Evening star., 1938-07-02
THOUSANDST0SEE
FIREWORKS CLOSE
PATR0T|CFOURTH
Monument Grounds Rites
Take Stellar Role in
Capital Celebration. j.,
WEATHER FORECAST
IS LOCAL SHOWERS
Community Groups Plan Special
Programs-Warning Issued
for Safe Driving.

So NAAAS W "a AAAAk AOouCV
for Safe Driving.
While hundreds of Washington chill
dren eagerly looked forward to burning
Of sparklers and setting of Of fire.
crackers Monday in celebration of In
dependence Day. District officials and
civic organization heads busted them
selves today with nnal details of the
annual Monument grounds program
and community functions.
Possible local thundershowers to-
morrow and Monday were forecast by
the Weather Bureau The forecaster
said, however, no general or continued
rain is in prospect for this area. To-
morrow is expected to be slightly
cooler.
Meanwhile, railways, airlines and
bus companies reported unusually
heavy traffic as tens of thousands Of
Washingtonians left the city for the
three-day weekend holiday. and thou
sands of others arrived in the District
for the holiday
Automobile clubs were receiving
more inquiries about road conditions
and routes than in any single period
in several years, indicating extremely
heavy traf1ic on highways leading out
Of the Nations Capital
Railroad companies said yesterdays
exodus from Washington was ex-
tremely large, necessitating addition
of several extra sections Today the
roads were prepared to run number
Of extra trains to take care of the
demand.
Eastern Airlines reported reserva-
tions for the holiday are 80 per cent
greater than last year, and Pennsyl-
vania Central Airlines said its pas
senger trafiic was doubled yesterday.
American Airlines reported every
available berth sold Several lines
were expecting to add extra sections.
New Rates Instituted.
Officials anticipated an additional
increase in air travel over the week
end to result from Inauguration yes
terday of new rates for children be-
tween the ages Of and IL. Children
in this age category may now ride on
half-fare tickets. where previously
they had to pay full fare. Those un-
der 2 may ride free.
This new policy is in effect on the
hve major lines, Eastern, United,
American, Pennsylvania Central and
Transcontinental g. Western.
The United States Public Health
Service today issued a nationwide
warning to Americans to "be careful"
with fireworks, while the American
Automobile Association and Keystone
Automobile Club, cautioned motorists
through public statements to "drive
carefully"
Attorney Gen. Homer S. Cummings
will speak at the official ceremonies to
be opened at 7:15 pm. at the Monu-
ment grounds. preceded by a Marine
Band concert.
District Commissioners Melvin c.
Hazen. George E. Allen and Dan I.
Sultan issued call to all citizens early
this week to join in celebrating the
l62nd anniversary of the signing of
the Declaration of Independence of the
United States by displaying the flag.
10000 Seats Available,
The average attendance in previous
years for this event has been about
10000 persons, but only 10000 seats
will be available, it was announced by
c. Marshall Finnan, general chairman
Of arrangements.
The spectacular display of fireworks
will follow the set ceremony and light
the sky around the Tidal Basin and
Monument to such an extent it will
be visible for miles.
The exercises will go on the air at
o'clock over the National Broadcast
ing Co. on national hookup, with
DR.. Henry w. Snyder of Saint PaulS
Lutheran Church delivering the in
vocation.
At 8:02 pm. the Marine Band will
play one verse of America. At 8:03
pm. the crowd will give the pledge of
the flag At sos pm Mr.. Cummings
will talk. His address will be followed
by selection by the Drum and Bugle
Corps.
Representative Robertson, Demo-
crat, of Virginia will read the Declara-
ton of Independence at 8:17 pm.
The broadcast will end at $3.50 pm.
with the retiring of the colors, after
the playing of The Star Spangled
Banner"
The fireworks will begin with the
conclusion OF the broadcast.
Seats on Sale at Hotels.
Seats for the event may be obtained
at the Maynower. Willard, Raleigh
and the Washington Hotels, the Amer
lean Automobile Association, the Key
stone Automobile Club and the Com
munity Center Department. The price
Is Is cents.
For better control of traffic, tempo
rary regulations to go into effect
Monday have been approved by Super
tntendent Of Police Ernest w. Brown
Of the Metropolitan Police Depart
ment and Capt. p. j. Carroll of the
United States Park Police.
The Monument Grounds will be
closed to all vehicular traffic from
6 pm. until after the fireworks dis
play, except the south roadway of
the Monument Grounds, which will
be open for westbound traf1ic to FIJI
teenth street in the rear of the Bureau
OF Engraving and Printing to the East
Tidal Basin roadway. The latter will
be "one way'' west from Fourteenth
and Maine avenue SW. to the John
Paul Jones Statue.
Seventeenth street will be two way"
from Constitution avenue to the John
Paul Jones Statue, where southbound
trafic will be diverted west around
the Tidal Basin to the polo field. No
parking will be allowed on the east
side Of Seventeenth street between
Constitution avenue and the John
Paul Jones Statue.
Reserved Parking Arrangements.