Evening star., 1933-05-30
Roosevelt Offers His Tribute
to Country's Heroes at
Arlington.
SPECIAL RITES PLANNED
FOR VICTIMS OF AKRON
Gen. Pershing to Discuss Economy
Act Effects on Veterans on
Radio This Afternoon.

Imbued with the spirit of Memorial
day, thousands of former comrades and
I, relatives of men of many wars who
sleep in Arlington National Cemetery
were awaiting the arrival of President
Roosevelt early this afternoon to join in
the Nations official tribute to the mem
ory of its heroic dead
President Roosevelt had picked a si-
lent part for himself in the impressive
service that is to be held In the white
amphitheater at Arlington, leaving to
Secretary of War George H. Dern and
Secretary of the Navy Claude A. Swan
son the duty of expressing the Nations
gratitude for the sacrifices of its de-
tenders. Accompanied by Mrs. Roose-
welt and aides, the President was ex-
pected to arrive few minutes before
the service was scheduled to begin.
Mrs. Roosevelt, who was in New York
early today, was planning to make
dash to the Capital by airplane, but
abandoned the plans for flying be-
cause of bad weather and took the
train for the Capital.
Five wreaths will be placed in the
name of the President on the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier and other spots
at Arlington by Lieut.. Comdr. T. P.
Jeter U. S. N. Another wreath from
the White House will be taken to
Mount Vernon by Lieut. Gordon Rogers.
U. s. A., White House aide, to be placed
on the tomb Of George Washington.
Will Pause at Bridge.
Upon leaving Arlington, the Presi-
dent and his party win pause for a
brief period at the Arlington Memorial
Bridge to take part in another cere-
mony full of poignancy in view of the
recent destruction of the u S. S. Akron.
He will see the model of a full-rigged
sailing ship and the dirigible Akron
cast adrift at the water gate at 1:30
O'Clock by members of the Fleet Re-
serve Association. Rear Admiral Ernest
j. King. new chief of the Bureau of
Aeronautics, will be the principal
speaker, and John F. Sweeney viii act
as master of ceremonies.
A light but steady rain began to fall
shortly before noon, which had the
effect of thinning out the waiting
crowds. Many took shelter in the few
buildings at the cemetery, but for the
most part those who remained went
about their services Of devotion un-
little hope, however, that the rainfall
would cease before the main program
opened in the practically unprotected
amphitheater
In accordance with the Presidents
request, the services in the Arlington
Amphitheater also will make general
mention of the greatest air disaster
of recent years. Relatives of the men
who lost their lives abroad the Akron
will be given privileged seats In the
ampitheater
President Roosevelt will be accom-
panied to Arlington by his military
aide. Col. Campbell Hodges. and his
naval aide. Capt. Walter Vernon. Sec
retary of the Treasury Woodin and
Mrs. Woodin, and Secretary of Agri-
be among the notableS assembled on
the platform. Gen. John j. Pershing,
representing the men he led in France,
and other high officers of the Army
and Navy and Marine Corps will attend.
Pilgimages Begin Early.
The picturesque pilgrimage to Airing
ton began at $3.50 o'clock this morning
as large groups of veterans met at
Thirteenth street and Pennsylvania
avenue for the annual parade. They
were headed by small group of blue
clad men, whose steps were faltering.
but undaunted They are all that are
left in Washington of the once great
Department of the Potomac, Grand
Army of the Republic At Seventeenth
street and Pennsylvania avenue these
veterans of all wars disbanded, some
going 10 the cemetery by busses and
others in private cars. They had
marched to the note of muffled drums.
Once at Arlington, the groups of the
various veterans organizations met one
by one before the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier and placed wreaths upon it in
memory of all the unknown dead of the
World War.
Undaunted by threats of showers,
other groups met at Hains Point at
Continued on Page 2, Column A.