Evening star., 1938-07-05
MORE THAN 75,0DO
VIEW FIREWORKS
IN CLIMAX TO 4TH
Cummings Tells Crowd That
No Living Institution Is
Ever Finished.
ASSERTS u. S. FACES
LONG ROAD TOTRAVEL
Display Called Greatest Since
That Given to Lindbergh.
New Stunts Shown.
pictures on Page A-2.)

- ~" Go Wv ~tc A-Sr
More than $4,000 persons, gathered
last night at the Monument grounds
for the annual fireworks display, were
told by Attorney General Cummings
that America was not finished when
the Declaration Of Independence was
signed" and mo living institution Is
ever finished"
Before they witnessed the most Law
ish display of fireworks in recent
years, those present were cautioned
by Mr.. Cummings that although the
United States has risen from being
the child among nations" to a giant
among nations" America still has 4
long road Of improvement to travel.
Every decade has presented its
insistent and peculiar problems =.
Let those who are fearful of the fate
Of our country or who give way to
pessimism in the face Of inevitable
and necessary change, or who are
apprehensive Of the effects Of sub
versive doctrines originating here and
abroad, turn their thoughts to the
practical means whereby America
may be made q better and better
place to live in.
Holds Work Never Done.
"Our work is never done. No rigid
formula for the solution of human
problems IS ever apt to be devised.
The teachings Of history repeatedly
admonish us that what one period
regards IS radical another comes to
consider as conservative.
Nothing is happening to America
except that it is growing" he said.
Mr.. Cummings quoted John Adams
as saying: 1T (the signing of the
Declaration) ought to be solemnized
with pomp and parade, with shows,
games, guns, bells, bonfires and il
luminations from one end of this con-
tinent to the other, from this time
forward forevermore.
In the words of Albert Clyde Bur-
ton, assistant superintendent of Ma
tional Capital Parks in charge of rec
xeation, who has seen rs years of
fireworks displays and has managed
ell the Monument grounds celebra-
tions, 1t was the greatest display
since the one We gave Lindbergh."
Unusual Ground Pieces.
Several new fancy fireworks pieces
were in evidence. especially those on
the ground. A feet Of miniature bat
Neships fired salvos OF exploding lights
while Uncle Sam, outlined in flames,
looked on. A bicycle race with the
wheels" similarly outlined brought
excited response from throngs of chill
dren, and darting fiery comets which
raced between poles about IS yards
apart brought screams of delight.
There was the usual accompaniment
Of rockets which exploded into vari-
colored showers of lights or whirling
imps which chased each other against
. moonlight sky filled with feecy
clouds.
AS in last years program, George
Washington and President Roosevelt
were outlined in lights, and . fiery
duck laid an egg from which popped
duckling to follow her from the
Aeld turning somersaults the while
Pinwheels screamed skyward while
explosions Of aerial bombs temporarily
deafened the audience.
Seat Sale May Pay Bill
The fireworks cost around $2,500.
While . final report on the sale of
seats on the Monument Grounds had
not been received today by the citi-
sens committee in charge, indications
were that receipts would be suficient
10 pay for the display.
Some 10000 seats were sold at rs
cents each.
Every year the committee in charge
orders the fireworks and pays for
them, Is = rule, from the seat sale.
Business men underwrite the project,
however, in case bad weather di-
minishes the crowd and receipts fail
to meet expenses. An ideal night
brought . virtual sell-out Of seats
this Fourth, although many thousands
Of other spectators watched the show
from free vantage points on the
grassy slopes.
District National Guardsmen under
Col. John w. Oehmann, park police
and Boy Scouts handled the huge
crowd without . hitch. More than
so children became lost in the shuttle,
but all were claimed by their parents
after the celebration was over. First
aid tents stood by, ready but unused
The celebration was prehxed by .
procession of flags borne by repre-
sentatives Of patriotic and veterans
organizations, accompanied by music
Of the United States Marine Band.
Following the invocation, delivered
by DR.. Henry w. Snyder, pastor OF
st. Paul's Lutheran Church, the nag
In front of the speakers stand waa
raised by q soldier, . sailor and .
marine and the crowd repeated the
pledge to the Flag"
After Introductory remarks by G.
Marshall Finnan, superintendent of
National Capital parks and chairman
Of the Executive Committee in charge
Of the celebration, came Mr.. Cum
mings' speech followed by . reading Of
the Declaration Of Independence by
Representative A. Willis Robertson Of
Virginia.
Scouts Rear Torches.
Next came q march of torch.
bearers, Boy Scouts carrying red flares,
while the Fort Stevens Drum and
Bugle Corps played.
The initial ceremony was completed
with the playing Of ''The Star spangled
Banner" by the Marine Band, on the
last note of which the flagshell was
fred skyward and the fun began.
Park police said afterward the usua1
trafic jam ensued but that cars had
become well thinned out in half an
hour.
Today remains only the Job of
cleaning up the more than eight
tons Of Newspaper and scattered pop
bottles which litter the Monument
grounds.