Evening star., 1932-02-22
WASHINGTON PAID
TR|BUTEB NATION
BicentenniaI Formally Open.
ed, With Hoover Leading
Observance.
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Page)
to review the pretentious military and
civic pageant from a special stand on
Washington street. and then were to
proceed by way of the broad new Mount
Vernon Memorial Boulevard to the
modest tomb of Washington on the
green slopes of the Potomac River.
AT the well-preserved colonial man
sion where Washington breathed his
last, President Hoover afterward will
give a brief and informal address to
delegation of educators who rave come
to this city for the convention of the
National Education Associa ton.
The House assembled long in advance
Of the joint session, which started
at noon After a call to order by
Speaker Garner. invocation was pro-
nounced by Rev. DR.. James Shera
Montgomery. chaplain Of the House.
At signal from the House, the Sen
ate left it's chamber and assembled in
the hall Of its brother body. Vice
President Curtis was rendered the gavel
by Speaker Garner.
Justice Hughes There.
The special guests of honor were
escorted to places reserved for them
Besides the President and the members
of his cabinet, the guests included
Chief Justice Hughes and his col
leagues of the highest bench. Ambas
sadors and Ministers of foreign coun-
tries. Gen. Pershing and Gen. Douglas
Macarthur of the Army. Admiral Will
liam " Pratt of the Navy, Maj. Gen
Ben Fuller Of the Marine Corps, Rear
Admiral F. C. Billiard of the Coast
Guard, the District Commissioners,
Governors of the 48 States. descendants
the Federal and local Bicentennial
gressional Committee in Charge of Ar
rangements.
After the singing Of America" by
the audience and of the "Recessional'
by the Interstate Male Chorus, Vice
President Curtis introduced Senator
Fess of Ohio, vice chairman of the Fed
eral Bicentennial Commission.
Senator Fess presented President
Hoover, who made his first appear
ance before joint session of Congress.
Singing Of the national anthem. THE
Star Spangled Banner concluded
the ceremonies in the House chamber
The President and the other guest,
then adjourned to the east front of the
Capitol for the public demonstration. DR..
George c. Havenner, executive vice
chairman OF the District Bcentennial
Com i.sion. introduced Dr. Cloyd
Heck Marvin. chairman of the COM
mission.
Sousa Leads Band.
Hail to the Chief" sounded by a
band composed of the Army Navy and
Marine Bands under Lieut. Comdr John
liy 81
Marine Band. announced arrival of
the President.
A massed chorus Of 10000 school
children and 1000 adults led the
assemblage in singing America" at a
signal from President Hoover. With
the three bands playing in unison and
the thousands of voices lifted in thei,
song Of glory. battery of microphones
conveyed the tribute of the choir to
| networks of domestic radio ST tions and
, to short-wave transmitters for trans
oceanic reproduction.
Lunch at White Houee.
The program en- the plaza included
elderfer, president OF the Board of Dis
| trict Commissioners. and Representa-
tive James M. Beck of Pennsylvania
! Other musical offerings we're a solo,
| Garry Me Back to OF Virginnv." by
Representative Clifton A. Woodrum of
| that hallowed State; song. Wash
ington. Fair Capital" by school chill
dren. under Dr. E. NJ C. Barnes; sing
ing of To Thee. o Country" bv col
ored school children. and playing Of
the George Washington Bicentennial
March," by the massed bands with
Sousa, author of the march. conduct
| ing.
President Hoover had luncheon at
the White House before proceeding
by way OF the new Memorial Bridge
| and Mount Vernon Boulevard to Alex
andria and Mount Vernon.
All during the morning there were
pilgrimages to the Monument by indi-
viduals or groups wishing to lay
| wreaths at the base of the tall shaft
in memory of Washington.
Forty-eight flags. representing all the
States. were raised around the Wash
| ington Monument this morning by the
Office of Public Buildings and Public
Parks and a wreath from Col. U. S.
Grant. Sd. director of the ofice. was
laid at the base Of the shaft.
Crowd at Flag Raising.
The wreath laying and flag raising
| took place about 8 O'Clock and crowd
| of approximately 200 persons gathered
| in anticipation of colorful exercises.
| When no ceremony appeared forthcom-
| ing they began to disperse after about
| Is or 20 minutes Of waiting
Representatives Of the Daughters Of
| 1912 also were present. expecting to
take part in some ceremony. The Or
ganization was represented by Mrs.
! Brady G. Ruttencutter, carrying the
American flag. and Mrs. j. w. Creigh-
ton. carrying the flag of the District of
Columbia Chapter.
Wreath from Hoovers.
Wreaths were laid at the Monument
from the President and Mrs. Hoover,
the Association of Oldest Inhabi-
tants, the Military Order Of the
1912, Knights of Columbus, District
Federation of Patriotic Observants.
District Department Of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, Sons Of Union Veterans.
and local department of the Grand
Army of the Republic. Masonic clubs
| of Washington held brief service at
the Monument. Additional pilgrimages
to the shaft were to be made today by
representatives of the D. A. r.. Sons
| of the American Revolution. Children
| Of the American Revolution and Dis
trict Department Of the American
Legion.
The Association Of Oldest Inhab-
| itants observed the day by meeting in
the old fire engine house on H street
E.