Evening star., 1953-03-29
White House
Easter Eggs
Roll Again
By Moude Nelson Porker

gone out with the Second World
War, for not since 1941 have the
young people been permitted to
carry their baskets Of eggs on
Easter Monday to the White
House grounds.
There will be q new President
and First Lady to greet the
young visitors. President EiSen-
hover has shown keen interest,
and extends an invitation to
children everywhere to bring
their Easter eggs to his own
"back yard"
Egg rolling did not always
take place on the lawn Of the
White House. This ancient
Washington custom Of rolling
eggs" goes back as far as 1870,
according to some stories, but
was first recorded in a puhlica-
tion in 1872. At that time 1t was
participated in at Capitol Park
or Square. It continued there
for five years, at which time
some Representatives In Con-
greSS decided that rolling and
smashing eggs was not in keep
ing with the dignity Of the Capt.
tol, so a bill was introduced In
Congress and passed, forbidding
the sport in the park.
Disappointed Children
On Easter Monday, 1877, the
children, not being aware Of the
new law. arrived bright and early
with baskets Of eggs in prepara-
tion for their annual frolic on
the Capitol grounds. Much to
their surprise, a huge sign greet
ed them, painted with glaring
letters, mo EGG ROLLING"
The disappointed youngsters
stood around, holding tightly to
their baskets, not knowing where
to go or what to do.
At that time. the President Of
the United States was Ruther-
ford Hayes. and it so happened
he was driving by the Capitol
and noticed the flock of children
standing around with their Eas-
ter baskets. He had the coach
man stop the horses, and he
asked them what was the trou-
BILE. All together they pointed
to the sign. Being moved with
deep feeling for the youngsters.
he invited them to come to the
White House lawn and roll their
eggs. Thus started the greatest
egg rolling festival in the world.
World.
The President and Mrs. Eisen-
hover, by having the White
House gates open on Easter
Monday. are continuing one Of
q WaShington'S oldest traditions
established for children, in which
many adults wish to be included,
for they also enjoy the great
day. The only ones who prob
ably do not enjoy it-although
they must the FIRST round or
two"-are the White House staff,
guards and attendants, for when
more than $4,000 persons are
congregated on the south yard |
Of the White House there Is |
plenty to do. The grounds be. |
come covered with various COL |
ored egg shells, crushed choco-
1ates, battered cotton bunnieS |
and chickens, and other animals. |
Jubilant shouts are heard every
where as an army Of young peo-
pie celebrate at an unique Easter
festival, not comparable with
anything in the United States.
Future in Doubt
When inquiries were made In
recent years Of White House
staff member whether the egg
rolling would be held there was
always the reply that "the White
House calendar Is crowded with
important events and I hardly
think egg rolling, is listed"
There was o humorous tone In
his voice, and then in q quieter
tone, just as II he was recalling
the utter fatigue experienced
those Easter Monday evenings
for many years, "I hope It viii
never come back"
Those who have helped put on
the show answered countless
questions and kept watch over
thousands Of youngsters, stand
exhausted at their posts. They
try to smile, though mentally
and physically incapable Of it,
but heave high, saying, "Well,
it's all over until next year." OF
they go, and the many extra
guards and policemen detailed
for the affair move on to their
respective duties or homes, leav-
ing the remnants Of articles In
the care Of the White House
Office. The paper pickers ap-
pear and begin Immediately
their arduous task of clearing
VAAO 40W44p W4A4N44 4OOhS like a |
mass Of Speckled guinea hens,
every inch Of it.
Easter Monday may be bright
and sunny, cloudy or drizzly
with rain, yet 1t is all the same. |
Crowds pour in through the iron
gates Of the White House. The
only passport is to be q child,
or II an adult, accompanied by |
q child, that Is from 9 to 8 |
o'clock. At 3 o'clock the gates
are thrown open to the public. |
Small children, mostly boys,
hang around the entrance In |
the morning. selling themselves
to grown-upS for the sum Of |
ten cents to guide them through
the lofty portals.
Entertainment Added
It was Mrs. Herbert Hoover,
the wife Of the thirty first PreSi-
dent Of the United States, who
first conceived the. idea Of hav-
ing some organized entertain
ment for the children at these
functions, so a group Of leaders
In the youth field were brought
together to help plan the Easter
program.