Evening star., 1938-05-31
THOUSANDSHONOR
HEROES OF WAR
Senator Walsh Speaks at
Main Exercises at
Arlington.

green slopes of Arlington Cemetery
today-testaments to the Memorial
Day homage the Nation paid yester-
day to the thousands who have died
In defense of their country.
The poppies marked the graves of
war heroes. Beside each headstone
yesterday a small American flag
waved, and all day long relatives of
the dead warriors walked sorrowfully
and proudly about the cemetery
grounds.
A wreath sent by President Roose-
welt was foremost among the flowers
placed at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, white marble block in the
center of the cemetery behind the
Arlington Ampitheater.
Ampitheater Crowded.
Thousands crowded the ampithea-
ter in the afternoon, some sitting, most
monies arranged by the G. A. R. Me-
mortal Day Corp, which was formed
through the cooperation of the
Grand Army of the Republic, the
United Spanish War Veterans. Vet
Grams of Foreign Wars and the Amer
lean Legion.
A cool wind blew under a cloudy
sky from which no rain came-perfect
weather for the 10000 visitors in
Washington for the Memorial Day
week end. At least tenth of these
out-of- -towners visited the cemetery.
While they were walking about
among the graves and monuments
overhead few four Civil War veterans
in Pennsylvania Central transport
plane painted blue and gray in honor
Of Civil War dead buried below.
TIE four veterans were Pvt William
H. Jackson. 95, of New York; Col. H.
C. Rizer "a, of 1464 Belmont street
NV; Pvt. w. R. Wilson, 95, of 3540
Walder street NV and Sergt. Peter
Pierre Smith. "a, of 619 G street NE.
In the clouds several thousand feet
above the cemetery, these four told
Nationwide radio audience of their
experiences during the Civil War and
answered the questions on the days
significance asked by the National
Broadcasting Co. announcers in
charge of the broadcast.
They were in the air IS minutes
Mr.. Jackson flew down from New York
for the ceremony and returned later
the same way.
The amphitheater ceremonies began
at l pm. They had their climax in
the speech of Senator Walsh, Demo-
crat, of Massachusetts,, who warned
the country to keep out of foreign
alliances and to guard it at home
from the enemies of democracy.
In another ceremony at Battle
Ground National Cemetery, Harry B.
Fleharty. special assistant to the At
e torney General, denounced war and
declared World War sacrifices were
not made in vain.
70th Anniversary of Day.
1t was the 10th anniversary of the
first Memorial Day. The observance
was initiated by Maj. Gen. John A.
Logan, commander of the G. A. R.,
"for the purpose of strewing with
flowers, or otherwise decorating, the
graves of comrades who died in de-
fense of their country during the late
rebellion"
Floral tributes were placed on the
graves of Benjamin F. Gilbert, founder
of Takoma Park and Wilmer G.. Platt,
first master of Takoma Lodge, No. %,
F. A. A. M, and Angus Lamond,
pioneer resident, at noon yesterday
by delegation representing the Ia
koma Park Cd. C.-Md) Citizens Asso-
citation, of which they were early
members.
The grave of Mr. Lamond was Wis
tied first in Rock Creek Cemetery,
followed by those of Mr.. Gilbert and
Mr.. Platt in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
where silent tribute was paid while
flowers were being strewn over their
graves. Mr.. Gilbert founded the town
November "a, 1888, when title to the
vast tract passed into his possession
and preparation was made for laying
out the town. Mr. Platt was Mayor
of Takoma Park, Md, from 1905 to
1912 and again from 1917 to 1920.
A policy of strongly armed neutral
ity is the course for the United States
to follow in world ruled by force,
Senator Walsh said at Arlington.
Democracy was never at so low an
ebb and in such peril throughout the
world" he said
"Regrettable as it is, the inescapable
fact is that we are living in a world
where truth, justice and moral stand
ards have been disregarded, and force
has become the dominating factor in
determining the destinies of peoples
and nations"
Senator Walsh, who is chairman of
the Senate Naval Affairs Committee,
said it was this world situation which
had necessitated the recent authorize
ton for a 20 per cent increase in the
Navy.
Mr.. Walsh said that a policy OF
strict neutrality could not alone pre-
vent this country's ENHANCEMENT in
war. He added that the translation Of
neutrality in theory into strict i'm
partiality in practice was not simple.
Mayor Attends Ceremony.
Participating in the Takoma exer-
cises yesterday was former Mayor John
3. Kinnear, who served from 1902 to
1906 and was one of the early presidents
Of the association and its first treas
urer in March, 1889. Also in attend
ance was John r. Adams, present
Mayor of Takoma Park, and former
Councilman L. r. Grabill, who served
with Mr. Kinnear Others in the
delegation included DR.. William A.
Hooker, chairman of the Memorial
and Historical Committee of the asso-
citation; Walter Trey, secretary of the
Takoma Park Citizens Association;
John w. Coccman, ST., former secre-
tary of the Takoma Park Chamber Of
Commerce; 1t. Howard S. Fisk,
q. S. NJ, retired, member of the asso-
citation; Mrs. John r. Adams, Mrs.
William A. Hooker, Allan Hooker,
Charles Hooker, Miss Ellanora Adams,
Mrs. Mary Lanond White and Miss
Mary j. white.