Evening star., 1939-06-18
NotabIes Pitch Hav
As Hines Gives
Party for $50
Workers Don OveruIIs,
See Bouts and Hear
Entertainers
y . Stan Correspondent Of The Star.

Americas largest and by far most
important alfalfa crop was harvest
ed mile out of this town to-
day, on the historic farm of Joe
Hines, argiculturist and former
member of the House of Repre-
sentatives.
Led by United States Senator
Tom Connally, Democrat, of Texas,
some $50 farm hands-al members
of the Alfalfa Club of Washington
donned overalls and broad -brimmed
straw hats to rake and NOW what
the English call purple medic"
under broiling sun.
BY nightfau, when the last rays
Of the sun fell behind the sur
rounding mountains, approximately
500 tons of alfalfa had been stored
for the evening in the spacious
barns that adorn Prospect Hall,
Joe Hines farm.
Frederick town never witnessed
anything quite like the pageantry
that went through its narrow streets
today when carload after car
load Of national and State legis-
latures, Broadway theatrical celeb
rites, Washington businessmen,
lawyers, doctors and a former
heavyweight champion of the world
Gene Tunney-turned from Main
street into the Harpers Ferry road,
bound for the alfalfa fields.
Diplomats Attend.
Prospect Hall, on a beautiful
knoll outside the township, was be-
decked with American fags-fes-
tooned along the driveways to greet
the guests, some of whom came from
foreign lands. There were diplo-
mats from many countries.
Instead of going immediately
into the sun-drenched fields, the
guests were invited into the manor
house to put on the garb of dirt
farmers.
Flrst-aid stations had been erect
ed along the roadway and many
stops were made before the farm
hands took to the fields; but first
of all they had entertainment and
in big-league fashion.
A boxing match, between welter-
weights, was staged with one of
the grandest assemblages of celebri-
ties that ever graced the inside
and outside of a prize ring. Gene
Tunney was referee of the match.
Judges were Senator Adams of Col
orado and Representative TreadWay
of Massachusetts,. Senator AShurst
of Arizona was timekeeper. Sec
onds for the fighters were Senator
Hatch of New Mexico and Repre-
sentative Martin of Massachusetts,
In the midst of all the celebrities
the two boys who battled to tie
were Buddy Wagner, an active 1872
FOUNDER, and Killer Cummings, who
weighed in at l26.
Finnish Minister Stake Holder.
Previous to the fights there had
been two sets of battle royals, one
where the colored lads fought blind
folded and with only one gloved
hand each, the other hands tolling
bells that bade opponents to come
and get it."
For all the matches stake holder
was appointed and Senator Ash
urst made the announcement. I'VE
must appoint the Minister from
Finland, for he is the only man
who can be trusted with the
money"
When the fights were over, 25-
piece band, under the leadership of
Dave Hagan, prominent musician of
Frederick, led the march to the
alfalfa fields The enthusiasts, with
pitchforks and rakes, walked through
powered fence to get to the
alfalfa-and once there the farmers
set to work with vengeance
Gene Buck, president of the
Alfalfa Club, accompanied by sena-
tor Connally. were the only two
persons privileged to ride to the
alfalfa fields-and they made the
journey in an old-fashioned open
barouche that once saw service on
Pennsylvania avenue, back in the
Grant administration.
So that none of the farmers would
be too exhausted after their strenu-
GUS work in the fields, the swimming
pool on the estate was thrown open
to them-and they swan. and dived,
and kicked up their heels like school,
boys on vacation-down at the Ole
Swimmin' Hole.
A Circus Is Provided.
Also, the host had provided a
circus, staged by Capt. Carl Clark,
an old circus man who brought along
all sorts Of sawdust attractions
dancing dogs, performing ponies.
even trained razor-backed hogs-and
a policeman clown.
Steve" the peanut vendor of the
White House, left his post on Execu-
tive avenue for the day and gave
away his wares free to the hard
workers of the field. AS a reward. Mr..
Hines gave Steve a goodly portion
OF the alfalfa crop.
From the fields and the swimming
pools the guests went to spacious
tables that dotted the lawn in front
OF the mansion house at Prospect
Hall.
Just before the meal was served
the three flags that flew from the
giant flag pole in front of the house
the flags of the Alfalfa, Maryland
and the United States of America
were lowered with appropriate
ceremony.
Buck Introduces Performers.
Then Gene Buck, president of the
Alfalfa Club of the American So
ciety Of Composers and Authors,
introduced his performers, brought
down from New York.
First to win the applause was
Conrad Thibaut, who led off with
Sylvia" Song of My Heart" "Old
Man River" and ended with the
Song of Alfalfa. Others on the pro-
gram were Serge Flash, juggler;
the Five Radio Rubes and Bob
Willis, who told some tall tales.
Tom Brahany, always in charge