Evening star., 1934-03-27
MRS. ROOSEVELT
ASKSBEST MUSIC
Says Capital Should Be First
in Artistic in Plea for
Orchestra.

Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt yester-
day urged continuance of the National
Symphony Orchestra for another year
and every year-in order that "the
Nations Capital should have the best
In every line of artistic endeavor,
especially music"
She spoke to a luncheon held at the
Carlton Hotel to raise So, 900 to COM
plete the estimated quota Of $4,000
needed annually to operate the Or
chestra.
Mrs. Roosevelt, speaking eloquently
and with sincerity, asked that those
who could, mo matter how small
your contribution may be, make the
orchestra your own"
For those Of us, with homes else
where. which We may love dearly, owe
to this National Capital of ours some
part Of our allegiance to art" she
said.
Should Have Best.
Mrs. Roosevelt continued: THE Ma
tional Symphony Orchestra is very
important thing, not only because it
provides pleasure and education and
4CChA46 lOl thboAS ohAOAA6
the children Of our city. but because
the Nations Capital should have the
best"
Not SO many years ago, Mrs. Roose-
welt explained, it was impossible to
have a criterion of music in the
United States. but in recent years
the development of Americas own
musicians and leaders are bringing
before the youth Of the country an
appreciation for music, which will
permit them to make a discrimina-
ton without the need Of foreign COM
parison.
Familiarity with music from early
youth lends security to a judgment
Of American music without the need
for European concepts" the First
Lady continued
Washington, she said, should be an
example of the best for the rest Of
the United States, and II do not
believe anything more in this line
Capital the best in good music" she
concluded.
Value Is Cited.
Cloyd Heck Marvin. president OF
George Washington University. spoke
following Mrs. Roosevelt. He dwelt
on the spiritual values Of good music
for adult and child and urged that
Washington maintain its progress in
musical endeavor.
Carl Engle. chief of the music divi-
sion of the Library of Congress. the
first speaker, said that Washington
was unlike other national capitals
because it was not the cultural and
artist. center" of the Nation.
Our Symphony Orchestra is one of
our most important assets, which we
cannot afford to lose through
civic apathy after three years
of steady growth" he said.
He said the problem OF maintaining
the orchestra would be solved If, like
its name implies. it were supported by
the Government as an educational
medium in our national music life"
Mrs. Elizabeth X. Peoples, director
ment, spoke of the educational value
being received by the children of the
city at the Saturday morning con-
certs The children-2,000 Of them
are developing keen appreciation, she
said.
Rev. Joseph r. Sizoo. pastor of the
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church,
said that during Holy week it was well
to think on those things which bring
a keener and better influence to liv-
ing. Courage, he said, flows through
music. The unifying effect of mu-
sical presentation also was a part of
the pastors address.
DR.. Hans Kinder, conductor of the
orchestra. spoke Of the devotion Of
his musicians to their work and to
Washington
Walter Bruce Howe. secretary Of the
National Symphony Association. pre-
sided over the meeting and presented
the speakers.