Evening star., 1946-02-22
Groups
Birthday
Of Washington
TroveI Rises 500
As u. S. Workers
Take Holiday

A Nation once again at peace
paused reverently today to pay
its respects to the memory of
George Washington on the
2l4th anniversary of his birth.
The day was scheduled to be full
one for patriotic organizations in the
District and nearby communities.
For Government workers and many
others in private business the holi-
day meant a welcome three-day
week end.
The weatherman promised fair
skies and rising temperatures for
today and the week end and thou
sands OF Government workers took
advantage of the opportunity to
visit their home towns.
Although Union Station officials
said the exodus did not approach
that at Christmas, they estimated
that travel was so per cent above
normal. Hundreds of persons seek
ing trains to New. York this morn
ing were turned back at the gates
because of lack of train space.
Department stores and most other
shops remained open until l pm.
But schools, both public and paro-
cnial, and all banks were to re-
main closed throughout the day.
Many Ceremonies Scheduled,
Dozens of ceremonies were slated
throughout the day, with attention
centering on Mount Vernon, home OF
the First President during most of
his lifetime.
The wreath-Iaytng began at II
am. President Trumans wreath
was placed at the tomb by 1t. Col.
James H. Bate, senior White House
aide. Earlier Col. Bate placed o
wreath at the Washington Monu-
ment and at Washington Circle,
both in the name of the President.
Other groups to be represented in
wreath-laying exercises at the tomb
during the day include the American
Legion, the Veterans of Foreign
Wars, representatives of the various
States and members of the armed
forces.
The fame of George Washington
is undimmed, Senator Hoey, Demo-
crat, of North Carolina told gath
ering of patriotic organizations to-
day in Memorial Continental Hall.
He spoke at exercises sponsored by
the Daughters of the American
Sons of the American
Revolution, and the Sons of the
Senator Hoey said the spirit of
Washington is with us today in the
form of the Constitution. The Sen
ator criticized the so-called ''ismsp
andueveloped the thought that this
country should stand firmly for its
principles of democracy.
Treat All Alike.
He recalled that Washington once
said that this country should not
have any favorite nation outside of
America, and developed the thought
that this Nation should treat other
nations alike.
The meeting was called to order
by Mrs. Roy C. Bowker, state regent.
District of Columbia Society, Daueh-
tiers OF the American Revolution.
Greetings were delivered by Mrs.
John Logan Marshall and Mrs.
Godfrey Creyke, as vice president
generals of the National Society,
OAR; by Mrs. Carl H. Giroux, state
president, District of Columbia So
ciety, CAR, and Benjamin D. Hill,
Jr., president, District of Columbia
Society, SAR, and by John B. Cor
don vice president, District of CO.
lumbia Society, SR.
The program started with selec-
tions by the United States Marine
Band Orchestra. Then followed a
massing of colors ceremony.
The observance marked the 32d
joint celebration of Washington,s
Birthday by the several patriot
societies.
The Brotherhood of st. Andrew
held breakfast at 9 am, preceded
by a corporate communion, cele-
brated by the Right Rev. Angus
Dun, Bishop of Washington, at St.
Paul's Episcopal Church, Rock
Creek Church road and Webster
street NV. Bishop Dun was as
sisted by Maj. Gen. Luther Miller,
Army chief of chaplains, who also
spoke at the breakfast; the Rev.
Charles w. Wood, rector Of st.
PauPs, and the Rev. John R. An
schultz, chaplain of the Potomac AS
sembly of the brotherhood.
National Comdr. John Stelle of
the Legion made an address over
the American Broadcasting Co. net
work at 1890 pm. from Mount Ver-
non, after wreaths were placed at
the tomb by Legion representatives.
National Comdr. Joseph M. Stack of
the VFW also vii speak from Mount
Vernon at 5:45 pm. over the Colum-
bia Broadcasting System.
A parade of civic and patriotic
groups in Alexandria will begin at
2:30 pm. at King and Fairfax
streets and will proceed along King
street to West street. In the eve
ming the VFW will hold a banquet
at the George Mason Hotel, Alex
andria, at which the principal
speaker will be Maj. Gen. Paul r.
Hawley, surgeon general of the Vet
erans' Administration.
The 28th anniversary ball OF the
District Department of the Ameri-
can Legion will begin at 10 pm.
in the Mayfower Hotel. The affair
has been arranged by Miss Jane
Cox, chairman, and John A. Long,
co-chairman of the Ball Committee.
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Lutherans Expect 10 Pass