Evening star., 1929-12-04
GREAT FETE URGED
BY SENATOR FESS
2o0th Birthday Anniversary
of Gen. Washington Grips
Interestof Nation, He Says.

A nationwide celebration of the
20Oth anniversary of the birth of George
washington, eliminating on the birth
day of the First President in February,
1882, in Washington and extending
through every city and hamlet in the
United States, is urged by Senator
Simeon D. Fess of Ohio, in the first
part Of a paper printed in the current
issue Of the D. A. r. Magazine, dealing
with the plans of the washington Bi-
centennial Commission.
THE Official commission created by
an act of Congress has been at work
for four years receiving suggestions"
Senator FeSs. commission chairman,
says. The members of the commission
are convinced that there should and
Will be provided the greatest celebra
ton in the history of this or any other
country in honor of leader. Presi-
dent Coolidge delivered an address
which was call TO the Nation to get
ready for the event. Congress memo
rallied the States to create State COM
missions to direct the States part in
the celebration. Most Of the States
report a decision to properly observe
the anniversary in suitable commence
ration. The leaders Of the national in
its various activities have heartily in
dorsed the idea"
Washington and paying a tribute to
the wisdom of the man who was able
to combine in his first cabinet the lead
ers of two groups of disSimilar opin-
ionS-one in favor of centralized gov
eminent and the other in favor of local
elf-government-in the persons Of
Hamilton and Jefferson, Senator FeSs
outlines the main features of the bicen-
tennial celebration. Proposing that
each State hold a State celebration un-
der the direction of the governor or his
representatives he says: THE climax
will naturally be reached in the Capital
City which he founded.
Reading Course for Schools.
'The commission recommends that
the schools direct the pupils to course
of reading on Washington; that the
ministry call especial attention TO the
moral and intellectual qualities of Wash
ington; that the press conduct SYM
posiums on his life and character: that
public-spirited men offer prizes for the
best essays on the subject; that the va
rious associations of whatever character
devote part of their program in their
national conventions to the significance
of Washington in 1882.
1T would be an advantage if in the
years of 1880, 1891 or 1882 Washington
would be selected as the meeting place
of the national convention of each asso-
ciation of national significance. A visit
to Mount Vernon and II possible to
Wakefield should be a part of the pro-
gram of each convention. These three
years should be climax beginning with
February, 1880, with a pronouncement
of the President. broadcast over the
Nation and throughout the world. This
should be followed by preparation for
the more elaborate ohServances in 1881,
to insure by 1892 participation by every
channel of intelligence-the pulpit. ra-
dio station, motion picture house, school,
platform and every agency of public
education. BY 1881 the Nation. having
thought on Washington, should be
Washingt minded and ready to do
honor to his memory in 1892 as was
never done for any personality in secu-
lar history.
'"The year 1882 should witness a Sc
rieS of celebrations. A special COM
memoration program should be put on
at each place marked by an historic
event connected with Washington. Such
special celebrations would be held in
Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Tren-
ton, Cambridge, Yorktown, Pittsburgh,
etc. Each place bearing the name of