Donald Wills Douglas, aircraft industrialist and founder of Douglas Aircraft Company, speaks at the podium at the City Hall steps on the 200 North Spring Street entrance. Patriotic decor frame the surrounding stage. Also in view, the column and arches which make up the facade to the Spring Street entrance of City Hall. Douglas spoke on the needed focus of naval aircraft technology. The event celebrated the importance of American naval forces on Navy Day, October 27th, a day which commemorated the establishment of the American Navy in 1775. (Navy Day is no longer observed as it was absorbed into Armed Forces Day.) The 2000 spectators listened not only to notable speeches extolling the navy at City Hall, but also witnessed a band concert and the aerial feats of naval airplanes flying overhead. Commemorations also occured in Los Angeles Harbor, Long Beach Naval Reserve Airport, and elsewhere in the Southland.
