The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-12

Confusion is an inadequate word to de-
scribe the chaos into which Washington
was plunged last night by the issuance Of
proclamation by President Roosevelt
setting aside to-day as a legal holiday
and his failure to sigp the Congress
sheepskin-
Everybody in the city was guessing,
Many stiH are in doubt as to whether to
20 about their daily pursuits or celebrate
cessation CT labor
It was al one grand mix-uP, and it IS
still mixed
Half Of Washington population has not
learned yet that to-day is legal holi-
day; that. so far as the law has jurisdic-
ton. everybody is released from onerous
duty and is entitled to have good time.
OF otherwise.
While the ordinary citizen was scratch
ing his head and wondering how to place
the hands Of the alarm clock. officials Of
The city banks were perspiring and de-
hating. holding meetings. and working
their brains overtime in a vain effort 10
determine whether the banks should be
closed or opened
Scratched Their Heads.
School children and workingmen. gov
ernment clerks and professional men
scratched their heads and asked ques-
lions Their queries were answered In a
dozen different ways. each more -unsatis-
fsct0rily than the one preceding. Then
these citizens made Wild rushes for teIe-
phones and called up Information seek
ing TO obtain from this overworked per-
sonsge a correct settlement Of the aues-
ton
Information was not the only one
asked TO settle the question. however.
for the telephones in the newspaper Of
fees worked continually, and telephone
wires connecting banks ard bank off,
cials' residences we're burned to & ..fraz-
lie"
It IS doubtful II Washington has ever
in its history had to gTappIs with a sim
liar problem, How old is ANN being
the nearest approach It was a grand
potpourd Of doubt, hesitation, and IN
boiling and seethiag.
After telephoning from one bank to an
other, to the White House. and TO law
yers' Offices. officers OF the Washington
institutions knew as little about what
they intended doing last midnight as they
did yesterday at noon
Clearing House Session.
Last night & meeting OF the Clearine
House Association was held. and the
matter was debated until far into the
night. Tie only result was 70 deepen the
doubt and uncertainty. and to turn few
hairs on the heads Of directors and
presidents a bit more gray.
In despair. It was finally decided no,
10 decide and the question was left un-
solved. to be placed before meetings O,
II officers OF the various institutions. to
be held beore banking hours thi morn
ing
Explanation Of their troubles. given
by one Of the bankers. was that the
financial men question the right OF Presi.
dent Roosevelt TO issue q proclamation
making the day q legal holiday, and
have doubts as 10 the legality Of the
action taken by Congress, without the
signature Of the Chief Executive bsins
affixed Many citizens took this same
view OF the question.
Business men who make II q custom Il
cash checks 70 settle their weekly pay
rs on Friday are IN a worse mix, II tha-
be possible, than the bank officials They
threaten dire consequences If they fail tC
get their checks cashe6. and in turn theil
employees are emitting few gTumbles al
the bare thought OF being tied up on col.
lecting their weekly pay.
Schools to BE Closed.
Many a Washington schooIboy viii NEE
with al agreeable surprise when he troop.
TO the school building ard finds the door.
closed and locked Likewise many a de
muve little girl win be anything bu
happy when she learns there is 20 be NJ
school and no celebration Of the centen
nial Of Lincoins birth
The school board, however. vas not Il
as much Of a dilemma as the banks
Vice President Cox, acting in the abseuc,
Of President Oyster. gave orders earh
last evening that to-day would be ob
served as legal holiday. The order did
not reach The mass OF sehoeI children
however ana Iney viii report for thei
studies as usual this morning
Government clerks we're not notified O
The status Of the day. and although or
ders have been issued to close all vor
ernment departments. hundreds OF me,
and women who live away from tn
neaTt Of the city viii not receive III.
news until this morning.
When announcement was made of tn
text OF President Roosevelts proclsma
ton. many housewives began to Civ,
large orders TO the grocery man and tn
butcher Others did not, and these ar,
wondering whether they VIII be able [,
make purchases for their tables Nam
OF the larger stores viii close. II was an
SOunced, but practically all grocery store
Wiz be open. al least half OF the day.
Il ali came about this way The Hous,
Of Representatives passed joint resoIu
tion making the day special legal holi