Evening star., 1941-07-05

information of the Office of Emer-
gency Management. yesterday told
the Association of Oldest Inhab-
itants that actual mass produc-
ton" of defense materials was NOV
ing over factory assembly lines as
the United States prepared to meet
the challenge of dictatorship face
to face, with our two fists in front
of u.s.
To-day free men everywhere are
threatened as they have never been
threatened before" he declared.
The speaker warned his hearers,
assembled in their traditional Fourth
of July celebration at Old Union
Engine House, not to be confused
by statements that invasion Of the
United States by foreign enemy
is impossible"
That seems to me one of the most
dangerously extravagant state
ments which could be made at this
time" said Mr.. Horton.
Cites Billions for Liberty.
Reporting on the progress of the
defense effort in the United States,
the speaker said there had been
appropriated or authorized by Con-
gress funds considerably in excess
of $4,000, 600, 900, including amounts
for subsistence and pay rolls as
well as materiel Army and Navy
contracts for equipment and sup
plies. he said. amount to approx
mately $4,000 100000. other de-
fense agencies have contracts out
standing in excess of $4,000, 900 900,
and lease-lend ALLEGATIONS and Brit
ish orders exceed $4,000, ,00O, 900. In
the fiscal year closed June 80, Mr..
Horton said, the United States has
spent nearly $4,000, 100000.
"If we are to maintain our in
dependence" the speaker empha-
Sized" you and I will have to work
for it, perhaps even fight for it.
Fred A. Emery, vice president Of
the association. who presided, called
attention of Congress to the vote
less plight of Washingtonians
LAS all America observes this In
dependence Day." he said, I'VE hark
back to the days when free men
fought for their ideals of American
liberty. We encompass the years
that have intervened during which
every other American community
has enjoyed the freedom Of the
ballot box as we'll as the freedom of
speech and the freedom of the press.
We cannot but recall that we
today have neither vote nor voice
In the halls Of Congress, no freedom
Of expression in that forum that
appropriates the money that we
raise, and that passes on the well
fare, present and future, of the
greatest community in the history
Of the world.
1--WE would once more remind
Congress and the Nation that the
taxpayers of Washington who have
sublime faith in Government are
alone amongst all in the Nation as
the only responsible group of citi-
zens in America who are denied the
elective franchise, the right OF rep
resentation in the two houses of
a Congress that spends the funds
that the patriotic taxpaying citi-
zens of Washington rs.ise to aid
in the upkeep of not only WASH
ington as city, but for the MAIN
tenance of the Federal Govern
ment everywhere"
Tribute Paid to Flag.
Charles H. Bates chairman of the
Entertainment Committee, who in
troduced the participants in the
patriotic part of the program, paid
tribute to the American flag.
Jesse c. Suter read the Declara-
ton of Independence.
An original patriotic poem by
John Clagett Proctor, senior vice
president, who is i'll at his home, was
read by John B. Dickman, sr.
John Jay DAILY, author of "A Toast
to the Flag" sketched the story of
this poem, and recited it, with his
5-year-old daughter, Eileen, dressed
in red, white and blue, standing
nearby.
Bill Coyle, radio director of The
Star, sang several patriotic songs,
accompanied by Miss Mesa Scarry.
Mr.. Coyle, accompanied by Howard
Acton, composer of music to Wave
the Flag, America" sang this num-
ber, which he is presenting as a
feature of the Capitol Theater stage
show this week.
Acting President Emery appoint
ed a Committe on Civilian Defense
to represent the association in CO.
operation with Federal and local au-
thorities. The committee consists of
Mr.. Suter, chairman; Mr.. Proctor,
L. A. Carruthers, Mr.. Dickman, MIR.
Bates, George Pitt, Charles j. CO.
lumbus and James II. Duhamel and
Theodore w. Noyes, president Of the
association, ex-ofncio.
John r. woodward. % yoARs Of