2
ASKS EARLY START
ON 81-CENIEIIAL;
Five Years None Too Long for;
Washington to Prepare,
Says G. W. U. President.
The National Capital should begin
now to lav plans for th*> observa i>ee
of the 200th anniversary of the birth
of Clearjre Washington In 1932. so that
the attention of the whole Nation will
be attracted to the event, Dr. William
Mather Lewis, president of George
Washington University, told members
of the City Club at their second forum
luncheon of the season this afternoon.
Washington does not need to stage
an exposition to honor the Father of
His Country on that anniversary. Dr.
Lewis declared. pointing out that the
permanent architectural features of
the city, its museums and art gal
Icrles "equal those of any temporary
exposition that could be organized.
“But the anniversary- year must hr
so planned and featured that the at
r.ention of ih* Nation is drawn to it."
the speaker continued. "The Sesqui
'•entennlal Exposition officials in Phil
adelphia. counted on 25.00»,ffff0 visit
ors. They fell far short. But it is
nor. too much to expect that number
to visit Washington in the 200th an
niversary year if proper arrangements
are made.
‘ If by 1932 a great stadium were
available, a series of historic pageants
picturing t*~ development of Wash
ington trom the Indian times down to
the present would be of national in
terest and value. Likewise an exhibit
of pictures showing the development
of Washington; proper marking of
all historic shrines and national me
morials: the proper featuring of
Washington's educational institutions;
proper arrangement for the care of
a multitude of guests—all these things
fan be ptovided hv the proper fore
sight. Other communities have learned
that five years is none too king a
time to prepare for a great celebra
tion.
