Evening star., 1938-01-30
PRESIDENT THANKS
B|RTHDAyDANCERS
AT 1900 PARTIES
Expresses Gratitude as
Fund to Aid Crippled Chill
dren Nears 100000.
MOVIE STARS APPEAR
AT SEVEN HOTELS HERE
Mrs. Roosevelt Makes Rounds Of
Bathrooms and Cuts 100.Pound
Cake at Willard.

President Roosevelt told the thou.
sands celebrating his birthday
throughout the Nation last night
that his heart went out in gratitude
to them for their help in making it
possible to start a united crusade
against the scourge of infantile
paralysis.
1T IS glorious thing 10 have ones
birthday associated with a work like
this" the President said.
His message, broadcast from the
White House. was directed especially
to those attending $4,000 birthday
balls" throughout the country and to
the more than 10000 others who had
sent contributions directly to the
White House
As Mr. Roosevelt spoke, seven hotel
bathrooms here were. crowded with
Washingtonians who had paid $3.50
each for admittance to gala parties
where they had personal glimpses Of
Mrs. Roosevelt and a galaxy of motion
picture stars from Hollywood who ap-
peared at each of the parties briefly
during the evening.
Stars Appear at Theaters.
The screen celebrities later made
personal appearances at midnight
stage shows at the Capitol and Earle
Theaters, where the admittance was
only 81.
They were to wind up their part in
the Presidents birthday celebration
early today as honor guests at q S25
gold plate" breakfast at the Carlton
Hotel.
Proceeds from these affairs-expect-
ed to approximate $50.000-ard nu-
merous smaller parties in the city, as
well as thousands of other balls over
the Nation, will go to the new Ma
tional Foundation for 1nfantile Pa
ralysis for redistribution among COM
munities according to their needs In
the anti-infantile paralysis crusade.
The total fund is expected to approxi-
mate 100000.
President Roosevelt recalled that his
birthday had been the occasion for
similar celebrations since 1884 and
that many splendid results have been
accomplished" in establishing facilities
for combattin. the disease.
Roosevelt Expresses Gratitude.
1--WE have learned much during these
years." he said in his brief radio ad.
dress, ''and when, therefore, I was told
by the doctors and scientists that
much could be gained by the estab-
lishment of this new National Foun-
dation for Infantile Paralysis. I was
happy, indeed. to lend my birthday to
this united effort
Expressing his gratitude to all who
aided the splendid work" by attend
ing the birthday balls" or sending
direct contributions, the President
added:
"One touch of nature makes the
whole world kin. And that kinship,
which human suffering evokes, is per-
haps the closest of all, for we know
that those who work to help the suf-
fering find their true spiritual fellow
ship in that labor of love-"
Mr. Roosevelt, who himself suffered
an attack OF infantile paralysis II
years ago. was described by his per.
soma! physician, DR.. Ross T. McIntire,
as ''in fine shape" on the eve OF his
Seth birthday anniversary, which was
celebrated last night because 1t oc.
ours on SUNDAY this wear.
Exercise Keeps Him Fit.
Since the President took once in
1888, his weight has varied not more
than pounds from his normal l84,
DR.. Mc1ntire reported. Regular ex-
ercise has kept him At, the doctor
added.
Mr.. Roosevelt's radio address fol.
lowed a birthday dinner at the White
House with his family and members
OF the Cuff Links Club. old friends
who have received gold cuff links from
the President in recognition Of their
close association In campaigns since
he was Assistant Secretary Of the
Navy.
The climax Of Mrs Roosevelt's round
Of visits to the Birthday Balls" at
the Shoreham, Mayfiower, Washing.
ton, Wardman Park. Hamilton, Ra-
leigh and Willard Hotels came at the
Willard, where she cut q 100-pound
birthday cake presented to her for
the President by the Bakers Union.
Crowds Peer at Mrs. Roosevelt.
Crowds lined the sidewalks at the
entrances as Mrs. Roosevelt and the
visiting Hollywood stars moved swiftly
from one party to the other, under
police motor cycle escort. The Army,
Navy, Marine Corps, Police and Fire
Department joined forces in efforts
to keep order among the thronss Of
autograph seekers at the balls and
give everybody . chance to sec the
famous visitors.
The Hollywood contingent included
Janet Gaynor, Eleanor Powell, Joe
e. Brown, Mr.. and Mrs. Fredric March,
Louise Fazenda, Ray Bolger, Patricia
Bowman. Maria Gamberelli, Ken Mur.
ray. Vera Zorina, Anthony Labriola
and the juvenile stars, Tommy Kelly
and Ann Gillis.
Camersman Falls In Crowd.
Newsreel cameras were concentrated
at the Willard to record Mrs. Roose-
velt's cutting Of the huge birthday
cake. She sliced it without comment
at 11:15 pm, As police and Secret
Service men strove to keep the crowd
from jostling her.
The well-meaning throng was kept
ut q safe distance, but . newspaper
photographer and . bystander we're
victims Of the jam Just as Mrs. Roose-
welt raised the cake knife. The pho
toRrapher climbed onto 4 chair In