Evening star., 1939-12-16
High Praise Heaped
On Knee-Hi al
Farewell Luncheon
Prominent Speakers
Cite Effectiveness
Of Sofety Campaign

High-ranking District officials,
civic leaders and safety leaders yes
terday attended a luncheon at the
Willard Hotel in honor of Knee-Hi,
the little canine safety teacher,
whose visit to Washington began
September 20 and ended officially at
the John Eaton School shortly
before the testimonial affair.
Knee-Hi herself was somewhat
immune to praise and languidly
slipped water from some of the hotels
best glassware while M. O. Eldridge,
assistant traffic director, announced
accidents to children of school age
for six weeks beginning in mid
November this year were 81 per cent
less than last year. He attributed
this decrease largely to Knee-Hi's
influence.
Knee-Hi was not so immune to
stylish harness and leash presented
her by Washington I. Cleveland,
manager of the District Motor
Club of the American Automobile
Association, which sponsored the
luncheon. The inscription in ad-
dition to the date and identification
said: For grand work in child
safety education"
Mr.. Cleveland said her demonstra-
tions were an inspiring sight
Express Thanks to Star.
Police Inspector L. I. H. Edwards
E1,.oy 10
lou expressed appreciation to The
Star for sponsoring the program
here and Dr. Ballou also thanked
the police and traffic authorities
who with the Board of Education
co-operated in the project.
Inspector Edwards said he was
convinced a lot of valuable edu-
cation had been obtained by the
children from the program. DR..
Ballou said it was "eminently worth
while and highly successful' and
cited good effect on the parents.
DR.. George E. Brunson, Knee-Hi's
teacher, expressed sorrow that the
program here was over and thanked
the various agencies for their fine
cooperation.
Speaking for The Star, B. M. Nc
Kelway managing editor, outlined
the circumstances which led to
Knee-Hi's visit to the Capital He
spoke of an early skepticism, which
other speakers also admitted, that
later changed to approval as he
saw the reaction of the children to
the program and noted the re-
actions from parents and teachers.
I'VE hope it has done some good"
he concluded.
John L. Vandegrift, vice chairman
OF the advisory board of the motor
club, presided until the presentation
at which time he turned the gavel
over to Mr.. Cleveland Mr.. Vande-
grift spoke of the progress made in
child safety as "a magnificent CO.
operative effort"
Accident Drop Cited.
The statistics supplied by Mr..
Eldridge placed the number of ac-
cidents to children of school age at
116 during the siX-week period from
November last year to early Decem-
Among the high ranking District
officials present were Commissioner
David McCoach, jr; Corporation
Counsel Elwood Seal and Highway
Director H. C. Whitehurst, and
Thomas E. Lodge. chairman of the
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
In addition there were civic leaders,
A. A. A. officials and prominent
women leaders.
At the Eaton School earlier the
demonstration was inside and re-
ceived an enthusiastic reception
from the some 200 youngsters,
smattering of parents and teachers
and a cat.
At the close of the program the
cat was taken up to the stage and
introduced to Knee-Hi, who al
though she hates motorcycles, likes
cats.
The little dogs appearance was
arranged with the co-operaton of
Mrs. L. w. Goodall, principal of the
school
Knee-Hi also received yesterday
an album of poems and safety pic
lures written and drawn by the
children of the Ludlow School.
Visited 104 Schools.
From September 20, when she
opened at the Thomson School, to
yesterdays program at the Eaton,
Knee-Hi appeared at 104 schools,
public. private and parochial. OF