Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-25
CAPITAL boy Wins !.
LABORATORY TITLE
Edmund GuIIion Is First Prize
Winner in National
Contest.
Continued Prom First Page.)

Continued From First Page.)
bered from their seats In the audi
forum. The lads hand was wr,ing by
enthusiastic congratulations. In the
midst Of this happy demonstration, Gull
lion bowed graciously to each friend who
greeted him. Virtually torn from the
crowd by anxious photographers, the
victorious orator was rushed to an ante
room where flashlights doomed the
pictorial record Of Gullions winning
smile. Meanwhile, there was clamor
at the door as scores Of young people
mostly girls--sought to get Gullion's
autograph on their programs. In the
excitement, Gullion paused to pay
tribute to the people who had helped
him in his training for last nights
test.
Thanks Friends for Aid.
IT am mighty happy. I guess that's
apparent. But there's another contest
coming in which want to do my best, u
Guliion said, in reference to the inter-
national contest next Fall. He added:
There were kind people who helped
me prepare for the present test, and
would like them to know that I appre-
ciate everything they did for me. Miss
Isabel Pickett and Miss Blanche Lewis
teachers at Western, you know, worked
very patiently with me, and so die
Denis Connell, the actor" 1t was ex-
planned for Gullion that Miss Pickett
the teacher of history, and Miss Lewis
instructor in English, trained him ir
oratory at their homes many evenings
Speaking Of the international contest
Gullion said:
CAS- far as my preparation for thai
contest goes, mean to put IN q rev
more flowers and firebrands in my
speech in order to compete with the
fiery Latins who will share the program
with me. Before doing that, however
I mean to get my mind on oratory anc
speech-making. and get the. most out
Of the European trip which Is the best
part Of the awards"
! wilbur Stresses Oratory Importance.
Randolph Leigh, director general Of
the National and International Ora
torical contests, who opened the meet
ing, introduced John Hays Hammond
noted engineer and honorary president
Of the Constitution Club. comprised Of
National Oratoricai Contest participants
Mr.. Hammond in turn presented DR.
Ray Lyman Wilbur, Secretary OF thu
Interior, who reviewed the Importance
Of oratory in it's various phases TO TN
development of civilization. He de-
clared that even before hieroglyphics
and the Babylonian tablets the Spoken
word was the principal basis Of human
contact. He traced the development
Of speech, citing Its power In con-
trolling human development. The Sec
retary's speech in full Is printed else
where in today's Star.
The five boy contestants presented
manly appearance in evening 1y',,, clothes !.
Turner of Louisville, KY, who scarcely
reached the shoulders Of his fellow
orators. Miss Lourene Mokstad, tn,
Chicago entrant. appeared In an orchit
gown, while Miss Gloria Gulager o.
Muskogee, Okla, wore green.
Explains Change in Contest.
Before introducing the speakers Mr.
Leigh explained the change In the con
test brought about by the extempo
He pointed out that contestants wert
to stop instantly upon expiration Of TIT
allotted time In both the six-minut'
prepared grafton and the four rninutt
extemporaneous address.
Vernon Lawrence Withuhn OF Seattle
Wash, the first. contestant. Launched
into a speech on John Marshall ant
the Constitution" AS he started Il
speak watches Of the two timekeeper!
clicked. These officials were Maj. Gen
Amos A. Fries, U. s. A., retired. ane
Rear Admiral William H. STANDBY, U
S. N.
withuhn spoke for minutes ant
IS seconds. On conclusion Of his ad'
dress he was handed a slip of paper
bearing the subject Of his extemporane.
Gus speech by Mr.. Leigh and retired tr
preparation for the test to come
Withuhn, tall and slender, impressed
his audience with his deep, resonan'
voice. His delivery was expressive
through easy gesture and excellent con-
troll.
Springfield Boy Dramatic Speaker.
The second speaker, Edmond D
Bernard Of Springfield, Mass, presented
different stage personality. He spoke
with more dramatic effort and forced
into his voice an emotional pitch. fol
which withuhn did not strive. Bernard
spoke on 1.-THE Origins OF the Constitu-
tion," In his 6-minute prepared speech
He pronounced the last word OF his
grafton just as the whistle announced
expiration Of his time limit.
The third orator was Edmund Gull
lion, Washington's own Western High
School contender for the national
championship. More the debater, force.
,fully driving home point after point
with eloquent clearness and excellent
diction, than a speaker presenting .
subject for admiration and OF rever-
ence, Gullion held his audience silent
and attentive.
The work he has done since he wor
the championship of this area in Thu
Star finals was apparent in his stage
manner, expressive and effective with
frequent gestures. He spoke for min.
utes and 81 seconds before he retired
with his new subject to prepare for the
extemperaneous speech.
Young Turner, the Louisville entry
appeared as child beside Gullion,
young man of average height, as thu
fourth speaker. Despite his size, the
: Southerner spoke In voice which
reached to the farthest corner of the
great hall. He spoke for S minutes arlc
4s seconds on The Citizen: HIS Priv
| leges and Duties Under the Constitu-
| ton" His delivery was rapid and hi
| enunciation clear.
Like Man, Like State" was the un-
usual subject Of Seymour M. Peyser, the
| fifth orator. This New York City en-
trant began his address with a familiar
air that seemed to take the audience
| into his confidence. He was the speaker
| explaining his subject In calm, de-
Lucrative tone, rather than q fiery
orator seeking to enthrall and sway q
body Of men and women. Even his
gestures were explanatory.
Girls Last TO Speak.
Peyser, sturdily built, and seeming
more polished in his attitude than any
OF the other boys who participated n
| the contest, spoke for minutes and rs
| seconds.
The two girls were last on the pro.