Evening star., 1942-06-05
City Starts Plans
For July 4 Fete
On Potomac
Borees Anchored
Off Water Cote to Be
Scene of Fireworks

With a promise of the biggest
bangup affair the city has ever
SEEN" civic leaders started work to-
day on plans for a Fourth of July
celebration to be climaxed by a fire.
works display on the Potomac River.
Begun at the suggestion of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, the observance of
Independence Day will center at the
Water Gate, off which a number Of
barges will be anchored. An esti-
mated $1,000 worth Of fireworks will
be set OF from the barges following
concert Of the three service bands
Army, Navy and Marine.
The flags of the United Nations
will fly from the barges during the
course of the display.
Initial plans for the observance
were made yesterday at a luncheon
meeting Of prominent Washington
civic leaders, including Commission
ers Mason and Kutz, who gave their
approval. 1t was the President who
recently proposed a fireworks dis
play from barges as Washingtons
contribution to Independence Day.
McLachlen Heads Committee.
Following the Presidents sugges-
ton, the Commissioners requested
the new District Recreation Board
to proceed with the formation of
necessary committees and plans.
Named to head the celebration
committee was Lanier P. McLachlen,
president Of the Washington Board
Of Trade. He announced that COM
mittee chairmen would be an
nounced within q few days.
Commissioner Mason, addressing
the meeting in the Taft House Inn,
explained that originally it had been
planned to anchor the barges be-
tween Key Bridge and the Memorial
Bridge, but that this had been
dropped when it was realized that
Theodore Roosevelt Island would
block oil the view for spectators on
the Virginia shore.
Tickets to Be Sold.
Accordingly. 1t was decided to
shift the scene further downstream
to the Water Gate where seats al
ready are available and the display
can be seen from the other shore.
Commissioner Mason said 1t had
been agreed to sell tickets to help
defray expenses. He also reported
the Board Of Trade had agreed to
underwrite the venture. The group
yesterday approved a tentative esti-
mate OF 81 500 for the affair. The
Welfare and Recreational Associa-
ton will handle the tickets.
Despite the fact we are four or
five weeks behind" Milo j. Chris
tiansen, superintendent OF District
recreation, declared, this will be
the biggest bangup affair the city
has ever seen"
Harry S. Wender, chairman of
the recreation board and presiding
ofncer, yesterday read a letter from
the International Fireworks Co.
which has supplied material for
former District displays. Accord
ing to the concern, there is no
shortage Of materials for fireworks.
particularly If required for civic
celebrations, and the chemicals used
do not fall into the cateeory of
critical materials.
Bomb Display Suggested.
The only Government restriction
on the display Of fireworks thus far.
1t was said, Is prohibition along
the coasts.
Taken under advisement was a
suggestion Of Maj. Leonce Legendre
Of the local civilian defense Office
that the show include a bomb and
gas demonstration under auspices
OF the Army Chemical Warfare
School at College Park, Md.
Falling on q Saturday, the cele-
bration would be shifted to July 7,
in event Of bad weather. the group
agreed. 1t was pointed out that the
Water Gate summer symphony Is
scheduled for Sunday evening and
should it, too, be rained out, the
concert would be held on Monday.
approximately $500 worth of FIRE
works was set of on the Monument
Grounds last July. This would mark
the first time the display would be
held on the Potomac