Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-17
George Washington Bicentennial.

DEFINITE organization OF the Nation
wide celebration of the bicentennial
of George Washington's birth in 1882
has been effected by the commission
created by act Of Congress. Lieut.. Col.
Q. S. Grant, Sd, U. S. A., and Repre-
sentative Sol Bloom of New York have
been named associate directors to work
together with joint authority to CO.
ordinate the activities of the States and
the communities in consistent, COM
prehensive program of observ1nces to
commemorate the anniversary.
These two selections are exceptional
in excellence. Col. Grant is an executive
oficer of unusual ability. He is the d.
rector of public buildings and public
parks in Washington and is the execu-
tive secretary of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission. Repre-
sentative Bloom has had q long and
intimate and successful experience in
the organization and direction of vari-
Gus forms of public entertainment, ex-
positions, shows and theaters. He has
an extensive acquaintance with the per-
sonnet of the entertainment world.
The general plan is that the hicen-
tenary of George Washington's birth
viii be marked Throughout the United
States by public demonstrations and
observances and displays from February
az, 1882, until Thanksgiving day, q
period of nine months, during which
there will be in one part Of the coun-
try or another q virtually continuous
celebration. The States will organize
and direct their own programs, but
these programs viii be co-ordinated In
harmonious sequence and character.
Patriotic societies, business organiza-
lions, conventions, all conceivable
gatherings of the people for whatever
purpose will be held or be marked by
special George Washington meetings,
and memorial and historical expressions.
Pageants will be conducted in the cities.
Through the radio the Republics found
er viii be continually brought to the
minds of the people by speech and song.
Talking pictures will reproduce scenes
from the life of Washington, TO be kept
as permanent records and sources of
perennial reproduction.
The direction Of all this win center
in Washington, which, it is indicated.
win have its own special George WASH
inzton celebration Of Q nature to COM
mand national attention and to make
record Of public expression not hereto
fore equaled. Certain specific features
are now in contemplation, the dedica-
ton of the Mount Vernon Boulevard.
the Arlington Memorial Bridge, and of
the George Washington Masonic Me-
mortal at Alexandria. Completion of
these three great works, It is hoped,
will be effected by 1892.
Commemoration Of this bicentenary
viii be upon purely patriotic basis.
There will be no commercializing fea-
lures, no shows" for the advancement
Of trade or the promotion of local in
terests. The services of those engaged
will be voluntary, without compensa-
ton. Only thus will it be worthy of
the occasion and worthy Of the Ameri-
can people The associate directors are
inspired by this ideal to make the
observance of the 2ooth anniversary of
George Washington's birth a fun, sin
cere and in itself inspiring expression
Of the reverence in which the name of
the first President is held by the Nation.