Evening star., 1951-01-07
Revised Version
Of Sesqui Drama
To Be Presented
Faith of Fathers
Slated for Revival
Here This Summer
By WiIIiom A. MiIIen

By WiIIiom A. MiIIen
The Sesquicentennial Commits
sion with $500,000 still in its
Golfers, will spend part of it on a
revised version of Faith of Our
Fathers" this summer, officials
said yesterday.
Paul Green, playwright of the
symphonic drama centering
around George Washington, is ex-
pected to have the revised script
here by March /.
Paul M. Massmann, the COM
missions general manager, will
continue to serve indefinitely, I'M
der arrangements just made with
the commissions executive COM
mittee.
Mr.. Massmann said yesterday
he hopes to start assembling the
new cast for Faith of Our
Fathers" about April /. Present
plans call for the new production
to be staged about June Is in the
Rock Greek Park amphitheater
named after the late Carter T.
Barron, the commissions exec
utive vice chairman.
So Million Given by Congress.
The general manager said the
commissions present staff includes
eight people, mostly in the ac-
counting department. No additions
will be made until after March Is
or April l when a production
manager and a publicity staff
will be hired.
Congress gave the commission
So million for last years celebra-
ton of the National Capitals
150th birthday.
When the executive committee
decided May 10 of last year to
abandon Freedom Fair-hailed as
the keystone of the celebration in
the form of patriotic and indus
trial exhibit, as we'll as amuse-
ments-it voluntarily "froze" and
turned back to the Federal Treas
ury $1,250,000. Mr.. Massman said
it can not be "unfrozen." except
with Budget Bureau authorization.
The commission spent 81 ,250,000
In constructing the amphitheater
and in various celebrations here
as well as preliminary Freedom
Fair plans. The amphitheater,
whose original estimated cost was
$285.000. in the tide of rising
prices and expansions of the pro-
gram. ultimately reached $685.
676.
Claims Under Consideration.
Now on hand are $3.50, 600 as an
administrative reserve against
claims growing out of Freedom
Fair plans and other programs,
The General Accounting Office
now is considering two of these
claims and others are expected
to follow. based on letters of in
tent"
Mr.. MaSsmann said there is
another $250,000 now on hand as
working capital with which the
commission can put on the re-
juvenated Faith of Our Fathers "
But Mr.. Massmann believes it will
not need all this because he is
hopeful the revised version will
attract a sufficient audience so
that, at least, the commission will
break even financially.
OF course, if the international
situation gets worse and blackouts
are the order of the night, there
will be no Faith of Our Fathers, -
Mr.. Massmann realizes.
Meanwhile, plans are being laid
for the sale of tickets, revision of
the second edition of the produc-
tion and proper program, Mr..
Massamann declared.
Net Income Is S135,O0O.
On the income side of the
ledger, Mr.. Massmann declared,
the commission has made about
S135,000 net. This money comes
from the sale of commemorative
medals, programs. the National
Symphony Orchestra concerts, the
American Professional program
for the art exhibit of his
torical events presented at the
Corcoran Gallery, from the track
meet and other events, the gen.
eral manager explained.
The official medallions, showing
the Statue of Freedom atop the
Capitol dome, found much bet
ter sale outside Washington than
here, Edward F. Gillian, in charge
of sales promotion for the COM
mission, declared. Through the
cooperation of DR.. Harold Ston-
ier, executive manager, and John
B. Mack, jr., of the Public Re-
lations Council of the Amer
lean Bankers Association, banks
throughout the country took an
interest in the project.
Mr.. Gillian pointed out that
292 banks in A states purchased
more than 5000 of the bronze
medallions and about $50 silver
ones. Sales have gone so well
that there are no more silver ones
available, he said. They sold fol-
IS each. The bronze ones ranged
from 81 each for quantities ot
one to 10 to as little as 40 cent.
each for purchases of $50 or more
Mr.. Gillian said.
Bought by Large Stores.
Some large department store!
in New York and Philadelphia
purchased the medals also, MI
Gillian declared. He expect
orders from the banks and store
to continue for some time.
Although the medallions have
been available at more than 8!
locations in the Washington area
he said, sales have not been good
Mr.. Gillian explained that ont
District wholesaler sold some 32t
medallions. The commission nov
has $500 bronze medallions or
hand. of the 10000 the Philadel.