Evening star., 1937-05-22
SAFETY PATROLS
DRILL FOR PRIZES
800 Boys and Girls Go
Through PAGES Before
Army Officers.

More than 300 of the boys and girls
here for the conference of school
safety patrols paraded their marching
wares in preliminary drill formations
on Ninth street in the Mall area from
10 O'Clock until II 80 this morning.
Stepping under a hot sun to the
music Of 63-piece band from the
Donora Pa) High School, the IA drill
teams from four States and the Dis
trict went through their PAGES before
the judging eyes of three Army officers,
who will announce the winning three
groups after the parade to be held on
Constitution avenue at 2 o'clock this
afternoon.
approximately 10000 children from
20 States and the District will par
ticipate in the parade, which will form
in the area between Third and Sew
enth streets and Constitution and
Pennsylvania avenues 1t will proceed
west on Constitution avenue to the
reviewing stand located on that street
near Seventeenth.
Heroes Are Cheered.
The first activities of the visitors
began last night, when James
Roosevelt, Dick Merrill and Jack
Lambie, transatlantic flyers. Paul
Whiteman. Clark Griffith and Bob
Feller, Clevelands pitching sensa-
ton, popped open the dropping eye
lids of 1900 tired little boys and
girls in the Labor Department Audi
torium. scene of the Second National
Conference of School Safety Patrols.
All yesterday morning the uni
formed little men and women trooped
into the city on busses, trains and
by auto from as far away as Iowa,
Florida and Vermont. They in
spected Government department build
ings. ate lunch in at least so
different hotels and restaurants
so different hotels and restaurants,
and yesterday afternoon at 4:3O were
officially welcomed to the city by
Speaker Bankhead on the steps of
the Capitol
James Roosevelt, son of the Presi-
dent, read message of welcome sent
by his fatheer. 1t read in part:
1T seems to me that the problem
of accident prevention presents a
unique educational opportunity to the
youth of the country. / have a deep
interest in every activity that will
enable our boys and girls to take
advantage Of this oportunity. In the
field of accident prevention we must
look to continued education as one of
our major weapons.
The school safety patrols, now
operated. I am informed, in more
than 5000 communities, make
valuable and practical contribution
to this end. 1t gives me great salts
faction to express my sincere appre-
citation of the protection which these
safety patrols afford our school chill
dren. Theirs is work of inestimable
value to every community in which
it is carried out"
Griffith said, introducing Feller: II
used to be q pitcher myself. I was
a slow-ball pitcher with a great
change of pace-a slow ball and a
slower one. AS a slow-bal pitcher
appreciate, by the great contrast,
fast-ball pitchers "a three-minute
eulogy of Walter johnson, one-time
famed Big Train" of the Washing
ton team. 1t is with great satisfac-
ton I now present l8-year-old Bob
Feller, who bids fair to topple the
marks set by the fast-ball pitchers
of all time"
II feel can talk to you boys and
girls down there in the audience like
was one Of you," said Feller. "You
see, I only graduated from high
school last week Whatever sue
cess is, I'd like to say, don't let it 20
to your head. Somebody will always
come along who can knock you over.
Knowing that is what makes success
not 50 much fun as It's cracked up
to be-"
Ailing Arm Mending.
Feller is suffering from an ailing
arm, on which Is now focused the
eyes of base ball. Grifith prophesied
happily: Bob showed me his arm
tonight, and I think it will come
along fine. It's as straight as mine"
Merrill and Lambie, who recently
completed round trip of the At
lantic by plane, had to leave earlier
than expected and were able to an
swer only few questions from the
audience.
Whiteman, the king of jazz and
more currently sultan Of swing, con-
Quoted the Police Boys Club Band
in several numbers, which were broad
cast.
Capt. Richard Mansdsld of the ninth