davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-05-29
WHILE these changes, enlarge
Tuesday Set Aside by Presidential Proclamation for
Observance Honoring Exploration of Mississippi
River by Noted French Missionary.

priest to come down to their distant
wigwams and instruct them and
members of their tribe who lived on
this unknown river, he responded
eagerly.
That was the beginning OF Father
Marquette's real career as an explorer.
Before he undertook his major explora-
tions, however, the young missionary
went to visit the Huron tribes at La
Pointe. They were forced to abandon
their villages because of the Dakotas.
Father Marquette postponed his prof.
ect to go with the Illinois Indians. He
went, instead, with the Hurons to their
ancient abode on the northwest shore
Of the Straits Of Mackinac.
At Mackinac Father Marquette still
kept in his heart the wish to explore
the great river which the Indians
called the Father of Waters.
Early in 1873, accompanied by Louis
Joliet and five other Frenchmen, Mar
quette began his famous journey-the
exploration Of the Mississippi.
Scant knowledge Of this great water
course had been gained from Indians
Of the central prairies.
The Marquette route was q tedious
one. It lay up the northwest side Of
Lake Michigan; up Green Bay and
Fox River; across Lake Winnebago;
over the portage to the Wisconsin
River; down the Wisconsin into the
Mississippi.
Once in the Mississippi, the party
pressed onward until they had de-
scended to = point about TOO miles
from the sea. at the confluence Of the
Arkansas River.
II i recorded IN history books that
Evening star., 1937-05-29

Mississippi River. He also discovered
the Mackinac and explored the St.
Lawrence and the Great Lakes.
Led by Representative McKeough,
a delegation of Americans and French
men will hold services in Statuary
Hall at 10 ANA wreath to be placed
at the base Of the Marquette Statue.
In Chicago, the city that claims
Marquette as its discoverer, and at
the old mission in Mackinac where
Marquette is buried, other celebrations
will be held.
EATHER MARQUETTE was the hero
of the Midwest for many years.
according to Representative Nc
Keough, who recalls that q city, .
number OF towns, . water course and
a university are named for the famous
explorer.
Marquette, at the age Of II, entered
the Society Of Jesus and was sent by
his superiors in 1866 to the Indian mis-
sions in Eastern Canada. There he
found his love for the wide open
spaces.
Two years later Father Marquette
was sent to Sault Ste. Marie. He in
structed Indian tribes on the south
western shore Of Lake Superior. It
was to this mission settlement that the
Illinois Indians came from their dis
tant wigwams In the south and they
brought with them stories Of mighty
river which flowed through their coun-
try. It flowed 30 far south, they told
Father Marquette, that no man knew
into what ocean or gulf it emptied.
Father Marquette was intrigued
When these same Indians, who had
iouRQsyed 1aE to - him, asksd the
Evening star., 1937-05-29

With school recess approaching and
boys thoughts turning from reading
to swimming, from writing to base
ball and from school room arithmetic
to calculations of time and distance
in the field Of athletics-Camp Let's
may answer problem being pondered
by parents.
Only a stones throw" from the
National Capital in the terms of dis
tance and the time it takes to reach
the camp with modern transporta-
ton methods, Camp Let's represents
a development, over period Of 81
years, intended to aid the spiritual
and physical welfare Of boys between
the ages of 10 to l8 years. 1t Is in
a way dream come true in the form
Of a modern boys camp, offering the
many facilities of the more expensive
camps without the cost.
Under the guidance of Y M. c. A.
executives, the camp has grown
steadily from a makeshift place on
the South River in 1906 to an ultra
modern recreation center.
Instead of merely dried grass for
beds, tents for shelter and other crude
Evening star., 1937-05-29
By John Jay DAILY.
Ny PRESIDENTIAL proclama-

