The Washington times., 1934-02-22
)ERN URGES PREPAREDNESS IN NWASF4|NGTONDA SPEECH
D. c. PATRIOTIC
GROUPS HOLD
SERVICES
ITO be prepared for war Is
one of the most effective means
Of preserving peace"

10 De prepared AOE "aE 10
one of the most effective means
Of preserving peace"
Attention to this side Of George
Washington's character and phil
osophy was called today by George
H. Dern, Secretary of War, in his
address at Constitution Hall in
commemoration of the 202d ami
versary of the patriots birth.
General Washington did not
mean he advocated large standing
armies, which we're likely to ursup
the functions Of civil government,
the War Secretary declared, but
he said in his Farewell Address:
"Taking care always to keep
ourselves by suitable establish
mentS on a respectable defen-
Sive posture, we may safely
trust to temporary alliances for
extraordinary emergencies"
Warned of Alliances
General Washington warned
also against entangling foreign
alliances, Mr.. Dern said. Contlnu'
ing, Mr.. Dern declared:
"The United States is now
making an effort to cure its
ailments without destroying its
political, social, and economic
system. A year ago we we're
rushing headlOng toward COM
munism or fascism, I don't
know which. Conditions had
grown intOIerable and were get
ting worse.
"But a change Of policy
averted chaos, and now the
American people again have
faith in the American system
and are looking hopefully to q
future of better ordered liberty,
better sustained opportunity,
and a better sense Of social
justice.
I'm so doing, we are getting
back to the traditions and
ideals of George Washington"
Mr.. Dern's address was made
under auspices of the Daughters
of the American Revolution, Sons
of the Revolution, and Children
of the American Revolution.
President Sends Wreath
The first wreath to be placed
at the Washington Monument
bore a card from The President" j."
It was of red and white carna-
tions and sweet peas, ferns and
palm leaves. The wreath was
placed by Capt. H. B. Smith of
the Sixteenth Brigade. Mr.. Roose-
welt did not go to the monument.
Other wreaths placed during the
day included those from the
Masonic clubs of Washington;
Daughters of the American Rev
olution; D. C. Salon Number IA OF
the order of Eight Hats and 40
Women, auxiliary of the 40 and 8,
a service organization; National
Capital Parks office; Association
of Oldest Inhabitants, and the
Washington National Monument
Society.
Flag Allegiance Pledged
The program opened with a
concert by the Marine Band and
the massing of the colors. The
Rev. John C. Palmer, grand chap.
plain of the Grand Masonic
Lodge of the District Of Colum,
bia, delivered the invocation and
the audience was led in its pledge
of allegiance to the flag by Bar
bara Hyacinth Fries and c. Van
Grunwell, jr., members of the
Children of the American Revolu-
tion.
William Tyler Page recited his
composition, THE Americans
Creed" and greetings were ex-
tended by Commissioner George
E. Allen.
Quotations Applauded
Immediately after quoting Wash
ington's remarks, Mr.. Dern was
interrupted by waves Of applause
from those in the packed hall.
The speech was broadcast on
two national chains.
The joint celebration, the twen-
tieth held by the societies, was
presided over by DR.. Thomas E.
Green, president Of the Sons Of
thte Revolution. On the stage
were presidents and other off
GERS of the organizations, and
invited guests.
Mrs. Harry Colfax Grove, State
regent, District of Columbia
Daughters of the American Revo-
luton, presented medal to Miss
Jane Hill, George Washington
University graduate last year, for
her winning essay, "The Period
1776-1786."
A medal also was presented to
Miss Leona Shade, Wilmington
Central High School student, for
her essay, "Delaware's Contribu.
tion to the War of the Revolu-
ton" The presentation was made
by Representative Wilbur D.
Adams of Delaware on behalf of
the Sons of the Revolution of
that State.