Evening star., 1950-04-09
Sesqui Pageant
Due 10 Draw
100000
Truman Is Expected
To Open Celebration
At Capitol Saturday
By Nelson M. Shepord

Washington's Salute to Free
dom" next Saturday literally will
be heard around the world.
President Truman is expected to
make the keynote address at the
official pageant opening the
Sesquicentennial celebration at
10:15 am. IN the Capitol Plaza
Radio and television systems will
relay the Presidential message
throughout the world.
The Salute to Freedom" pag-
cant has been hearlded as "the
most spectacular patriotic pag-
cant in the history of the Nation
since the Inauguration of George
Washington. 1t will be touched
off at IL am. by 35-gun salute.
Only once before in American
history has such a salute been
fired. That was on September Q,
1863. at the ceremony attended by
President Lincoln when the statue
was unveiled atop the Capitol
dome. The President of the United
States is honored by only a 81
gun salute.
100000 Expected.
The National Capital Sesqui-
centennial Commission. in an
nouncing details of Saturdays
program, expects more than 100,-
900 to witness the ceremony.
Officially it commentaries the
establishment of Washington as
the capital of the Nation $50 years
ago. Some of the brightest stars
of the entertainment world are
taking roles in the pageant.
From the presidential Offices at
Key West, Fla, the Sesquicenten-
nial Commission received notice
yesterday that Mr.. Truman is pre-
pairing an official proclamation
for the opening of the celebration.
1t will be issued some time this
week.
Practically a complete turnout
Of official and diplomatic Wash
ington is expected for the program
opening a series of official events
extending over seven months. The
President and members of his
cabinet head the list of invited
dignataries. Each official has re-
ceived a special souvenir invita-
ton. In addition to- justices of
the Supreme Court, members of
the diplomatic corps. members of
Congress and other ranking Off
cials, Washington will be repre-
sented by civic, religious. patriotic
and educational leaders.
The Capitol Plaza, scene of
inauguration ceremonies, will be
decorated with hundreds of
American, State and Sesauicen-
tennial flags.
Chorus of 800 Voices.
A chorus of 300 voices from the
glee clubs of Washingtons six
leading universities and the De-
partment of Agriculture Chorus,
will take part. They will wear
academic gowns of red, white and
blue.
Invitations were extended to
more than 100000 school children
within the Washington metro
politan area, it was announced.
Representative Horan, Republi-
can, of Washington. a member Of
the Sesquicentehnial Commission
will be the only formal speaker
besides the President.
ClimaXing the program in the
evening will be a great fireworks
display on the Washington Monu-
ment grounds.
Bright in dress uniforms, the
combined Marine, Army and Air
Force Bands will start the Capital
Plaza program at 1915 o'clock
with music.
After that phase Of the pro-
gram, the air over Washington
will buzz with the drone of mill
tary airplanes from all the Ma
tion's air arms. The air show
will give members of the audience
plenty Of time to find their places
before the boom of IS guns
sounds attention.
Guest Artists.
The guest artists will include
Miss Gladys Swarthout of the
Metropolitan Oprea, as the God
dess of Liberty" Other Metropoli-
tan stars taking part are Miss
Lucille Manners and Miss IRA
Petina. Popular artists such as
Miss Muriel Rain, Lanny Ross
and Edward Arnold will appear
on the program.
The combined Service bands and
glee clubs will join in singing
America the Beautiful" The in
vocation will be delivered by the
Most Rev. Patrick A. O'Boyle,
Catholic Archbishop of Washing
ton. At the conclusion. the Pray
er for Freedom will be delivered
by the Rt. Rev. Angus Dun, Prot
estant Episcopal Bishop of Wash
ington.
Miss Manners will sing a Sc
lection, accompanied by the Air
Force Band. At its conclusion,
Representative Horan will speak
on behalf of the Sesqui Commits
sion on the Significance of the
Sesquicentennial." He will sketch
briefly the historic steps that led
to the founding of the seat of
Government on the Potomac, the
rise and expansion of the National
Capital.
President Expected to Accept.
The Sesqui Commission had not
heard definitely yesterday whether
Mr.. Truman will accept the formal
invitation to speak, but it is al
most certain he will do so. He
will return to Washington Mon
day from Key West.
George Murphy will appear as
Thomas Jefferson, supported by
Miss Rain, contralto. and the Air