~ Y PRESIDENTIAL pfoclamA-
X ton, next Tuesday will be
- Marquette day in celebration
of the tercentenary Of the
birth of Jacques Marquette, re-discov-
erer Of the Mississippi River, June l,
1887, at Laon, France.
Representative Raymond S. Nc
Keough, Democrat, of Illinois intro
duced in the House the bill that set
aside the day on which this Nation
will recognize the triumphs Of the
great explorer and missionary, Father
Marquette, whose statue Is in the
Capitors Statuary Hall.
Senator James Hamilton Lewis OF
Illinois championed the McKeough
bill In the Senate, and the law was
passed finally on May 20, just slightly
over a week before the event.
When President Roosevelt issued his
formal declaration setting aside June
l as Marquette day, America and
France joined hands in honoring
q man whose name is written In
large type across the pages Of Ameri-
can history, but whose native country
France, until this year had almost
totally ignored the accomplishments
Of the explorer. Even in his old home
town, Laon, there was not even q
statue Of Jacques Marquette.
Recently, in compliance with reso-
lutions adopted by the various learned
societies at Laon, a committee was
formed to arrange for the erection OF
such q memorial. Money collected
from school children Of all France
helped swell the fund. Old French
copper coins, no longer in circulation,
were melted to make bronze for the
Marquette statue.
Elaborate ceremonies are planned
for Tuesday to perpetuate the deeds
Of this Midwest explorer pan who
found the source apd mouth Of tha
Evening star., 1937-05-29

Marquette and his partner, Joliet,
entered the Mississippi on May II.
1873. They went to the Gulf of
Mexico and turned back July II.
exactly two months later. BY way
of the Illinois River they returned
to Green Bay and Michigan in Sep
tember Of that year.
Fear Of the spaniards prevented a
more elaborate exploration Of the
Mississippi at the time.
On the return journey from the Gulf
Of Mexico, Marquette came to the
present site Of Chicago. There he
spent his last Winter on earth. His
strength exhausted by labors and
travel, the explorer wanted to end his
days at the old mission in Mackinac.
AS he coasted along the eastern shore
OF Michigan, Father Marquette
reached the mouth of a small stream
near the present city Of Ludington.
He asked his companions to carry him
ashore. They did-and he died there
May 1s, 1875. He was only SO years
of age. Two years later the Indians
carried the bones Of Marquette to the
mission at Mackinac.
Marquette made his place in his
tory and, as President Coolidge said
in an address at Chicago in 1924,
"Of the men who laid the foundation
for our country. he deserves his place
among the foremost"
While the making Of Marquette day
Is a non-scctarian movement, fostered
by high officials in the two States that
saw most of his services-Illinois
and Wisconsin-naturally the Jesuit
Order Is interested in the tribute
paid to one of its members, and
Right Rev. Arthur A. O'Leary, presi-
dent Of Georgetown University, will
be one Of the principal speakers In
the Capital ceremony planned by Rep
resentative McKeough, who with
Senator Lewis made the day possible.
Flags will fy from every public build
ing Of the United States and Its Ter
yitories In honor Of Marquett%
Evening star., 1937-05-29
CAMPING MADE INEXPENSIVE
y NJ c. A. Boys Camp Near Annapolis Offers Washington Fam
lies of Modest Income Solution Problem of Where
Send Sons This Summer

A FIRST aid clinic is maintained
under medical supervision to
meet any emergency. In addition, DR..
George B. Tribe leading Washington
nose and throat specialist, makes
weekly visits to the camp for consult
tation, observation and examination.
Ample provision is made at the
camp for growing boys appetites.
The camp stewards and cooks are
trained in the service. Vegetables
for the camp are grown on the
camp farm. insuring their freshness.
Through the generosity of the late
Mr.. Let's and Mrs. Let's, the camp
boasts a dining hall elaborately
equipped. The meal time at Camp
Let's is happy one.
Literally, every moment of the day
at Camp Let's is filled. Here's .
typical program, as outlined in this
years catalogue:
Rising hour, I am; setting-up
exercise, 7:o5; morning dip, 7:15;
breakfast, 1880; chapel, 815 to $50;
prepare tents for inspection, $50 to
9:25; inspection, $50: instruction
hour mature study, first aid, handi-
craft, etc) 10 to ll:15; swimming
period, 1870 to II; dinner, 1890;
quiet hour. l to pm; open period
for use Of rowboats, motor boats, hikes,
etc. 2 to 3 pm; league games, to
4:30; swimming period. 4:30 to S:
FAX. rorinS for ~
boats, group games. etc. tthree nights
week camp fire; other nights,
social program preparing hunks for
the night, $50 to 8:45; evening
prayers, 8:45; lights out. pm
Wilbur D. Bailey the camp director
for 1887, has had many years prac-
tical experience at Camp Let's, where
he succeeds as director James c.
Ingram, who resigned in April to be.
come director Of boys work for the
Virginia State Y. M. c. A.
All those appointed to the counselor
staff are young men, chosen for their
special fitness in temperament and
character for the duties they are
called upon to perform. The camp
counselors are the boys compa mons.
Boys intuitively appraise them and
there is established an understanding,
a spirit Of true comradeship and re-
spect which promotes discipline and
adds to the enjoyment of the life at
the camp.
Like every other Y. M. c. A. activity,
Camp Let's is conducted on a nom
profit sharing basis.
The development of the camp to
its present day status from its crude
beginning in 1906 is familiar to many
and represents hard work and an
earnest desire on the part of Y. M. c.
A. executives and friends of the "Y"
to aid the boy to build character and
sound healthy body.
The camp has grown steadily both
in the matter of Improvements and tho
number Of boys in attendance. Al.
ready a number OF reservations have
been made at the camp for this year.
Y. M. C. A. officials expect 1887 to
prove the camps most successful year,
both in the attendance and activities
there.
Sports and the old swimming hole.
the dreams Of every boy as Summer
epproa ches, are about to be enjoyed.
Evening star., 1937-05-29
NEW PARK AREAS AVAILABLE
Government Invites Washington Public Places Whee Every
Prospect Peases" and Sandwiches and Hard Boiled Eggs
Can Be Consumed With Maximum of Pleasure.

