Evening star., 1932-07-05
ID. c. CELEBRATION
| ENDS BRILLIANTLY
AFTER DOWNPOUR
10000 Watch Fireworks
on Grassy Slopes
at Monument.
FREE SCORES BONUS MEN
AND OTHER LOBBYISTS
Speaker, in Senator Watson's
Place, Attacks Narrow Demands
Before Patriotic Throng.

Washington showed its approval Of
156 years of American liberty yester-
day in a city-wide observance Of the
Fourth Of July, which, of to a rain
marred start, wound up in tumultous
fashion with galaxy of pyrotechnics
on the Washington Monument Grounds.
An address by Representative Arthur
M. Free, Republican. OF California,
speaking instead Of Senator James E.
Watson of Indiana, who was unable to
attend, marked patriotic program in
the Sylvan Theater which preceded the
fireworks display. A crown estimated
at about 100000 persons thronged the
grassy slopes at the base of the tall
Monument shaft to view both events.
Characteriz.ng organized minorities
as menace to democratic form Of
| government, Representative Free, dur
ing the course Of his independence day
address, took occasion to attack the
! purpose Of the influx of the so-called
! bonus army" into the Capital.
Scores Lobbyist Horde.
"It is difficult enough for honest
legislators who wish to serve their
country well to combat the horde Of
| press for the demands and needs Of
certain specific, narrow interests of our
country to the exclusion of all Others"
| the speaker declared
But it Is high time for intelligent
citizens to take thought when certain
numerous elements of the population
gather en- masse in the Nations Capital
to insist upon their alleged rights. We
| sympathize with these men. We be-
lieVe that they are simply misled and
We condemn those who by irresponsible
utterances are responsible for their
| presence here. But we cannot sub
scribe to a program which in benefting
a small part of the Nation will work
great injury upon the others who are
| in need.
mo one group Of the Nation has
monopoly Of distress or suffering at this
time. Relief must be relief for the
Nation, not for the group"
The Representatives patriotic ad-
dress, broadcast over a network of the
Columbia Broadcasting System, called
for the people Of America ito shake cff
the discouragement and paralysis which
Is upon you and march forward again
to that goal which is Americas great
destiny"
Fireworks Impressive.
The mammoth fireworks display.
| climaxing day of celebrations in many
| community centers, was one of the most
outstanding Of the annual demonstra-
tionS OF its kind held here. Starting
shortly before 8 O'Clock, the exhibition
included impressive set pieces depicting
| stages of Washington's career, a tribute
to whom was woven into the Independ-
| ence day celebration as part of the
| bicentennial observance The fireworks
were in charge Of committee headed
by Claude w. Owen. Cost of the dis
play, it was stated, was covered by the
sale of tickets for seats for spectators.
The Sylvan Theater program was
presided over by Thomas P. Littlepage,
chairman of the Citizens Committee
| appointed by the District Commission
| ers to sponsor the 4th Of July celebra-
ton. 1t included a concert by the
United States Marine Band, maSsing of
the colors, invocation by Rev. DR.. w.
| Coleman Nevils, S. j., president of
Georgetown University; Representative
| Frees address, vocal selections by Eva
| Whitford Lovette, a tableaux of the 13
| original States, reading of the Declara-
| tion of Independence by Robert Down.
| ing, recitation of the oath of allegiance
by Boy Scouts, and presentation Of the
colorS.
Cooperating in the municipal pro-
gram were the Office of Public Build
| ings and Public Parks, the Community
Center Department, District Bicenten-
nial Commission, Greater National
Capital Committee and the United
States Signal Corps.
Postponed to Today.
! The citizens of Takoma Park, who
had planned an all-day patriotic pro-
gram for the fourth, tonight will stage
colorful pageant and parade post
| poned yesterday on account Of the
early morning rain. The event to-
night in which 80 floats portraying
THE Life of George Washington" will
| participate will begin at o'clock, with
the United States Army Band in the
| lead.
Other exercises on the Takoma Park
program, however, were held later yes
( terday as the weather cleared. These
included patriotic ceremonies at 10
O'Clock in the Takoma Park School, at
which Brig. Gen. Amos A. Fries, U. S.
| A., retired, was principal speaker, and
fireworks display in front OF the
school in the evening. An athletic meet
was held at the Whittier School Play
ground.
The East Washington celebration,
scheduled to have taken place at the
Eastern High School Stadium, was
postponed until Saturday.
|