Evening star., 1915-04-14
Government Departments to
Be Closed Tomorrow, Ami
versary of His Death.
FLAGS ON U. S. PROPERTY
TO FLY AT HALF STAFF
Work at City Post Office Will Not
Let Up, However, and Carriers
Will Make Regular Deliveries.

The official machinery or the OHlteu
States, from one end of the country to
the other. tomorrow will be idle while
tribute is paid to the memory of Abra-
ham Lincoln. whose death occurred III
ty years ago tomorrow.
President Wilson last night issued an
executive order closing all government
offices. SO that there may be fitting
observance of the day, and at the same
time directed that the flag which Lin
coin sacrificed his life for shall be
displayed at half-staff on every forti-
fication. building and half-mast on
every vessel belonging to the United
States Owners and masters of mer-
chant ships of the country were also
requested to take similar action. The
executive order is as follows:
Presidents Executive Order.
"As an evidence of the profound af-
fection of the American people for the
memory of Abraham Lincoln, it Is
hereby ordered that the executive Of
fees of the United States shall be
closed and that the national flag be
displayed at half-mast upon all federal
buildings and at all forts and military
posts and naval stations, and on all
vessels OF the united states. anu lHd I
the representatives Of the United states
in foreign countries shall in like man
ner. pay appropriate tribute to his
memory on Thursday April Is. 1913,
the fiftieth anniversary of his death.
THE owners and masters of all mer-
chant ships of the United States are
requested similarly to display the ma
tional flag at half-mast
Suggestion of The Star Adopted.
The action of the President was
taken partly upon a suggestion con-
tanned in an editorial in The Star sew
eral days ago that the departments
should be closed tomorrow. The Presi-
dent at first thought. when the matter
was laid before him. that he would
issue an order requiring all flags low
cred, but last night he again considered
the matter and issued the necessary or
der for the stoppage of all government
work.
The order applies to the government
of the District of Columbia as we'll as
to the general government.
The order was not at first understood,
being interpreted as applying to the
White House only. and several cabinet
officers called at the White House to
inquire If the order was general. When
informed that it was, they directed
that the order Of the President be fol-
lowed.
Order Comes as Surprise.
The order came as surprise to de-
partment workers in Washington.
In the navy yard the flag will be put
at half staff at 8 o'clock, and will re-
main so until sunset. it is announced.
The Grand Army Of the Republic and
the National Union will hold no exer-
cises, it is announced, as Col. John Nc
Elroy was taken by surprise by the or
der, having just returned this morning
from out of town, and Will not be able
to arrange formal observance of the
day, as he leaves tomorrow morning
for Philadelphia to attend the ami
versary meeting of the Loyal Legion
there.
No Holiday at Post Office.
Postmaster Praeger Of the city post
office announced this morning that
there would be no let up in the work
at the city post Offices. All employees
will be kept working. and nothing will
be stopped in accordance with Presi-
dent Wilson's executive order. He de-
clared that the carriers would make
their regular deliveries just the same
that the collections would be made
upon the usual daily schedule.
About the only thing at the post Of
fee which will conform to the Presi
dents order will be the half stating
of the flag.
Some to Be Kept at Work.
The order does not apply to District
employees whose services may be neces-
sary to keep the field. inspection and
contract work of the District in prog
ress.
On account of the fact that bids for
the Park View School, to cost $4,000:
new cells in No. 3 police station and
other work are advertised to be opened
at o'clock tomorrow afternoon, the
Commissioners today ordered that the
time for opening the bids be extended
to o'clock Friday.
Public schools of the District are to
have no holiday tomorrow, but flags on
them are to be placed at half staff in
observance of the day
Although the patent Office will be
closed tomorrow. a box has been placed
in the office Of the captain OF the watch
at the main entrance on f street, in
which may be deposited any papers
and fees which il may be necessary to
nle under date of April Is.
INDUCTION PLANS CHANGED.