Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-11
HITS EXPLOITATION
OF MOTHERS DAY
Miss Jarvis, Founder of OBJ
servance, Addresses Ma
rines at Quantico.

While hundreds visited Arlington Ma
tional Cemetery yesterday afternoon to
pay tribute to the mother of the IN
known Soldier, the Marines at Quantico,
Va, were acting as hosts to the woman
whose efforts back in 1914 made possible
the observance of Mothers day through
out the country,
Headed by Mrs. Virgil Mcclure. presi-
dent of the American War Mothers. was
the first to place wreath on the tomb
in Arlington in commemoration of the
unknown mother" of the World War
and tributes we're paid by Mrs. Ruth
Bryan Owen, Representative from
Florida Representative Sol Bloom OF
New York and others at impressive
services.
millions in Flowers"
1t was at the Marine base, however,
that Miss Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia,
Mothers day founder, took part In
simple program and after the meeting
deplored Mothers day exploitation
throughout the country.
"They say a million dollars worth OF
flowers are sold for this day, MISS
Jarvis said. Il never thought 1t would
mean that.
But even stranger than CONNER
cialization by tradeSmen is that the
public has allowed professional welfare
workers to exploit its sentiment 1or
motherhood in manner in when l
never dreamed. I am dismayed. l de-
More particularly that committees of
prominent men and women have COM
mercialized this day in the name oil
needy mothers"
About 400 Marines and their families
participated in the service. Chaplain
w. r. Hall invited Miss JARVIS to JOIN
them as they assembled and sang. She
greeted the sea soldiers with smile
and a word of qualification because they
were remembering their mothers. The
chaplain's wife sang Home, sweet
Home" and a male quartet led the sing
ing. The chaplain preached on the
theme that there should be mutual ef-
fort by son and mother 10 De WofIly
of each other.
This was the kind OF observance /
thought Of" Miss Jarvis said later. Il
wanted a time set aside when every
body could praise his mother as long
as he pleased and not fear others would
think him q bore wanted to focus
attention at once on the unrecognized
service that mothers do. wanted chill
dren to write home. I wanted them TO
wear a flower or recognize the symbol
worn by some one who had one-not to
buy one from a profiteer.
Meanwhile. at Arlington and In va
.rious churches throughout the city
homage OF the kind that the founder of
Mothers day had in mind when she
petitioned Congress was being paid.
Mai. Gen. John L. De Witt, quarter
master general of the Army told the
Gold Star Mothers at Arlington about
the pilgrimage to the graves OF sons
in France now being made for the sec
ond time by American mothers. Greet
ings we're extended at the services
through Mrs. Mcclure. The soldier who
sounded Taps at the burial of the
Unknown Soldier, Staff Sergt. Frank
Witchey, Sd. United States Cavalry,
sounded them yesterday for the I'm
known Mother"
Music was presented by the Marine
Band and solos by Robert E. Clark,
trombonist, and Miss Frances B. Cole.
Prayers were delivered by Capt. Sidney
Keys Evans chief of Navy chaplains
and Col. Julian e. Yates, chief OF Army
chaplains.
Mothers Dedicate Trees.
Following the Arlington services the
War Mothers dedicated trees in West
Potomac Park In recognition OF the
work of four past national presidents.
Mrs. Mcclure and Maj. Gen. Amos A.
Fries, retired, made addresses.
Those honored by trees were Mrs.
Alice M. French of Indianapolis, Ind,
the founder of the organization; Mrs.
Margaret Mcclure of Kansas City, Mo-;
Mrs. Mabel C. Digney- of White Plains,
NJ Y, and Mrs. Mary E. Spencer of
Milwaukee
Services in commemoration of Moth
er's day we're held for residents Of the
Y. M. c. A. The young men paid trib-
ute to their mothers at breakfast.