Evening star., 1936-07-03
SHOWERS LIKELY,
Bit TD.C.PREPARES
FOR RGALAF0URTH
Monument Fireworks to Go
On if Rain Does Not Fall
at 7 PM.
OTHERWISE DISPLAY
WILL BE HELD MONDAY
Procession of Colors to Be Seen.
Communities Plan Own
0bservances.

The prospect of uncertain weather
conditions today failed to deter the
Capital from putting final touches to
plans for tomorrow's celebration of the
l6Oth anniversary of the signing of the
Declaration of Independence.
While the Weather Bureau fore
caster predicted occasional showers
and moderate temperatures tonight
and tomorrow, Washington citizens
looked forward to the traditional fan
fare and oratory scheduled to be con-
centrated in four community programs
and a city-wide fireworks display.
Exodus From Capital.
A fair-sized portion of the clty's
population either has gone out OF
town for the holiday or is planning
to do so. according to the railroads,
automobile clubs and airlines.
At Union Station, officials said both
incoming and outgoing travel was
heavy today and probably will con-
.tnue that way late tonight. EX-
cursions to Atlantic City and New
York seemed particularly popular
Several of the airlines reported they
were sold out" for practically all
trips today. The American Automo-
bile Association said it was swamped
with requests for directions to resorts
and scenic spots.
Visitors, however, appeared to be
filling the gaps left by departing
Washingtonians, most of the hotels
reporting they were filling up.
Fitting public and private festiv-
tiles throughout the city will be
climaxed in the flare of rockets and
the sound of martial music at the
Washington Monument tomorrow
night.
officials handling the celebration
announced that if it is not raining at
7 p.m.-15 minutes before the pyro-
technics are due to start-the program
will proceed as scheduled. In the
event of rain the fireworks display
will be postponed until $3.50 pm. Mon
day.
Speeches May Go by Board.
Should the weather interfere with
the ceremonies and delay the program
until Monday, speeches and other
events will be eliminated.
C. Melvin Sharpe, chairman of the
Fourth of July Committee, said the
fireworks display will be far more
elaborate and beautiful than ever be-
fore, and will include pyramid of
fire, a grand cannonade, the national
salute, two flying eagles, fiery battle
scenes and a variety of other pyro-
technics.
When the Marine Bands strikes up
its first march number color bearers
will assemble at Sixteenth street and
Constitution avenue to prepare for the
procession of flags, scheduled for 7:45
pm. Led by the Boy Scouts, with their
13 flags. the gigantic procession. in
Guiding more than 100 stands OF colors
supplied by patriotic and veterans or
ganizations, will march about the
Monument Grounds for half an hour
to the music of the Marine Band and
the martial sound of drums and bugles,
played by the Fort Stevens Band Of
the American Legion.
StudnT NduChuC CPCdhs
On stand erected in the shadow of
the Monument Rev. Charles T. Warner,
rector Of St. Adams Parish, will offer
the invocation, and the audience will
Join in pledge to the flag.
Sharpe is slated to introduce the
principal speaker, Senator Radcliffe of
Maryland. Col. Edwin A. Halsey will
read the Declaration of Independence
Tickets costing 25 cents each are
on sale at department stores. the Will
lard Hotel, the Washington Hotel. the
American Automobile Association and
other downtown agencies.
Police today were organizing squads
to handle the crowds which are ex-
pected to total more than 10000 per-
sons at the Monument Grounds alone.
The Monument Grounds will be
closed to all vehicle traffic from 6 pm.
until the fireworks are over, with the
exception of the south roadway, which
will be open for the movement of west
bound traffic to the Fifteenth street
roadway. Parking will be prohibited
on the east side of Seventeenth street
from Constitution avenue to the foot
of Seventeenth street. All motorists
bound for Virginia are advised to use
Fourteenth street rather than Seven
teenth street, because the Tidal Basin
roadway between John Paul Jones
Statue and Fourteenth street will be
closed.
Many Other Programs.
Ambulances are to be stationed on
the Fifteenth street roadway south of
Constitution avenue and also at the
foot of the South roadway in the Mon
ument Grounds west of the Monu-
ment. Red Cross tents will be erected
near each ambulance to supply first
aid and to care for lost children.
Besides the general downtown cele-
bration, programs have been arranged
Cor earlier In the day by the Associa-
tion of Oldest Inhabitants, the Ameri-
can University Park Citizens Associa-
tion, the northeast suburban Inde-
pendence day celebration and the Citi-
Eens' Associations of Takoma Park.
With william NICK. Clayton as the
principal speaker. the Oldest inhabi-
tants Of the District will hold their
traditional meeting at the old Union
Engine House, Nineteenth and H
streets, at 10 am. The regular busi-
ness session will be followed by patri-
otic exercises.
The northeast suburbs will hold
their program at the Taft Recreation |
Center, beginning with a parade at |
10 am. Miscellaneous sports ard q |
base ball game between the Taft |
A. @. and Police Boys Club No. 5