might eat their lunches and rest under
the trees.
For those in search of more beauty,
natural and diversified, than they had
thought to find without travelling for
hours in the Summers heat, is rec
commended a trip to the new recrea-
tional area now known simply as
ChopaWamsic. Here, a short distance
from the Capital over U. S. Route l
to Dumfries. within stones throw of
Quantico and in the vicinity of Jop-
lin, Va. are 10000 acres of the most
delightful out-of-door country to be
found anywhere
This sub-marginal land originally
was Resettlement project and later
was turned over to the recreational
planning division of the Park Service
Now, with operations in charge of
the National Capital Parks, it bids
fair to be one of the favorite camping
spots for miles around.
That 1t shall be a comfortable,
picturesque and charming spot the
Park Service is taking care, and so its
two streams, its natural hills and val
leys and heavily wooded areas are be-
ing preserved in as native a state of
beauty as possible, while at the same
time every comfort for tourists, from
cabins to golf course, is being planned.
When you consider that the largest
parks in the District, Rock Creek
Park, is about 1900 acres, you have
some idea Of the tremendous size Of
the new area of Chopawamsic, with
its 10000 acres of woodlands and
streams.
The streams in this area, Quantico
Creek and Chopawamsic Greek, are
being damned at strategic points to
provide the thousands of children they
will accommodate during the Summer
months with out-of-door swimming
pools of the finest kind One of these
pools is being rushed to completion
in time for this season, and by next
year the Park Service hopes to open
several others to the public.
THIS year, also, many new cabins
have been built in the woods for
the accommod odation of underprivileged
children who will camp on the spot
this year. Hiking trails have been
opened through the woods and play
fields cleared. In addition to the
swimming centers, lakes will be con-
structed by damming the two good
sized streams, and it is planned to
introduce variety Of water sports,
such as boating and canoeing.
The Park Service is going. to stock
the streams with game fish later. In
order that weekend fishing parties
or other campers may find accom-
modations, sufficient number of
cabins will be erected that can be
rented at nominal fees by visitors
wishing to spend some days in the
region. 1t is planned to build two
communities Of cabins-one for those
adults who can afford to pay for the
privileges they receive and the other
for group of underprivileged adults
who could not otherwise enjoy period
away from the heat Of the city.
Part of the project also includes
the establishment of camp for boys
and girls from Virginia farms. Such
camp, drawing from the rural areas,
Evening star., 1937-05-29

