Evening star., 1938-06-19

The Star American Legion soap BOX
Derby today entered Roundup
Week" which was proclaimed by Derby
Director o. c. Holleran for the pur-
pUse of swelling the list of candidates
for the midsummer coaster racer COM
petition.
up Throughout the metropolitan area
Of youths between the ages of and
15swho are eligible for the derby.
Mr. Holleran, who is chairman of
the Americanism Commission of the
District American Legion, declared
he had found scores of boys who plan
to enter the race or have even begun
building their racing cars, but have
not registered" These boys, he con-
tinued, ARE particularly the ones we
want to get into the derby family
right now"
."Lets put two and two together"
he Said by way of illustration. School
Is out the middle of this week, and
the Washington derby is little more
than a month off. That means now
Is the time for all boys who are eli
to Scome in with their application
blanks and get to work"
Flew Combat Plane.
Mr. Holleran, who flew combat
plane for the Royal Air Force of Great
Britain in France during the World
War, declared he would appoint fly
ing squadrons' of American Legion
nairies to do roundup duty among
the boys.
"A lot of boys are on the fence
as far as the derby is concerned" he
pointed out. They ought to enter
now anS really find out what they
are missing" He predicted a record
number of new derby aspirants this
week. especially after Wednesday
when the schools close for the summer
vacation season.
The derby director expressed his ap-
probation to parents, club leaders,
school officials and the Community
Center Department for cooperation
in making the event success and
urged them to join the big roundup
of boys" He also called on derby
candidates to get their friends to
enter
Meanwhile, the boys themselves are
receiving more and more encourage
ment to get into the derby swim.
Treasury Post No. 35 of the American
Legion has voted to sponsor two boys
in Washingtons first derby, tenta-
lively set for July 23 Moving pictures
of the 1887 National Soap Box Derby
at Akron, Ohio, were run at the posts
meeting last week
Post Shows Enthusiasm.
"Our post showed much enthusiasm
In backing these boys and wish it
known that we are behind the Soap
Box Derby 100 per cent" said William
T. Slattery, post commander.
The Past Commanders Association
of the District Department Of the Le-
gion and Kenna Main Post also have
voted to sponsor one boy each in the
derby. In each case of sponsorship,
the post or association will select a
boy and pay his expenses on building
soap box racer. The cost is limited
to $40, but it is not actually necessary
to spend anywhere near this sum.
Many boys are getting their lumber
and their metal parts about their own
homes and neighborhoods and the
nearest junkyard.
Mr.. Holleran especially urged all
Legion posts that have voted to spon-
sor boys to notify him Immediately.
He offered to extend help, wherever
desired, in selecting boys for such
sponsorships
Jelleff Encourages Boys.
Stanleigh Jenkins, vocational direc-
tor OF the Boys Club of Washington,
predicted possible entry list of 21
youths from among the clubs men,
bership. Several boys are working on
their cars in the workshop of the
clubs Central Branch. The most in
terest has been displayed by members
OF the Southeast Branch, and approx
mately Is of them are constructing
racers at home.
This movement within the club has
the support and encouragement of
Club President Frank r. Jelleff who
Is member of the Derby Executive
Committee.
Roundup Week applies Just as
much for the suburban area as for
Washington" Mr.. Holleran said I'VE
want boys in nearby Maryland to
feel that they are 100 per cent well
come in the ranks of derby entries"
DR.. E. w. Broome, superintendent
of schools of Montgomery County,
Nd. announced yesterday that bows
IN the suburban area of the county
may, upon application to the County
Board of Education, be allowed to
work on their racers in the manual
training workshops Of Leland, Tako-
ma-Silver Spring and North Wood
slde Junior High Schools and Bethes-
da-CheVy Chase High School.
Boy Broadcast Series.
The series of boy broadcasts" to
relate Derby preparations will con-
tinue over Station VOL today when
John Crowell, u, of 1910 C street s.W.,
Jefferson Junior High student, is in
terviewed by Announcer Walter Comp
ton at AS o'clock this afternoon.
Tomorow's boy broadcaster will be
Lamont Sullivan, is, of zoos Four
teenth street Sc, Anacostia Junior
High student. He will be interviewed
over VOL at tbs pm. '.-
The radio audience last night heard
William Wilkinson, Is, of 329 Eight