Evening star., 1941-04-22
1000 See Red Cross
Musical Pageantin in
Opening Day Climax
Pledge to America
Presented; MeNutt Tells
Of Opportunities

In the form of a dramatic tone
poem. the mission of the American
Red Cross, at home and beyond the
seas, was portrayed on the stage of
Constitution Hall last night before
1000 delegates to the annual con-
vention of this society of mercy.
The musical pageant, called
pledge to America" was a thrill
ing climax to the opening day of
the convention, and it drew a packed
hall.
The musical score, arranged and
directed by DR.. Frank Black, radio
and concert conductor, was pre-
sented with Lucille Manners, So
prano, and Conrad Thibault, BARI
tone. as featured soloists; a choir OF
l25 from the Washington Choral So
ciety and symphony orchestra
A large cast furnished the various
voices heard during the drama. The
words were by Charles Dillon. and
the narrator was Franchot Tone,
screen star.
The tonal drama was broadcast
over an N. B. C. network and was
presented as if it were being pro-
duced in radio studio.
Washington Represented.
When the narrator spoke of "the
America of George Washington" the
impersonator of the First President
spoke out: II am clearly of the
opinion that every man who is in
the vigor of life ought to serve his
country in whatever line it re-
quires and he is fit for. ."
: And the audience heard a voice
representing Lincoln utter his IA
nous words: The trial through
which we pass will light us down.
in honor or dishonor, to the latest
generation. We shall nobly serve or
meanly lose the last, best hope of
earth"
There was the voice of Walt Whit
man raised in prophecy. And there
were other historic voices imagined,
like those of Florence Nightingale
and Clara Barton. There was a
prayer in the soprano solo, Ave
Maria" and the rich folk song,
Deep River" The pageant closed
with America" and The Star
Spangled Banner"
Another feature of the evening
was the first showing of the Red
Cross motion picture, Marching
With Old Glory" which brought in
many Washington persons.
In an address preceding the
pageant, Federal Security Admins
traitor McNutt, who also is co-ordi-
nator of health and welfare activi-
ties affecting the national defense,
told the Red Cross that America
faces challenging opportunities-to
maintain and to strengthen our
American way of life; to utilize and
to improve our democratic processes;
to preserve and to perfect that COM
mon cause of self governing liberty
for which our forefathers renounced
their European homes"
Compliments Red Cross.
Mr.. McNutt pointed out The
Nation has tremendous reserves of
service and of strength in the vol.
unteer activities of private individ-
uals. The Red Cross knows this.
and it knows how to channel and
guide these reserves so that they
can make their maximum contribu-
ton.
Indeed, it seems to me that one
Of the most significant, if not one
of the most widely publicized, parts
Of your work is the training you
have given TO thousands of men
and women in first aid, in water,
highway and industrial accident pre-
vention and in many other kinds of
emergency preparedness.
These skilled volunteers will stand
us in good stead if no national
emergency ever comes. and in the
event that it does come they will
be invaluable"
Pointing out that more than
100000 young men already were in
uniform and others were answering
the call daily, Mr.. McNutt said:
"Other millions-men and women,
young, middle-aged and old--are
manning the industrial lines of de-
fense. Sleepy country towns are
finding themselves invaded by SOL
diers, sailors or defense workers who
outnumber their normal population
five to ten times over.
This is an essential activity. The
whole country, including the local
communities themselves, and the
State and Federal governments,