Evening star., 1941-04-16
Pageant Reproduces
Half Century Of
D. A. R. History
Words of EARLY Leaders
Recalled to Congress;
Junior Assembly Elects

business of their 5Oth Continental
Congress last night and gathered
in Constitution Hall to watch a
pageant depicting the half-century
Of their society's history.
Despite the warm weather, few
left before the end of the two-and-
a-half-hour program, which fol-
lowed a half-hour concert by the
United States Army Band Orches-
ira, Capt Thomas F. Darcy, jr.,
leader. Programs, used as fans,
moved to and fro throughout the
hall, but the audience did not stint
In its applause, and hearty laugh
ter greeted quotations from Con-
tinental Congress declarations OF
early leaders when they were Spok-
en- by the costumed women of the
pageant.
The production, except for minor
changes, was the same as that pre-
sented last October II, Founders
Day, in celebration of the golden
Jubilee of the D. A. r.
Portrays Mrs. Harrison.
The initial scene, entitled The
First Decade" presented Mrs. Hen
ny M. Robert, jr., president gen.
eral, in the role of Mrs. Benjamin
Harrison. Using the words OF the
characters they impersonated, the
participants then traced growth OF
the organization through the years,
past the building of Memorial Con-
tinental Hall, through the World
War and on to the construction OF
Constitution Hall and, finally, the
year of golden jubilee.
The four founders of the D. A. r.,
Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth, Miss
Eugenia Washington, Mrs. Mary
Smith Lockwood and Miss Mary
Desha, were portrayed, respectively,
by Miss Page Schwarzwaelder, Mrs.
Frank Leon Mason, Mrs. Leland
Stanford Duxbury and Mrs. VIII
liam Harrison Hightower.
The pageant concluded with a
two-part presentation entitled,
~Year of Jubilee" which featured
a huge Book of Life" the pages
of which were turned by four young
women as Mrs. Robert reviewed
the society'S work in various fields,
Including Americanization schools,
nurses at the Ellis Island IN. "
alien receiving station, Junior
American Citizens, Boy Scouts and
Girl Scouts. Representatives OF
youth groups assisted by the D. A. r.
were among those maSSed on the
platform during this portion Of the
pageant.
Benediction by DIR. Montgomery
AS the program drew to a close,
Mrs. Robert called on the assem-
blage to repeat, perhaps as you
never have before, "The Americans
Greed" and THE Pledge OF Auegl-
ance to the Flag" DR.. James Shera
Montgomery, chaplain of the House
of Representatives, then pronounced
the benediction, and the colors were
retired.
Mrs. Vinton Earl Sisson, chair
man of the Historical Pageant Com
mittee, acted as narrator. Ihe
George Washington University Glee
Club, directed by DR.. Robert Howe
Harmon and accompanied by Grace
Ruble Harmon, also took part.
Following the pageant, Mrs. Rob-
ert and the other national ofncers
received informally on the platform,
and the State regents greeted mem
bers and guests in the State boxes.
During the afternoon the annual
memorial pilgrimages to the TOMB
of the Unknown Soldier in Airing
ton National Cemetery and the
Tomb of George and Martha wash
hgton at Mount Vernon were con-
Quoted under supervision OF COM
mittee headed by Mrs. E. Thomas
Boyd. Mrs. Robert led the pill
primages and offered brief tributes
at the tombs as wreaths were placed
Junior Assembly Elects.
The Junior Assembly was an
afternoon event in Memorial Con-
tinental Hall, and the annual elec-
tion of officers was held. Mrs. Will
lard F.. Richards of Massachusetts,
retiring State chairman Tor tnat
state. succeeded Mrs. Charles w.
Dickenson of Colorado as chairman
of the Junior Assembly. Others
elected included Miss Marion BROOK
of Michigan, Miss Lois Lentz Oh
Fexas Miss Rose Richardson OF
oregon and Mrs. S. Stuart of Utah:
Miss Janice Fargo of Nebraska, ana
Mrs. Arthur James of MISSOURI
vice chairmen; Miss Sally Aoer-
nethv of Florida, recording secre-
tary: Miss Elizabeth Dunn OF LII,
nois. corresponding secretary, anu
Mrs, Harold Sayre OF west VIZ
einia. treasurer.
MRS. William H. Pouch OF New
Work. sole candidate for presldenC
General of the D. A. p, greeted Ine
assembly, as did Mrs. william a.
Recker honorary president general
end Mrs. John Morrison kerr'
rresident of the Children OF the
American Revolution.
resolutions declaring intention 10
continue a policy of helping estao,
bsh new chapters of the c. A. n. anu
to encourage junior groups througli-
ont the country to study the Con,
stit,,tions of the United states anu
fbs n A. r. were approved, ana tne
assembly presented a scholals sinp
to the carr Greek Ky0 Community
Center after hearing the Rev. VIII
nam Francis, its executive setie
tarv, explain the AmerlcailiHaUioii
work there.