t was that
and at the same time 1t was an indict-
ment of present-day citizenship. which,
he said, is unwilling to retain the liber-
ties guaranteed by the Constitution.
He cited evidences of what he believes
to be Americans shortcomings In the
enjoyment of their liberties, naming
specifically court injunctions preventing
strikes, attempts to eliminate parochial
schools, the existence OF blue laws and
the more or less successful activities
| OF "self-appointed reformers." He ex-
pressed doubt that II the Constitution
admirable as 1t was framed, were re-
written today, 1t would be written in
the spirit of liberality which makes
it great instrument. guaranteeing lib
erty to individuals. Besides possessing
| a speech unique and thoughtful in con-
tent, Goodkowitz used a brand of ora
tory that was animated without being
too pressing and commanding.
The first contestant on Eastern's pro-
gram was Miss Rose Cohen, who spoke
on THE CitiZen-His Privileges and
Duties" Like the winner, Miss Cohen's
voice was low pitched and mellow
Her oratory was conversational, COM
polling In its sincerity and unconfused
in its splendid order. Gestures were
few, and 1t was after she had passed
the middle of her Grafton that Miss
Cohen first lifted her hands from her
sides to lend emphasis to point she
wished to drive home.
Miss Clara T. Critchfie1d, speaking
also on THE Citizen-His Privileges
and Duties" presented direct appeal
for good citizenship. Her oratory was
distinctly feminine and her gestures
were active and numerous.
Charles William Hart, son of Charles
Hart, principal of the school, was the
fifth orator to make his stand for VIC
tory. Speaking on THE Constitution
in the Daily Life of the Individual"
Hart took his text from the daily news
reports of what citizens actually are
doing. He cited the so-called crime
wave and the tendency toward disre-
gard of certain laws In his review of the
behavior of men today. His speech
breathed Of timeliness, it was original
in thought, and 1t stamped this 14-year-
old lad, who still has another year in
| high school, as an orator of whom next
years contestants might well be wary
The concluding speech was that of
Leonard Minkoff, who spoke on THE
influence of the President Upon Legis-
lation." 1t was an Grafton which be-
spoke comprehensive knowledge of
Presidents and their characteristics.
Like Hart, Minkoff is not to be grad
uated this year, but he still has two
years at Eastern, and 1t Is at once APP
parent that that school is not even
approaching dearth of orators to fight
for It's future forensic laurels.
The Eastern finals were conducted
under the auspices of the schools Home
and School Association and Arthur
Bishop, president was chairman Of the
contest. The judges were j. o. Malott
of the Bureau OF Education, j. Grin
Powers OF the George Washington Uni
versity faculty, and DR. Leo Behrendt of
the Catholic University faculty. The
program was completed with orchestral
selections by the Eastern High School
oiCACotid, uAucI LIE uMcCtlUIk u MIS-.
c. v. Bryan, and with several members
by the schools Glee Club A motion
picture play was presented following
the contest.
Graceful delivery and control of every
gesture and infection carried Miss Mary
Eugenia Hardy, representing the
Takoma Silver Spring High School, to
victory In the fifth and final group"
meet Of the Maryland district in the
| Hyattsville High School last night.
The 16-year-old daughter of Mrs.
Susanna S. Hardy of Silver Spring
spoke on THE Origins OF the Consti-
tuition" and was, selected for first
honors by board of judges compris-
| Agriculture College, University of Mary
| land DR.. w. Allen Griffith of Berwyn,
c. A. Cary OF Riverdale and Frank M.
Lemon, professor of English, University
of Maryland.
Second place was awarded to Miss
Mary Payne, also Is, the daughter Of
MIR. and MRS. j. T. Payne, Wells
avenue, Hyattsville, whose topic was
Personalities of the Constitutional
Convention" After the Hyattsville
High School Orchestra had furnished
the opening selection on the program.
the meet got off to "peppy" start
with series of school yells under the
direction of student cheer leaders.
Noted Absence Of Boys.
H. H. Cotterman of the department
of education of the University of Mary
land. who presided, noted the all too
obvious absence of boys among the con-
testants of the evening in his opening
remarks. In a brief resume Of the
purpose of the contests he declared the
oratory displayed in them was yearly
becoming of an improved quality. He
first presented Miss Payne, home girl
of the evening, who received enough
applause support" to win the national
contest.
Replying on clear, Unconditional ex-
position of her subject rather than on
a more animated type of oratory, Miss
Payne, quoting historical authorities ex-
tensively, portrayed the outstanding
personalities of the constitutional con-
vention in a manner most effective.
Apparently very much at home on the
platform, Miss Payne spoke slowly, In
high, even tone that carried with
unmistakable clearness throughout the
hall. Toward the end she had an I'M
expected obbligatO in the form of a