Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-02

Public schools of the District
will not open tomorrow and
they will remain closed until the
influenza crisis is passed.
Commissioner Brownlow and
Superintendent of Schools
1Thurston reached this decision
at noon today.
Other drastic measures for
checking the spread of the dis
case were decided upon at a
series of conferences this morn
ing between Commissioner
Brownlow and District and fed
eral government officials and
business men.
Staggered Hours Adopted.
Staggered hours for. government de-
partments and delayed opening of mer-
camille stores, regulation of theater
crowds and thorough overhauling of
eating places by representatives of the
United States public health service are
the principal combative measures that
IRE to be put into effect within the next
twenty-four hours.
The liberty loan parades planned for
October and II have been indefinitely
postponed. The liberty loan committee
e.
vide as far as possible for outdoor in
stead of indoor meetings.
Commissioner Brownlow has aban-
doned consideration of all other public
matters and is giving his entire time
TO the influenza situation. Health Officer
fowler. who was believed to be threat
ened with the disease yesterday, return
ed TO his office today. While far from
well. he attended all conferences.
Staggered hours become operative
tomorrow morning.
All stores in the District, except
those dispensing food and drugs, will
lie required to open at 10 am. and
close at 8 PM, until further notice,
'he order becoming effective tomor-
row.
The staggered hour plan is expected
u meet the situation as far as con-
EeStion in street cars is concerned.
''rowded cars arc believed greatly to
sd the spread of influenza.
The government departments which
Viii open at new hours, beginning to-
MORROW. are: Labor, S o'clock; Agri-
culture, $50; Commerce, $3.50; Inter
ior, $50; Patent Office. $50; Post
office. $50: Pension Office, $50, and
Treasury, $3.50.
Decision Later in Day.
Decision will be reached later in
the day as to whether any changes
ere 20 be made in the hours of the
ar risk bureau and the food and fuel
aimiuiStrationS- 1t had been an
bounced that the bureau of engraving
.nd printing would open at 1880
clock. but this plan has been aban-
G'n,d and the bureau will continue to
,ycn at s am.
Representatives of the Merchants
:'1d Manufacturers Association con-
-rred with Commissioner BroWnloW
shortly before noon and it was agreed
hat an order should be issued delay
!aS the opening hour of all stores,
except drug stores and eating places.
until the army of war workers has
been transported to work each morning.
Officials OF the street car companies
were in consultation with the Conn
missioner and the Public Utilities
Commission during the day. 1t was
stated that the Companies will be
ready to meet the changed conditions
The delayed opening hour for stores
may become permanent Commits
sioner Brownlow believes that, as a
ornament arrangement, stores should
open at 11:3O am. and close at 8 pm
such an arrangement, he believes,
ould give many women having
oUsehold duties to perform in the
"orning an opportunity to accept
.p!oyment in the stores. besides
wing many other advantages.
To Put Inspectors in the Field.
Commissioner Brownlow's first con-
Fences this morning were with rep
l-scntatives of the Treasury and the
I,bic health service in regard to the
::aggered-hour plan and the lunchroom
:iruation. The public health service
: will put a large force OF inspectors
into the field at once, and every lunch
room and eating place will be visited
Theaters present a problem in rela-
don to the epidemic that has not been
Continued On Second RaeAa