Evening star., 1937-02-23
RO0SEVE[TL0SES
ESCORT OF POLICE
Leaves Scheduled Route to
Take Kin Home From
Mount Vernon.

President Roosevelts characteristic
OF doing the unexpected and contro-
yersy between Senators on George
Washington's foreign policy combined
Yesterday with clear, brisk weather to
enliven the National Capitals OBJ
servance Of the 2O5th anniversary OF
Washington's birth.
After a motor trip to Mount Vernon,
where his wreath was laid at the TOMB
of the First President, Mr.. Roosevelt
climaxed the day when he lost park
police escort and bafled correspondents
as his car left the beaten path in
Alexandria to escort home a distant
relative and old neighbor.
The President met his relative, Mrs.
L. c. S. Hambley, who formerly lived
in Dutchess County, N. Y, at the
Mount Vernon ceremonies and invited
her to ride home in the official car. Her
identity was not learned until after the
presidential caravan had left her resi-
dence.
Park Police Led Way.
Five park policemen on motor cycles
led the way along Mount Vernon Me-
mortal Highway on the return trip. The
party turned at the George Washington
Masonic Memorial and half mile
further the Presidents car turned left
on a dirt road while the police escort
went straight ahead, later finding itself
all alone. The officers turned around
and caught up, apparently somewhat
f1uStered. Meanwhile, the Presidents
car rolled up the driveway of Mrs.
Hambley's home and the President told
her good-by when she alighted in front
OF her door.
Motoring to Mount Vernon over q
highway lined with thousands Of holi-
day spectators, the President stood in
silent tribute at pm. at the vine
covered tomb of the first President
while his aides placed upon the tomb
q simple wreath tied with a broad
ribbon of red, white and blue.
Several hundred of the $500 pilgrims
who visited the Nations shrine re-
manned past the closing time for Mr..
Roosevelt's arrival. The presidential
party drove up while the bell an
nouncing the closing of the grounds
was ringing. The assistant superin-
tendent of Mount Vernon. T. c. Wall,
extended the visiting time in order
not to disappoint those who came to
see the President.
Silence Osberved at Tomb.
Complete silence was observed at
the tomb of THE Father of His Coun-
try" except for the clicking of news
reel cameras for which Mr.. Roosevelt
posed
Col. Harrison H. Dodge. veteran GUS
todian of Mount Vernon for So years,
was unable to be present on account
of illness. The President expressed
regret at his absence and asked Asst.
Supt. Wall to convey this message:
Give him my love and tell him I'll be
down TO see him as soon as 1t gets
warmer"
The largest delegation to pay its
respects at Washington's Tomb was
q group from Washington Centennial
Lodge No. IA. Several veterans
groups made pilgrimages to Mount
Vernon.
Assistant Secretary of State r.
Walton Moore paid tribute to the first
President in a Washington birthday
celebration in Memorial Continental
Hall, where 800 members Of the
D. A. r. and its allied groups were
assembled. Mrs Harry K. Daugherty,
national chairman of the D. A. r.
Radio Committee, conducted the
D. A. r. radio program over national
network from 6 to $50 pm.
Delegations from the Daughters,
Sons and Children Of the American
Revolution and other organizations
visited the Washington Monument
during the day to lay at its base
wreaths and flowers in tribute to
Washington. President Roosevelt sent
\ wreath to the monument early in
the day.
Library Corner Stone Laid.
At Alexandria the corner stone of
the new public library was laid with