Evening star., 1947-07-12

country to It's present enVlaDle po-
sition in the modern world"
The general pointed out that the
men who developed automobiles, jet
propelled airplanes and advanced
marine transport undoubtedly as
youngsters built racers, model planes,
crude boats and miniature engines.
He added that such men never &C
cepted defeat and he urged the boys
not to be discouraged if the day
failed to bring them the victories for
which they had worked and hoped.
He told the boys their participa-
ton in the race, their sportsman
like conduct toward their fellow con-
testants and their faith in their
handiwork would help give them the
traits of character necessary for
good citizenship.
Speaks to Parents.
To the parents and other specta-
tors lining the Derby track, Gen.
Ferenbaugh said:
IF you are disheartened with the
juvenile delinquents, who have
shocked our public instinct by their
acts, look to our present company
here today of eager sportsmanlike
Soap Box Derby contestants. They
represent American youth as it
should be.
Look at these lads here and you
will see that youth incorporated is
still very much going concern and
a credit to us all"
Half an hour before the general
spoke, the spectators had chance
to see the contestants themselves
parade down the Derby hill.
Behind a motorcycle escort, the
parade started with the Fort
Stevens Drum and Bugle Corps and
the massed colors of Legion posts.
Then came the Legion Guard of
Honor with each man in all-white
dress uniform. The James Reese
Europe Drum and Bugle Corps fol-
lowed and finally the youthful
racers-respendent In gold helmets
and white racing shirts-marched
down the hill in formation.
Groups Arrive Early.
AS early as 7:30 am, parents,
brothers and sisters and friends
had taken their places along the
derby route and gathered around
the racers parked at the top of the
long hill.
The contestants busted them
selves giving their racers a last
minute. going over. The miniature
cars, brought from the National
Guard Armory where they under
went inspection last night, were
perched on boxes and piles OF sticks
so the boys could grease the wheels
AS they bent over their cars tt
test the steering gear, the, faces Of
the boys were deadly serious. This
was the moment for which they hao
labored all spring and they wanted
to be sure nothing went wrong.
Typical of the youngsters was
Thomas Amlong of Groveton, Va
an 11-year-old who said he had
worked nights in his basement fol
three months to perfect his entry
Six of the cars had small REQ
devils painted on their sleek white
sides. They belonged to six boys
from the German Orphan Home al
$500 Good Hope road Sc, who cal
themselves 1.-THE Red Devils,
Girls Loyalty Divided.
Among the many sisters and girl
friends who hovered near the racers
in the final prerace moments was
Patsy Reiser, 13, of q North Fen
wick street, Arlington, Va. who ad-
mitted her loyalties we're divided be-
cause two of the contestants-Jim-
my Mullen, II, and Richard Stokely
14-both live within a block of her
Too young to race himself, but or
hand to cheer his brother on, was
Jackie Bell, 10. His brother, Joe Bell
III, IA, lasted two heats last year
and was hoping to go further this
time.
AS the spectators waited for the
racers to glide down the course, they
/ listened to music from the Maritime
Commission Band, playing on
stand near the finish line, under the
baton of 1t. Arthur E. Harper.
Seventy-three policemen, under
Inspector Arthur E. Miller, were as
signed to the Derby scene. Assisting
police and officials along the runway
were more than 200 members of the
American Legion.
First-aid tents OF the District Red
Cross were set up at the top and bot.