Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-11
b. C. OFFICES CLOSE
IN TAFT'S MEMORY
Federal and District Depart
ments Suspend Operations
for Funeral.

The wheels of the Federal and Dis
trict governments moved in slow and
solemn fashion early today as the city
paid its last mark of respect to the
memory Of william Howard Taft, and
after 1880 o'clock virtually all activity
was suspended for his funeral.
With few exceptions, the heads of
departments and independent estab-
lishments of the Government dismissed
all employees who could be spared from
their duties during the afternoon, and
in the downtown sections of the city
practically all department stores and
many large firms closed at 2 o'clock in
respect to the former President and
Chief Justice.
Offices Theoretically Open.
The Federal and District Government
of1ces remained open theoretically in
conformity with a law which forbids
their closing at the death of an ex-
official of the Government. The
Government Printing once and few
independent establishments, including
the Iterstate Commerce Commission
were practically the only ones that did
not adhere to the suggestion of Presi-
dent Hoover that clerks be excused
wherever possible, during a period OF
the day. At the Government Printing
Office it was said there would be a brief
suspension of activity during the
funeral OF the former President.
The public schools of the city also
closed their doors at 1890 o'clock
Principals conducted brief exercises fol-
the pupils at their respective schools
before the hour of dismissal.
Wheels of Justice at StandstiII.
Likewise the wheels of justice re.
NAMED at Standstill in the National
Capital today. The United States Su.
preme Court. which had adjourned yes.
terday out Of respect to the memory OF
It's former Chief Justice and the late
Justice Edward Terry Sanford, held a
brief session this morning. Then it adj.
1ourned again TO permit the justices &c
attend the funeral of Mr.. Taft. Regu.
lar business will be resumed tomorrow
with the handing down of opinions
which were ready for delivery yester-
day.
The District Supreme Court, where
the bribery trial of Edward L. Doheny.
wealthy oil man, is pending, also was
closed today, as were the other judicial
tribunals in the city. They will resume
tomorrow.
Police Court closed early TODAY by
orders OF Frank A. Sebring, chief clerk
ana Presiding Judge Gus a. Schuldt.
While the United States and jury
branches did not convene at ALL the
Trafhc and District of Columbia Courts
| opened for a few hours. The latte,
branch tried only persons who were
| locked up and the former a few of the
more important cases.
AT the Capitol, except for the period
when the body of the former President
laid in State within the rotunda. all
legislative business was at a standstill
Both the Senate and House yesterday
had adopted resolutions expressing their
sorrow at the passing of Mr.. Taft and
| Justice Sanford before adjournment was
taken until tomorrow.
Naval Employees to Attend Funeral.
Acting Secretary Ernest Lee Jahnckt
before noon signed an order directing
that all Navy Department employees who
wished to attend the funeral of the for.
mer President and Chief Justice might
| do so. The order stated that these EN-.
ployes might leave the department a
1890 o'clock, and it was considered
that practically the whole personnc
would be out of the department durin,
the afternoon.
Early today it was said that tn
| Public Library and all its branche
would remain open as usual this after
noon, but the doors Of the Library O
Congress were CLOSED to the public a
1890 o'clock. They will reopen at 6:3
o'clock for the usual evening hours.
Out of respect to the memory of MI
Continued on Page 4, Column g.