Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-22
CC1,?|TAL HONORS
n FIRST PRESIDENT
Patriotic Societies Unite in
/ Observing Anniversary of
Is WaShington'S Birth.

Continued From First Page)
Rad Hall here formed the principal civic
celebration in the Capital Through
arrangements with Lieut. Col. u. S.
Grant, Sd, director of the Office of
Public Buildings and Public Parks, ar
rangements had been made for the
placing of wreaths up to noon at the
base of the Washington Monument.
The great shaft was the scene of pill
grimages by patriotic, fraternal and
civic groups Other pilgrims made the
trip over the Virginia hills to Mount
Vernon, home and resting place of the
first President. Included among these
Were nearly 1000 Boy Scouts. who took
part in a ceremony before Washington
Tomb. Richard p. Cleveland, son of
honor.
Patriotic Societies Celebrate.
Joining in the main celebration this
morning we're members of the District
of Columbia Society Sons of the Anert-
can Revolution and the Sons of the
Revolution in the District Of Column
bia With them met the Daughters of
the American Revolution and the
Children of the American Revolution.
Senator Simeon D. FesS of Ohio made
the Grafton. AS chairman of the Com
mission for the Bicentennary ObServ-
ance of Washington's birth, Senator
Iess outlined plans for this demonstra-
ton in 1882, which he declared would
be the greatest in history 1t was the
first time since 1925 that such joint
exercises had been held in memory OF
Washington.
One Of the interesting features of the
program was the reading OF letter
from Sir Esme Howard, retiring British
Ambassador, who was unable to attend
and speak as he had done previously
during his years in Washington, be-
cause he sailed from New York this
morning. The letter. dated January s,
was addressed to Col. AlonZo Gray OF
the Sons of the American Revolution,
who is chairman of the joint commit
tee on arrangements. The Ambassador
referred to his regret at not being able
to Join in celebrating the memory OF
the father of the American Republic
and one of the greatest men in the
history of the world"
His letter read as follows:
MY dear Col. Gray: I am writing to
thank you for your letter of December
80 last. in which you were good enough
to invite me to be the guest Of the
combined societies of the Sons. Daugh-
tiers and Children of the American Rev.
olution at the memorial exercises to be
held on February % next. much re-
gret that I shall be retiring from the
diplomatic service and sailing for Eng
land on that date, so I shall not be
able on this occasion to accept the very
kind invitation extended to me. My
successor, Sir Ronald Lindsay, will not
arrive until later. At the same time,
should be glad if you would convey to
the combined societies my most hearty
greetings and my regrets that can
not be with them this year to celebrate
the memory of the father of the Amer
lean Republic and one Of the greatest
men in the history of the world.
Yours very truly.
"EsME HOWARD"
Leads S. A. r. Exercises.
Col. Gray presided in his capacity as
president of the District of Columbia,
S. A R., and the exercises were opened
by Col. Thomas J. Dickson, wartime
chaplain of the LIST Division.
With the Marine Band Orchestra
playing THE Star Spangled Banner"
and other patriotic airs and men of the
1st Battalion. 18th Field Artillery, from
Fort Myer, Va, acting as ushers in
Continental uniform, the exercises we're
as colorful as they were inspiring. The
massing of the colors under supervision
of G. Y. Latimer with guard Of Min
ute Men was feature.
Thomas Welles Society. Children of the
American Revolution. led the audience
in the pledge of allegiance to the flag
and the Americans Creed" also was
recited
Then followed greetings from Ken
meth S. Wales, vice president Of the
National Society, Sons of the American
Revolution; Mrs. Percy E. Quin. presi-
dent of the National Society. Children
of the American Revolution; DR.. Thomas
E. Green, president Sons of the Revo-
luton in the District of Columbia, and
Mrs. Lowell Fletcher Hobart, president
general Daughters of the American
Revolution.
Commissioner Proctor L. DoughertY
voiced the greetings on behalf of the
District government and was followed
by John Paul Ernest, who read some
of George Washington's historic mes
sages.
After Senator Fess made his address,
two gold medals were awarded in keep
ing with an annual custom to the win
ners in historical contests. To Murray
Bernhard Of Eastern High School was
presented the award of the Society of
the Sons of the Revolution in the Dis
trict for the best essay on Contribution
of Massachusetts, to War of Revolution"
Representative Edith n Rogers of Mas
sachusetts made the presentation.
ID. A. r. Medal Awarded.
Miss Elizabeth Drewry of George
Washington University was awarded the
medal of the District of Columbia So
ciety, D. A. r., for the best essay sub
Ynitted in a contest on American his
tory. Mrs. David D. Caldwell pre-
scented it.
The exercises closed with a bene-
diction by Rev. DR.. Edmund A. Walsh
S. j., vice president of Georgetown
University and regent of the Foreign
Service School.
Elsewhere in the city. at Arlington
SPECIAL NOTICES.