facilities OF two decades ago, the
present camp, named for its prin-
cipal benefactor the late John Cowan
Let's, offers mattresses on double
decker beds in Well-ventilated cabins.
Instead of swimming in weed-in-
tested waters, the boys swim from a
sandy beach, wired to protect them
from the sea nettles.
With a capacity for 200 boys, Camp
Let's has about 40 counselors, camp
director experienced in boys work
and physicians to look after the
health Of the young campers.
There is expert instruction in SWIM
ming, boating and various crafts.
There is a large athletic field, which
includes a cinder track and base ball
diamond.
These things sound good to boys
and parents who are mapping out
Summer program.
CAMP LET'S opens June IS and
closes September 3. The usual
ages OF boys taken at the camp range
from 10 to ls, with exceptions made
where boys under 10 are particularly
well-developed for their age, or where
, q boy 10, for instance, wants to ac-
company younger brother TO camp
The camp includes some 20 wooden
cabins, well-ventilated and screened
against flies and mosquitoes, a craft
hall. large and modernly-equipped
dining hall, recreation hall, bath house
and headquarters cabin, in addition to
cabins accommodate IL boys and two
counselors while other accommodate
eight boys.
Last year the average length Of
time spent in the camp by an indi-
vidual boy was about "a days, as
compared with . little less than a
22-day average in 1927, and the camp
had q total OF 462 boy campers, as
compared with 1913 in 1927. 1t had
43 leaders and directors as compared
with 80 in 1927 Also, 2l2 boys were
taught to swim, as compared with
only IS in 1927.
The total attendance at morning
chapel throughout the last camp sea-
son was 1880, compared with $500 in
1927 Attendance at Sunday services
was 5,940, compared with 957 in 1927.
The average weekly enrolment last
year was 155, compared with 81 In
1927.
These figures, Leonard w. DeGast,
general secretary OF the Y. M. c. A.,
and other Y. M. c. A. officials
feel, show their efforts have been
worthwhile
The camp, comprising 2l9 acres of
woodland with an unbroken shoreline,
Is designed to shape the character and
disposition OF the boy, ironing out
"discordant wrinkles and implanting
q spirit that makes each youngster
see himself golden link in the chain
Of others good"
Besides being taught to swim and
handle boat, the camper plays tennis
and base ball, hikes and gathers
around camp fires at night for songs
and story telling. He takes part in
dramatics, tournaments, competitive
athletics all the while under the
watchful guidance of camp counselors
Evening star., 1937-05-29

will become a permanent feature Of
the Chopawamsic area.
While in time it is planned to thus
open up the region to various classes
OF campers. in this present season it is
being offered for the accommodation
of three groups of underprivileged
children. TWO of these groups will be
Evening star., 1937-05-29
By Lucy Salamanca.

n YEW picnic groves will be opened
nj Tor the first time at Fort Hunt
this Summer season for the
accommodation of as many as
800 picnlckers at one time. Certain
sections along the Mount Vernon
Boulevard will be available for recrea-
ton. and about an hours ride from
washington q recreational area of
10000 acres is being developed to in
clude swimming pools, play fields and
play facilities, hiking trails and cabins
for those who wish to spend some days
amidst the mountain streams and
wamsic area that has now become part
OF the National Capital park system.
The parks in and around the Capital
are getting trimmed, pruned and i'm
proved to an almost incredible degree
in anticipation of motorists and other
pleasure seekers who will spend much
Of their free time this Summer in the
open air. This year, with vast acreage
being made available to the public for
the first time. within easy riding dis
tance Of washington, it is hoped at the
Interior Department that some OF the
congestion prevalent in city parks in
past seasons will be relieved and that
Washingtonians will find more free
dom and pleasure in the nearby sec
tions now being beautifled.
Not only are Mount Vernon Me-
mortal Boulevard and its environs
being improved with this in mind but
Fort Hunt has been under develop
ment as a pleasure spot that eventu-
ally will include a swimming pool, a
golf course, an athletic field, tennis
courts and play fields, to say nothing
Of picnic groves for the accommodation
OF hundreds of visitors.
Fort Hunt is about l mile this side
Of Mount Vernon and the National
Capital Parks Division of the Interior
Department hopes by development of
the fort as a recreational center to
preserve the beauty Of the Mount Ver-
non Boulevard and the immediate en-
virons of the Mount Vernon estate
from the thoughtless invasion Of
picnickers.
Old Fort Hunt reservation was built
during the Spanish-American War
and is said to be the only fortress built
on American soil during the conflict.
It was vacated by the Army in 1882
and turned over to the park system to
become part of the Mount Vernon
Memorial Highway. Now, with its
development as recreational center,
activities along the highway will be
concentrated in this one area and the
memorial character of the highway
itself will thus be preserved.
nIRECTLY across the Potomac from
Fort Hunt is Fort Washington.
which will soon take its place among
the other national parks. At present,
1t Is still occupied by troops of the
Army, but they are scheduled to vacate
In favor OF picnickers, golfers, SWIM
mers and all that blithe band that
hears and obeys, from May through
October, the call of the open road and
has spent most Of their spare time ir
the past searching out a beauty spot
equipped with facilities, where they
Evening star., 1937-05-29

