Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-22
WASHINGTON PAID
HONOR BY CAPITAL
City Unites in Observance of
18TH Birthday An
niversary.

The National Capital paused today In
preparations to salute the advent of a
new President 10 days hence while its
citizens united in honoring the memory
of George Washington, the first Presi-
dent, and in observing with hitting cere-
monies the .197th anniversary Of his
birth.
Patriotic exercises held throughout the
city and in. Alexandria were featured
by great municipal observance at
Polls Theater, IN which % different
societies, headed by the District Com
missioners.. joined in paying homage
this morning 10 the national hero, who
is revered as the Father Of His Coun-
try. Former Senator James Hamil-
ton Lewis of Illinois was the orator.
Continuing throughout the afternoon
the city-wide observance. will culminate
tonight at 8 o'clock in the Washington
Auditorium, where President Coolidge,
making his last public speech before
his retirement on March 1, will address
unseen millions over Nationwide radio
hook-up, at the Midwinter convocation
of George Washington University.
Practically every civic, religious and
fraternal organization took part In cele-
brating the national holiday, jointly or
in separate programs Significant of the
anniversary. grand masters of the Ma
sonic order over the United States
gathered in Alexandria, where the
George Washington Masonic National
Memorial Association hastened its plans
to complete the mammoth memorial
on Shooters Hill, Alexandra, in honor
of Washington, the Mason" Other
Masonic delegates gathered at National
Museum, then went to the washington
Monument during the morning to pay
tribute from the ranks of Free
Masonry.
Congress in Session.
Both houses Of Congress remained
in session today, however, although all
executive departments and most of the
business houses of the city were closed
Facing crowded legislative calendars
with adjournment son ear, Congress at
tended to its duties as usual, In the
Senate the legislative procedure was
suspended while Senator James A. Reed
OF Missouri read Washington's farewell
address, and In the House members
listened to an Grafton by Representative
James M Beck Of Pennsylvania.
Outstanding among the. early civic
celeprations was the program of the
association Of Oldest Inhabitants at
noon In the First Congregational Church.
at which Senator Bark1ey of Kentucky
was the principal speaker: the celebrity
breakfast OF the National League of
american Pen Women at the Willard
Hotel and the joint exercises OF the
daughters of the American Revolution.
the Sons of the American Revolution
and the Children OF the American
revolution in Memorial Continental
Hall. Maj. Gen. Charles p. Summerall
chief OF staff of the United States
Army was the guest of the Pen Women
and spoke on The Key to Washing
TONS Greatness" topic chosen es-
pecialiy for the occasion.
Mount Vernon Is Mecca.
Sir Esme Howard, the British Ambas-
sador to the United States, and Senator
Samuel M. Shortridge of California
were the speakers at patriotic exercises
In Memorial Continental Hall
Mount Vernon was the Mecca Of pill
grims throughout the day. Delegates
from 10 States attending the annual
meeting OF the Grand Council, Order
OF De Molay, and group of $500 Boy
scouts. under the general supervision
OF z. L: Mattice assistant to the Scout
Continued on Papa~5 CoIunn ~