Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-29
w. J. Hoffman, Jr.

Significant of the unanimity of
the Nation in supporting this pre-
paredness program, the President
| read letters of Endorsement from
the spokesman of three faiths
Protestant, Jewish and Catholic.
Speaking for the Protestant faith
was DR.. George A. Buttrick, presi-
dent of the Federal Council of the
Churches of Christ in America; for
the Jewish, DR.. Edward l.. Israel
president of the Synagogue Council
of America, and for the Catholic,
the Most Rev. Francis J. Spellman,
bishop of the Catholics in the Army
and Navy of the United States.
Offers Solemn Assurances.
In answer to them the President
offered three solemn assurances.
Your Government is mindful"
be said, 'of it's profound RESPONSE
bility to and for all the young men
who will be called to train for our
national service.
Your Government is aware that
not only do these young men repre-
sent the future of our country; they
are the future. They must profit as
men by this one year of experience
as soldiers. They must return to
civilian life strong and healthy, and
self-respecting and decent and free.
Your Govrnment will devote it's
every thought, its every energy to
the cause that is common to all of
us-the maintenance of dignity, the
prosperity and the peace of our
country
Secretary Stimson arrived at 11:45
and walked. forward with Col. Nor
rls to examine the goldfish bowl,
which had been covered with paper.
The Secretary wore a plain business
suit of dark gray, with the coat
closely buttoned. The Army officers
from Selective service headquarters
who were on the stage arranging
final details all were in multi, pre-
serving the civilian direction and
atmosphere of the draft program.
Assisting American Legionnaires
gave a splash of color with the dark
blue uniforms of their organization.
Applause Greets President.
The hall was we'll filled as the
hour of the lottery struck and addi-
tional spectators began to crowd In
at the sides and back. Admission
was only by invitation issued by the
director of the selective service,
although selective service officials
announced that no man with reg
istration receipt would be refused
entrance as long as there was stand
ing room left.
Secretaries Knox and Morgenthau
arrived and stood at the back of the
stage as photographers flashed pre-
liminary pictures. With them were
DR.. Dykstra and Chairman Sheppard
Of the Senate Military Affairs Com
mittee.
The ornate chandeliers hanging
from the lofty ceiling flashed on and
the Kleig lights from the news reel
cameras trained a flood of brilliance
on the stage.
Applause greeted the arrival Of
the President on the arm of his
military aide, Brig. Gen. Edwin NJ
Watson.
Ladies and gentlemen, said DR.
Dykstra, "the President Of the United
States"
No Martial Entrance.
The stage was crowded with Of
ficials and Secret Service men as
the President spoke. Two uniformed
policemen stood at his left, directly
in front of the lottery bowl, above
and to the left of which the Chief
Executive talked into the micro
phones of all the broadcasting sys-
TENS.
A hush fell over the thronged
hall as the President made his
brief address. There was only the
faint sound of newsreel cameras
grinding out the scene.
There was another swell of ap-
plause as the President completed
his speech, and Col. Morris drew
the covering from the bowl.
Although the Army Band was lined
up in front of the Departmental