Evening star., 1943-01-29
Young Greets
Stars Here for
Birthday Ball
Welcomes Celebrities
To City, but Offers
No Traditional Keys

l$o iTuultIonut NeyS
An impressive contingent Of
stars from the entertainment
world, here to attend the Presi-
dents Birthday Ball tomorrow
night, were given a cordial vel
come, but not the keys to the
city, by Commissions John Rus
sell Young at the District Build
ing today.
Commissioner Young, acting bott
as president Of the Board of Com
missioners and as chairman OF thu
District Birthday Ball Committee
told the distinguished visitors that
he was sorry about the traditiona,
key, but that it couldn't be helped
because of the shortage of critical
materials.
An array of important names from
the movies, the stage and the radio
was on hand for the broadcast
which was the first of the series OF
strenuous engagements they will
have to keep before the Presidents
| birthday festivities end late tomor-
row night.
Limousines Lacking.
Famous guests were still pouring
| into Washington, Drawing snow and
Ice packed streets to carry out their
appointed rounds for the cause. The
principal difference in the receptions
at Union Station was the absence OF
the customary limousines. The stars
used cabs to get to their hotels. But
the appreciative crowds and the
autograph seekers were there as
| usual.
Charlie Mccarthy, on hand at the
broadcast this morning, was his
usual unrestrained self. He began
by greeting Dean Murphy, master
OF ceremonies, as "Stinky" and
When warned by Edgar Bergen to
be more respectful because of the
distinguished faces around him, he
crowed, Amt they mess?"
Charlie said he was a little late
for the broadcast because he came
by snowplow.
Il met Senator, and that takes
time, too," he added.
Pot Luck" at White House.
When Mr.. Bergen informed
Charlie that they were lunching at
the White House tomorrow, Nc
Carthy said appreciatively:
"Ah, pot luck with the Roosevelts.
Will we have boiled New England
Republicans"
commissioner Young said that
in his several years experience with
these celebrat tions he had found
that much of what we have ac-
complished has been due to the
presence of the motion picture
stage and musical groups who have
so willingly come to Washington
to offer their names and prestige
and talents to aid the Washington
committee"
Others who took part in the
broadcast were James Cagney, Lynn
Bari, Roddy Mcdowell, Lucy Mon
roe, Roy Rogers. Dennis Morgan
Janet Blair, Anita Louise, Loretta
Young and Bonita Granville. Mar
lorie Lawrence, opera singer. at
tended the event in a wheel chair
| Robert Young and Lawrence Tib-
bett, who is president of the Ameri-
can Federation of Radio Artists
also attended.
Final Arrangements Made.
Included on the program were
Representatives Mahon, Democrat
| of Texas; Stefan, Republican, OF
Nebraska and Randolph, chairman
of the House District Committee.
After the broadcast, the stars met
with the Birthday Committee in the
board room to put the final touches
On arrangements for the various
celebrations.
Mrs. J. Russell Young presented
each of the stars with a flower
Commissioner Charles w. Kutz and
Guy Mason were present to welcome
/ them.
/ AT noon the visitors were momen-
tarlly startled when the AFRAID
sirens suddenly blasted. There was
a brief silence, then the group broke
/ into laughter.
a throng of people crowded the
fifth floor Of the District Building
waiting patiently, and spplaudine
as they passed by.
Other Distinguished Guests.
Also announced today as partici-
pants in the festivities, were Sil
/ Cedric Hardwicke and Lady Hard
wicke, who are already here. anc
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, who
VIII arrive tomorrow in time for &
/ White House luncheon and attenc
all Of the Saturday night dances.
Other program features for today
/ include a reception and dinner
costing $40 plate, at 7 pm. in the
Mayfiower Hotel, with Al Jolson a.
master of ceremonies. and appear.
anceS Of all OF the stars at midnight
shows, starting at ll:30 pm. at the
Capitol, Earle and Howard theaters
Three fOurthS of the tickets at tht
Capitol and Earle theaters hav,
been reported sold, but many ticket!
were said to be available still
The Birthday Ball Committe,
also announced that, due to trans
portation difficulties, Fred WarinI
and his entertainers would be abl,
to make only one appearance to
morrow evening. They will be a
the Mayfower Hotel at II pm.
Two Health School Girls.
Two little girls from the Health
School for District infantile paraly
sis victims sat in wheel chairs a
Union Station and sold their frs
souvenir programs of the birthda.
celebration to actors Laraine Day
Geraldine Fitzgerald, Dennis Nor
gan and Robert Young
The girls, who got autographs TO
many Of their chums at the Health
School, Thirteenth and Allison
streets NV. were Mary Anderson
l3 Of 1901 Juniper street NV, ant
Shirley Davis, 3, Of I4lI G street S z
On reaching the station ant
meeting the girls, Mr., Young dis
. aDpGarCd for a moment and re