Evening star., 1939-07-10

Roosevelt 10 Lead
Mourners al Rites
For Swanson
Services Will Be Held
In Senute Chamber
For Navy Secretary

cial Washington gathered in 4
flower-banked Senate chamber at
pm. today for the state funeral Of
Claude A. Swanson, Secretary Of the
Navy.
Veteran Senate attendants said
the rites probably were the first
state funeral ever held in the cham
ber for a former Senator, others
having been for Senators who died
while still members.
The 77-year-old Virginia, who
rose from grocery clerkship to the
Governorship Of his State, Sen
ate seat and then place in the
Presidents cabinet, died Friday in
the Shenandoah Mountain camp at
Rapidan, Va. He had been in i'll
health for a long time.
The body was taken at 1890
am. from the Naval Hospital Chapel
to the Capitol. to lie in state in the
well of the Senate chamber.
House Will Recess.
Chairs were placed on the Senate
floor for the presidential group,
members Of the Supreme Court, the
cabinet, the diplomatic corps, COM
mittees from the Senate and House
and high-ranking Navy and Army
officers.
Vice President Garner asked the
Senate to meet at 12:45 pm. with
the services to begin IS minutes
later. The House was to meet at
noon and then recess at 12:45 pm.
for the services.
President Roosevelt, close friend
Of Secretary Swanson since the Will
son administration, headed a long
list Of dignitaries who accepted invi-
tations to the services.
After the services, conducted by
Senate Chaplain Ze Barney T. Phil
lips. sailors, soldiers and marines
were to escort the casket on q cais-
son drawn by white horses to q spe-
cial train as 19-gun salutes sounded
here and at naval stations else
where. Burial will be in Hollywood
Cemetery. Richmond, Va.
In the Senate during the services
the Congressional Committee was to
sit in front. flanked by members OF
the diplomatic corps and Army and
Navy heads. The President and his
party were to be the last to enter
the chamber and the first to leave.
The Chief Executives group were
to be located on the rostrum.
While the last rites were being
conducted here all naval vessels
having chaplains, on order of Ad-
miral Claude c. Bloch, also held
services.
The Navy escort. composed of the
Navy Band, a battalion of blue
jackets and battalion of marines,
under the command Of Rear Admiral
w. S. Anderson, formed at 1890
am. at the Navy Yard. Full dress
white uniforms with leggins, black
shoes and mourning badges were
ordered for officers in the funeral
escort.
The procession, on leaving the
Senate wing Of the Capitol, was to
move out Delaware avenue to Union
Station. On removal of the casket
from the caisson there, q blue Jacket
detachment was to- fire three VOL
leys while marine bugler sounded
taps.
The family were to be centered in
the Presidents room, fanked by
Senate and House members on one
side and Navy group on the other
side. The Navy Band with q de-
tachment Of bluejackets and ma
rines and the colors were to be in
formation on the plaza to the left
Of the chamber.
Gov. Price Honorary Pallbearer.
Members of the family disclosed
that Gov. James H. Price had sug-
gested that the body be taken to
the Virginia State Capitol at Rich
mond to lie in state before burial.
The offer was declined, 1t was said,
because 1t was felt that a change
In the arrangements would impose
an additional strain on Mrs. Swan
son.
Forty-eight prominent Virginians,
including the Governor, will serve
as honorary pallbearers late today
at the burial services. The funeral
train Is expected to reach Rich
mond about $50 pm. The burial
in the Swanson family plot will be
conducted by Navy chaplain.
Honorary pallbearers there include
Capt. w. D. Cardwell, Richmond;
State Senator Henry T. Wickham,
Hanover; Judge j. Turner Clement,
Chatham; N. E. Clement, Chatham;
DR.. Bennett, Chatham; John w.
Carter, Danville; State Senator w.
A. Garrett, Ridgeway; Kennon c.
Whittle, Martinsville; Col. M. S.