Evening star., 1932-06-04
SHEPHERD SCHOOL
DEDICATION HELD
Career of Last Governor of
Washington Is ExtoIIed
at Exercises.

ernor OF washington. was extolled as
a builder Of the National Capital, q
courageous citizen and a lover Of child
rem by speakers at the formal dedica-
ton Of the new Alexander Shepherd
streets last night
The dedication was marked by the
presentation of framed Photographic
portrait Of Gov. Sheperd by his son.
Alexander r. Sheperd, on behalf of
the Shepherd family.
George NJ. Whitwell. member OF the
| Board of Education, reviewed the per-
sonal life of Gov Shepherd while Lieut.
Col. U. S. Grant, Sd, director Of Pub
! lie Buildings and Public Parks in the
District of Columbia and a grandson
of President Grant, who appointed
Alexander Shepherd to the governor
ship Of the District, reviewed his Of
fetal life.
Fight to Recoup Fortune.
In his address, Mr.. Whitwell told
of Gov. Shepherds heroic efforts to
recoup a fortune lost during the finan-
cial crisis of 1873 by silver mining in
Mexico On the trip into the neigh
boring nation, Mr.. Whitwell said Shep-
herd and his family struggled against
the handicap CT primitive modes OF ira
vel. The family, he said. hoped to be
able to return to Washington in three
or four years, but actually they re-
mained there for % years until the
former Governor died. In Mexico the
school board member declared. MT:
Shepherd build a respect for hlmsell
that resulted in a revered memory OF
Washington's former Governor Just as
in Washington. although tardily, his
own citizens were to revere him.
The opposition to Gov. Shepheros $
vigorous efforts to build real city out
Of the crude settlement that was the
CAPITAL faded. Mr.. Whitwell said, only
after his death when it was realized
how right the Governor had been In
his methods. 1t was in 1909, Mr.. Whit
we'll said. that the statue OF Gov. Shep-
herd was reared in the District Build.
ing grounds at Fourteenth street ana
Pennsylvania avenue.
Tells Of Early Difficulties.
Lieut.. Col. Grant told Of the lack
of public works. the weak financial
structure and the poor physical condl,
ton generally of the National Capital
prior the last quarter OF the nine
teenth century. These conditions, ne
recalled. provoked a meeting of spirited
citizens who recommended that a ter
ritorial form of government be estao-
lished for the District of Columbia. AS
a result of that suggestion. Lieut.. Col.
Grant reviewed, a $4,000,000 bond issue
was launched and works were begun.
In the two or three years marked by
the activity Of Gov. Shepherds regime,
the parks director said that 180 miles
of streets were paved and 5000 trees
were planted.
arose during the early part OF his actlv-
ity. Col. Grant pointed out and enorts
were made to halt the bond issue
Finally, that opposition resorteo 10
congressional investigation. The nrst
of these found nothing, Col: Grant SAID
except that the government OF tne :,
district was getting its work done.
and the second found nothing 1t could
do but suggest that "three-headed
Commission form Of government be
esta ahIished to prevent work from being
done 70 promptly and in this. this new
form of government has been eminently
successful"
lieut.. Col. Grant said that Gov.
shenherd was extremely fond OF chill
dren and that the perpetuation OF his
name by q school house was admlraply
fitting.
Love for Children Extolled.
Tn nresenting the portrait Of his
father to the school, Mr.. SnepneIu, wy; y:
naid tribute to the Governors love OF
Children and said he and members OF
the family were particularly glad tnat
q school was to be his memorial.
The portrait was unveiled by little
Doris liver and Clark Collins. each 6
wears of age, and the youngest pupils
IT the school. Miss Janice Blum, prin-
cinaI Of the school, formally accepted
the picture on behalf of the school.
Miss Blum previously had accepted the
symbolical keys Of the school from Al.
bert 4. Harris, municipal architect OF
the District of Columbia, who designed
the structure.
with the invocation by DR.: N: J. Goulo
Wickey. president of the National Re-
lirious Association of America. Mrs.
j F. Rose, president Of the Alexander
r. shepherd Parent Teacher Associa-
tion. and Joseph H. Wilson, president
of the Sixteenth Street Heights Citizens
Association, welcomed the audience.
Mrs. Joseph NJ Saunders, president OF
the District Of Columbia Congress OF
Parents and Teachers, also spoke brief
ly. Robert L. Haycock, assistant super
intendent Of schools, presented to the
meeting the personal greetings Of DR..
Frank W. Ballou, superintendent Of
schools, who was unable to attend.
Music was provided by members OF
the Intergrade Group School Orchestra.
in Colonial costumes, under the direc-
ton of Mrs. Laura Fairchild Ward. con-
ductor. Vocal solos were sung by Mrs.
G. U. Edwards.
Benediction by the Rev. DR.. William
Abernathy, pastor Of the Calvary Bap-
TIT Church, concluded the exercises.
Because q troupe Of Partisan artists
refused to stop singing French songs
In q Dusseldorf, Germany, cafe, the