surpassed. 1t will include panoramas
of rolling hills Of the Maryland and
Virginia countryside. the beautiful
gorge and falls of the Potomac River,
sweeping vistas of the river as it
widens out on its way past George
town, Washington and Alexandria to
Mount Vernon and Chesapeake Bay.
Upstream from the Arlington Bridge
one can see, from the present high
way, the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial
Island, formerly Analostan Island.
This island is likewise being developed
as a park and will be dedicated, when
completed, to the beloved "Teddy.'
Approximately one mile south Of the
Highway Bridge underpass is Reaches
Run, fed by streams and now being
developed as the Washington Water
fowl Sanctuary.
WHILE these changes, enlarge
ments and other improvements
are being made within a few miles Of
the National Capital, in the city itself
parks are being made ready for the
Summer invasion of residents and
lContjn,led on Page R-3D
Evening star., 1937-05-29

By ". G. Pollard.
-HE answer to the call of the
great outdoors is to be found
in Camp Let's, the Young
L Mems Christian Association
boys camp on the Rhodes River. near
Annapolis, Md, which opens June 25
Evening star., 1937-02-21
Law Fran,ers Catch q Tartar
In CiuiI Seruice Expansion
Con gressi0naI Leaders Hard at Work
on Problem-IMagnitude of Task
Discussed BY Ramspeck.

thorize the President to blanket" un-
der the civil service any governmental
agency not now covered, the incum-
bents being permitted to keep their
jobs by on-competitive examinations.
Only cabinet jobs. positions filled by
presidential appointment subject to
Senate confirmation, and jobs with
limited terms would be exempt. He
said he thought the bill would be en-
acted this session.
A measure to put all postmasters
under civil service, already has passed
the House and is awaiting Senate
action.
Ramspeck said he expected little
difficulty over giving the President
discretion to determine when various
agencies should be put under civil
service.
1T would be almost impossible to
blanket all these agencies at one time,
and some of them may not be perma-
nent-at least we hope not--so we
have to give the President some dis
cretion."
Ramspeck's bill provides for COM
petitive examinations without regard
to incumbents, but he said this might
not be practicable.
competitive examinations for
100000 jobs might bring out 100000
applications and the cost Of holding
Evening star., 1937-02-21
By tie Associated Press.

By tie Associated PreSS.
How Government workers shall be
brought under civil service is per-
picking the men who write the laws.
The chieftains who would steer
such legislation through Congress say
this is the irksome question, rather
than whether all on-policy-making
jobs should be put under civil service.
The plan, Endorsed by President
Roosevelt and his Executive Depart
ment Reorganization Committee, would
put about 100000 Federal employees
under civil service and raise the ratio
of such jobholders from about so
per cent to 81 or SO per cent.
Chairman Ramspeck of the House
Civil Service Committee called the plan
the biggest civil service movement
since the birth Of the merit system
in 1883 and said it would increase
the efficiency of both Congress and
the executive departments.
when congressman come here they
have a lot of campaign promises to
fill with jobs" he said. They think
they can make a lot of friends and
perhaps build up political machine
by getting jobs.
Questions Patronage Value.
But the longer they are here, the
more they realize that there are no
political values in patronage.
For every Job you may be able
to assign, there may be as many as
500 applicants; you can't help dis
appointing many more people than
you can help.
Maybe if Congressman don't have
to spend so much time on patronage,
they can tend to their legislative
work
Senator Norris, independent, of Ne
braska, who voluntarily gave up most
of his patronage many years ago,
likes to tell about the gratitude"
of political jobholdeR. Once with
out solicitation he recommended a
young attorney for a Government job.
A few months later the attorney
bitterly criticized the Senator for not
getting him better job.
Ramspeck introduced a bill to au-