The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-07

WaSnlngtOn.-SlA nun0reu tnou- sand (600,00) George Washington Bicentennial committees, devoted to honoring Washington in as many ways as they can think of in every town and crossroads during the nine-months celebration next year, is one aim of the Bicenten- nial Commission here.
 The commission is a barrage of questionnaires, pep letters, George Washington literature and celebra- tion programs at 49,000 postmas- ters, 10000 city officials, 232,000 churches, 190,0O0 fraternal, civic and patriotic societies, 256,00O school buildings, 1000 farm groups and so on. It is trying to get them all card-indexed and to see that they get organized.
 More than 5000 city and town committees already are formed, plus the committees for all states and territorial possessions. The municipal or village committees are the important ones and they coordinate the work of the minor committees. Over 5000 letters a day now leave the national Bi- centennial offices here, but that's only a starter and 1t doesn't count a great tonnage of literature. post CTS and other ballyhoo.
 Congressman Sol Bloom, the di- rector, began by sending a long questionnaire to more than 49,OOO federal postmasters. He demanded the population, names of the mayor and the most prominent citizens, names and presidents of all amuse- ment parks, civic and patriotic or ganizations, social clubs, names of all churches and their pastors, all school groups, bar associations. mems fraternal societies, women's groups and automobile associa- tions.
 The Bicentennial Commission is trying to organize people for this celebration by groups of tens of millions. For instance, they expect O,OOO,0OO members fraternal and patriotic bodies to take an active part. And at least 10.000,000 boy and girl members of All clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Y. w. c. A. and other junior organizations.
 Then it adds up all the church members and says they will active ly participate, too. Finally 1t takes the entire population of the coun- try and asserts that all but those who are hopelessly bedridden will attend some ceremony, pageant. service or special exercise in honor of George Washington at some time during the celebration period. Shut-ins will get 1t by radio.
 There's no space to tell about the prolonged national Bicenten- nial sports program, the Bicenten- n.al cherry blossm fete in April, the Bicentennial marathon to he run from Mount Vernon to the Monument with detours to his- toric points," the Fourth of Juyl celebration which will center around the Declaration of Inde- pendence up at the Library of congress, Lafayette Day when 5000 visiting French veterans will march in a huge veterans parade, Fraternal Day in October when all American fraternal groups hold a big ceremonial here, Columbus Day and another large pageant, Armis- tice Day here under American Legion supervision with pilgrim ages from everywhere. or Farmers Day, Nov 19. when the national farm organizations will stage festi- vals and a national harvest demonstrations. Or about the vari- ous state day celebrations. ob- serving anniversaries of independ- ence or admission to the Union. But they do say that more than | 800, 900 Masons will be in this vic- inity for the dedication of the George Washington Masonic Me- morial at Alexandria from May g to IS. And no week will go by when some national organization