Evening star., 1941-11-11


monuments of national heroes.
Key workers in scores of Govern
ment defense agencies returned to
their desks as usual today at request
Of William Knudsen, o. P M. direc-
tor, as did employees of the Civil
Service Commission and the Army
and Navy Departments.
Meanwhile. patriotic exercises held
by many organizations were dedi-
Gated to World War dead on the 23d
anniversary of the ArmiStice which
ended the war to end wars" In
addition TO the Presidents address.
and the Legion ceremonies at
Arlington National Cemetery. other
major events included the American
War Mothers program at the Cap
itol, the 29th Division Association
exercises in West Potomac Park, and
the Woodrow Wilson and Disabled
American Veterans services in
Washington Cathedral. Several
Armistice Day balls will be held to-
night in downtown hotels.
Banks Are Closed.
Banks and many Federal offices
remained closed for the national
holiday. although the Merchants
and Manufacturers Association an
nounced that number Of down.
town stores would be open.
At their exercise on the east front
of the Capitol a group of American
War Mothers were told by Repre-
sentative Patman of Texas that the
same obStructing forces TO National
preparedness are abroad in America
today as in 1917.
Before small audience, which
included a number of uniformed Sc
lectees, Mr.. Patman urged the
mothers to take active part in eX-
posing all attempts at teaching. Or
ganizing or spreading propaganda to
foment internal difficulties and slow
up the defense effort.
I'VE sympathize with those who
deal in the doctrine of unprepared
ness through lack OF knowledge y
he said, but We do not Sympathlze
with those who believe in pacifism
and unpreparedness for selfish rea-
sons of their own
Mrs. Martin Gives Talk.
Mrs. Elizabeth Martin. national
president of the mothers, whose
sons took part in World War l,
pledged their love to those who
came back and their prayers to
those who did not
While a chill breeze swept across
the Capitol Plaza. Milton Eckert,
son Of one of the war mothers,
raised the service flag of the organ
ization and the Stars and Stripes on
the pole over the Capitol dome. Mr..
Patman said the mothers are the
sole organization permitted by Con-
gress to do this.
A pledge of allegiance to the flag
vas led by Mrs. Robert Burg. presi-
dent of the District Chapter of the
War Mothers. A bugler played taps,
The Navy School of Music Band,
under Bandmaster J. NJ Thurmond.
played during the program Invoca-
ton was by the Rev. James Shera
Montgomery. chaplain of the House.
Mrs. Florence A. Latham. national
corresponding secretary, announced
the program over the public address
system.
The first ceremony of the day
was held at Gas am. when
Washington Branch, No 7. of the
Society of the Sd Division gathered
at the Tomb of the Unknown Sol
dier. John A. Rees, president of the
group, placed a wreath with divi-
sional insignia on the tomb.
At 1890 a m the Cissel-Saxon and
.Takoma Park Posts of the American
Legion participated in a program
in the Silver Spring Md Armory.
Participating for the first time in
public ceremonies was the Maryland
State Guard.
Special Church Services.
At the same time. in Hyattsville
Md. churches of that community
held joint services at the Hyattsville
Presbyterian Church. with the Rev.
D, Howard Evans presiding.
At Fort Belvoir, Va. Army men
assembled at the post fagpole at
10:45 am. to pay tribute to the
memory of their predecessors in the
service There was a two-minute
period of silence before II m. dur
ing which all activities at the post
halted
At IL am. the national salute of
81 guns was fired and the Garrison
flag was raised from half-staff TO
the top of the staff.
At the same hour, services were
held in many churches in the
District. At St. Thomas Episcopal
Church, Brig. Gen. Frank T. Hines,
director of the Veterans Admins
tration. was the speaker.
Georgetown University held II
am. services, with the Rev. Paul
A. McNally, S. j., director of the
university's observatory. as the
speaker The campus bell tolled 50
times in memory OF GeorgetoWns
war dead
In Rockville. Md, at 1890 pm.
State Guardsmen paraded in front
OF the Court House. Adjt. Gen.
Francis Petrott was the speaker.
A luncheon was scheduled in
Alexandria. preceding the burn
ing of $4,000 mortgage notes
against Gadsbys Tavern. The cere-
monies are sponsored by Post No. "a
of the American Legion National
Legion Comdr Stambaugh will
speak
At 1:l5 pm. at Arlington Gene
terry, wreath was placed on
the Tomb Of the Unknown Soldier
on behalf Of Gen. John J. Pershing
Gen. Pershing will not be present
personally.
The services of the 29th Division
Association will be held at the
memorial to that World War fight
ing organization at pm. and will
be attended by representatives from
all the veterans organiza tions in the
District.
The District dead will be honored
at these ceremonies and Frank B.
Noyes, chairman of the committee
which raised funds to erect the
memorial, will be the principal