Evening star., 1934-10-27
president LAUDS
NAVY AS PRIDE Of
AMERICAN PEOPLE
Yards and Ships Are Hosts.
Adequate Force Pledged
by Swanson.
NATIONS SEA HEROES
ARE RENDERED HONOR
Airplane Demonstration Staged at
Local Base-Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt Speaks Tonight.

The United States Navy was praised
today in a message from President
Roosevelt to Secretary Swanson as the
thirteenth annual celebration of Navy
day was launched throughout the Ma
ton. The day is featured locally by
a varied program at the Washington
Navy Yard and other ceremonies hon.
oring outstanding naval heroes.
PraiSing the traditions of the serv.
ice, its officers and enlisted men, the
message from the President to the
Navy Secretary said.
1T is gratifying to learn Of the
plans to observe Navy day in accord
ance with the custom which has been
followed annually since 1922 Of set
ting apart the birthday of the late
President Theodore Roosevelt for that
occasion.
Inspires National Pride.
Prom the very beginning of our
national life, the Navy has always
been. and justly deserves to be, an
object of special pride to the Amer
ican people. Its record is indeed one
to inspire such sentiments.
Il am very sure that the commem-
Grafton Of this day each year tends
to bring the Navy into closer contact
with our people, from which it draws
its inspiration.
1T is with real pleasure and feel
ing Of deep personal pride for our
Navy that I send to the officers and
men of the Navy the Nations con-
gratulations on this Navy day, and I
am certain that they will continue to
justify the confidence of their couu-
trymen and perpetuate the high en-
deavor, efficiency and tradition that
has marked the service of the Navy
to the Nation"
Adequate Navy Pledged.
Secretary Swanson, in a message to
the naval service, gave assurance Of
an adequate Navy within the frame
work of existing treaties that will be
commensurate in ships and personnel
with our requirements for national
safety. our sea-borne commerce and
our worldwide commitments.
The spontaneous enthusiasm and
overwhelming majority which char
acteriZed the passage of the Vinson
bill can be interpreted as a clear man
date Of the American people that
henceforth it shall be considered on
the part of our Government to build
and maintain a Navy within the
framework of existing treaties the
Secretary said.
1T is gratifying to all of us in the
Navy, am sure, that during the past
Ao. ,,r,fY, - NaNFtun1
of interest in the Navy as evidenced
not alone by the administration, but
by the sympathetic attitude Of Con-
gress, the press and the public at
large"
AS is the custom for the days OBJ
servance, the Navy is playing host to
every one who wants to visit its fight
ing vessels and its stations and bases
on shore, giving demonstrations Of
activities of its personnel and use Of
equipment.
Navy Yard Opened.
Beginning at 8 am. the Washing
ton Navy Yard was thrown open to
visitors with an elaborate program OF
maneuvers, operation of equipment
and demonstrations of technical skill
arranged for their amusement. Thou
sands of Washingtonians and many
out-of-town visitors were expected TO
witness the various events.
Highlights at the navy yard in
clude an air show staged at 10 am.
by planes from the Naval Air Station
and another elaborate air show sched-
uled for this afternoon by the Aircraft
Fleet Marine Force from Quantico, Va.
during which spectators will be given
a smoke-screen demonstration. The
Farragut. the Nays latest type de-
stroyer, is open to visitors at the
yard.
At noon today, representatives of Is
patriotic organizations gathered at
the statue of John Paul Jones at the
foot of Seventeenth street for spe-
cial ceremony in honor of the naval
hero. under auspices of the Military
Order of the World War and the
National Sojourners. Music for the
ceremony was furnished by the United
States Marine Band A Navy day
address was delivered by Comdr w.
A. Lee, U. S. N, and an introductory
speech delivered by Rear Admiral T.
J. Cowie. U. S. ~, retired, represent
ing the Military Order of the World
War. who presided. Invocation was
by Capt. Sydney K. Evans, Chaplains
Corps. U. S. N.
A wreath was placed on the base Of
the monument by the patriotic organi-
cations participating in the ceremony,
represented as follows, with Maj. Ed
win S. Bottelheim, jr., U. S. Army Re-
serve, master of ceremonies:
Navy League Of the United States,
Capt. r. C. Davis, U. S. NJ: Military
Order of the World War, Brig. Gen.
William E. Horton U. S. A., retired,
commander. District of Columbia
Chapter; National Sojourners. DR.. w.
H. Sebrell. president: National Society
Daughters of American Revolution,
Mrs. Russell w. Magma, president
general; American Gold Star Mothers,