Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-01
Hundreds Flock.
To Annapolis
For June Week
Junior Gloss Holds
Traditional Ring
Ceremony Tonight

ANNAPOLIS, Md, May 31.-The
Naval Academy's June Week" began
officially today In a town set for a
festive seven sdays-the high spot of
the State Capitals social season.
Hundreds OF guests focked to their
Annapolis lodgings today as white
clad middies carried the bags for
their "drags" and relatives to already
crowded facilities.
Reservations had been made by
many for the week, with some FAM
lilies ip the town and environs giving
up their homes in order to rent them
to others more interested In seeing
the traditional round of events.
In, the afternoon, many of the
visitors went to see the Navy Uni
versity of Virginia baseball game.
Admiral Leahy Attends Contest.
Among the old grads attending
this contest were members of the
class of 1897 which includes Admiral
William D. Leahy, presidential chief
Of staff.
These old timers, many Of whom
have risen high In the naval service,
came here for a reunion, but they
had no set program. They just came
for a good time, and it was appar-
ent from the way they took to con-
genial relaxation that that was what
they were having.
On the program for tonight was
the most romantic affair Of the June
Week celebration-the ring dance
at which members of the junior class
wore their. class rings for the first
time. and in a traditional ceremony
dipped them in waters brought from
the seven seas.
During the day hundreds of visi-
tors wandered over the Naval Acad-
envy grounds, greeting the n1idship-
men, visiting the museum, stepping
down to see the funereal cript under
the chapel in which lies the body of
John Paul Jones, father of the Navy,
or gazing at the huge reproduction
of the battleship Delaware warhead
and the tailsmanic bust of Tecum-
sch.
Middies Relax from Routines.
Bancroft Hall, the huge midship-
mems dormitory, was the greatest
hive Of activity as last minute prep
arations were made for the week.
Middies saw to the completion of
decorations in Memorial Hall for
the evening dance and generally re-
Taxed from their rigorous academic
routines.
Tomorrow the first class and their
guests will gather for the baccalau-
reate service and in the evening
there will be concert by the mid
shipnens orchestra and recital by
the Glee Club.
Midshipman David H. Swenson,
Taylor, Tex, was named winner of
the Glass of 1897 sword today when
IS members of the class assembled
for their 50th reunion.
He will receive his ensign's COM
mission at the Naval Academy's
graduation Friday and the award
at brigade parade Wednesday. He
is now a regimental commander and
for part of the year was brigade
commander.
The sword Is given to the mid
shipman who contributes most to
the development "of naval spirit
and loyalty within the brigade"
Glass Gives Luncheon.
Midshipman Swenson was a guest
of the class at luncheon, where he
was congratulated by Admiral
Leahy and Admiral Thomas L. Hart,
former Senator from Connecticut.
Midshipman w. J. Shoemaker of
Hawarden, Iowa. in charge of the
midshipmen's choir, was presented
an officers sword by the mother of
a former Naval Academy gradu-
ate.
The presentation was made by
Mrs. r. H. Donaldson, Jackson
Heights, Long Island, in honor of
her son, 1t Robert Donaldson, who
was killed while serving aboard the
aircraft carrier Essex in 1913.
The ceremony was held in the
Naval Academy chapel Those at
tending included James Donaldson.
brother Of 1t. Donaldson of Wash
ington, Rear Admiral James l.. Hol-
loway, jr., academy superintendent,
and Mr. and Mrs. Harold j. Shoe
maker, parents of the midshipman.