Evening star., 1948-03-08
Truman Urges
Nation 10 Mark
Founding ofD.C.
Sesquieentenniol Unit
Holds First Meeting
To Plan 1850 Fetes

"1n a larger sense" the President
declared, I'VE hope that all friends
OF democracy everywhere will join
with us in marking the birthday of
a city which has grown great as the
Capital Of our democratic Nation"
Mr.. Truman spoke at the first
meeting OF the National Capital
Sesquicentennial Commission, set up
by Congress to provide for appro-
pirate commemoration of the 150th
anniversary of the establishment of
the Federal Governments home
here in 1900.
The commission, of which the
President Is ex offlcio chairman, met
at the White House Carter T. Bar
ron, Eastern division manager of
Loew's, Inc, was chosen executive
vice chairman.
Hopes for 10000, 900 Visitors.
In statement to reporters later,
Mr.. Barron said that present plans
for the celebration call 'for the
greatest civic effort ever undertak-
en- in Washington"
He said the commission hoped
that not less than 10000, 900 visitors
would be attracted To Washington
during 1850, the sesqui-
year. This would compare with an
average of around 100000 visitors
year normally.
Mr.. Barron said that Congress
would be asked for an appropria-
ton to finance the celebration.
While no definite cost estimat tes
have been made, he said the COM
mission is thinking in terms Of
s250O00.
Details Of the program remain to
be worked out, Mr.. Rarron said. He
emphasized it will be designed pri-
marily from an education stand
point-that Washington was the
first capital city to be conceived on
the democratic principles that have
made our city great
To Start on April Is.
The celebration, Mr.. Barron said,
will begin on April IS, 1850, and
come to a climax on November %
that year. April Is is the anniver-
Sary Of the day in 1871 when the
cornerstone of the District of
Columbia was laid on the edge of
the Potomac River near Alexandria.
November % is the anniversary of
the day in 1900 when Congress
Second Congress, Sixth Session-as-
sembled for the first time on Capt.
tol Hill.
An Executive Committee, appoint
ed today and empowered to draw
up detailed plans for the celebra-
ton, is headed by Joseph c. McGar-
raghy Other members are Robert
B. Fleming, Commissioner John
Russell Young, Senator Buck, Re-
publican, of Delaware, and Repre-
sentative Bloom, Republican, Of
New York.
In a formal statement opening
the commission meeting, Mr.. Tru-
man said:
THE arrival of the City Of Wash
ington at the venerable age Of
$50 years in 1850 will be a matter
of importance to all the citizens
Of the United States and a symbol
to freedom-loving people every
where.
Truman Happy to Serve.
"I am happy to serve with the
distinguished members of this COM
mission in planning a celebration of
this anniversary in keeping with
the high Importance of the occasion
The capital of the United States
belongs to all the citizens of the
the United States-as much to the
men and women of Maine or Calf
ornia, Minnesota or Georgia, as to
any of us here. The sesqui-
nial of the City of Washington
should be celebrated not just within
the confines of the District of
Columbia. but all over the Nation.
"In a larger sense, we hope that
all friends of democracy everywhere
will join with us in marking the
birthday of city which has grown
great as the capital of our demo-
cratic Nation"
Mr.. Barron pointed out that plans
for the entertainment and housing
of such an enormous influx of visi-
tors as expected here during the
sesqui- year necessarily
must be built on a sacle unprece-
dented in the District of Columbia. !"
To Ask State Support.
"While the locals Of the celebra-
ton will be here in Washington"
Mr.. Barron added, I'VE regard this
event as being of such significance
nationally that we will ask, and
hope to receive, the full support in
our planning of all the States and
territories, of industry and labor, of
all important segments of our ma
tional life.
1--WE especially hope to make this
an occasion on which we can drive
home to the children and young
people Of America the basic demo-
cratic principles of the national
Government the City of Washing
ton was designed to serve"
Mr.. Barron said he hoped the
program worked out would stimu-
late a good part of the Nations 30
100000 school children to visit
Washington.
Special events during the cele-
bration, he said, would be held both
outdoors and indoors. He mentioned
Constitution Hall and the Armory
as possible sites Of indoor events.
To Work in Special Fetes.
Regular special celebrations in
Washington such as those arranged
by the Greater National Capital
Committee, including the Cherry
Blossom Festival and Fourth of
July celebration, will be worked
into the sesqui-centennial program,
Mr.. Barron said.
In addition to President Truman,
Mr.. Barron and members of the
executive committee named today,
the commission membership in
cludes House Speaker Martin, Sena-
tor Vandenberg, Republican, of
Michigan; Senator Capper, Republi-
can, of Kansas; Senator Holland,