Evening star., 1934-11-27
B!CENTENN|A[ UNIT.
COMPLETES WORK
Roosevelt Praises Memorial
Services to George Wash.
ington in Report.


containing more than 100000 words,
comprising complete and final re-
port" of its activities, the United
States Commission for the Celebra-
ton Of the 2OOth Anniversary of the
Birth Of George Washington has con-
cluded nearly 10 years of activities
which had their climax in the year.
long observance of the Washington
birth bicentennial in 1882.
The great volume, which weighs
seven pounds. is the fifth of a series
of report volumes issued by the COM
mission, describes in detail the ele-
ments of the celebration and the or
ganization 10 which was intrusted the
direction of observances in every sec
tion of the United States.
The work is divided into two sec
tions, the first narrative of the
work of the commission and OF the
celebration itself; the second, COM
pilation Of the reports OF the va
rious departments and divisions Of
the commission.
I'VE have gone into as much detail
concerning various bicentennial events
and programs throughout the Nation
as possible" it was explained BY
Representative Sol Bloom of New
York director Of the commission, but
st is readily realized that only the
highlights could be touched upon in
this report.
Four Million Events.
The magnitude Of the celebration
can be visualized from the fact that
each day there were an average OF
$4,000 individual bicentennial Celebra-
ton events or ceremonies. totaling
4760345 for the nine months period"
In a letter which is printed as
preface to the work, President Roose-
welt declares that the commission has
left AN immortal legacy in the form
of historical facts covering every
phase not only Of George Washing
tons life. but Of those elements and
events centering in him as the out
standing figure . his time"
Future historians and scholars"
the President said, may rely upon
this record which you have so care
fully and so authoritatlVely preserved.
The results of this part of your work
have reached deep into the hearts of
the people, and revived in them fun
damental reasons for pride of country
and faith in its system of govern
ment."
The President expressed the debt
of gratitude" which the country owes
to the commission and voiced his rec
ognition of the many years Of service
which you as director. rendered in
this monumental task. and that upon
you and your fine organization rested
the heaviest responsibility and bur-
Den Of accomplishment"
Lauded by Roosevelt.
The President declared that the
complete report Just published brings
tn close an activity of the Federal
Government unique in history. and
in my opinion. of incalculable value
to the American people" The cele-
bration, he said, was observed in this
country and throughout the world lin
a manner which was dignified and ap-
propriate" and the lessons Of the life
and achievements of George Wash
ington and their real significance fur
nished to the country by the commits
sion will have lasting effect in the
quality Of future American citizen
ship"
Preparation for the bicentennial
celebration began in 1924 and the
first meeting Of the commission was
called by President Coolidge at the
White House February 16, 1925. The
celebration was officially inaugurated
by President Coolidge with an ad-
dress to both Houses OF Congress
February %, 1927, five years before
the bicentennial year
The report shows that during a
period of seven years Congress ap-
propriated total Of sl.270,7l602 in
connection with the celebration. Of
which s1,190 364l1 was disbursed by
the commission.
Many of the great formal celebra-
tions of the bicentennial are described
in detail and illustrated photograph
ically; hundreds of photographs be-
ing used to supplement the text.
Previous celebrations also were re-
viewed. including the Tooth ami
yersary of Washington's birth and
the 50th anniversary Of his inaugura-
ton
The celebration as whole, Direc-
tor Bloom states in the final report,
lis proof. If proof is needed, Of the
loyalty Of the Nation to the princi-
piles Of its foundation and to those
who founded 1t. 1t was worthy
memorial to one Of the worlds great
men, and one Of the few whose repu-
tations increase with the progress Of
time and shine ever brighter in the
searching light Of history"