Evening star., 1943-09-05
Workers Over Nation
To Mark Labor Day
Al Machines

IND workers In war plant
throughout the country, alon,
with those who toll for the Fed
eral war agencies in Washing
ton, carrying on their dali,
tasks to hasten victory insteat
of spending the holiday in ira
ditional fashion.
Countless others employed in es
sential industries will keep thei
machines moving instead of enjoy
ing the picnics and parades which
always have marked the day.
Yet there's still holiday for (
vast number who work in stores
banks and Offices, and these worker,
are resting-or trying to travel
today and tomorrow.
Union Station Thronged.
Union Station officials said the
throngs that gathered In size a.
the day wore on yesterday were
larger than usual, and they've be-
come used to daily crushes, with
peaks at every weekend.
While incoming and outgoing
servicemen on leave made UP q
majority of the travellers, there were
enough civilians to indicate that
many had disregarded the advice
of Joseph B. Eastman, director OF
defense transportation, to stay
home.
The railroads, having put on all
the extra equipment they have, said
in effect, Come and get It," There
was scramble for unreserved space
and there were no berths or Pull
man seats to be had, except in
rare instances where reservations
had not been taken up. Long lines
clamored in vain at the uptown
ticket Office and at the station for
reserved space.
While it was thought that the no.
holiday, no-leave edict In Govern
ment departments and bureaus had
slowed to an extent the travel out
of Washington, this was not no
ticeable on the surface. AS one
veteran station attache put 1t, II
don't miss any one"
Bus Terminal damned.
The Greyhound bus terminal was
q scene of similar intense activity,
with passengers turning back when
they saw the crowds waiting for
their buses and indications that q
good many others will fail to take
the buses they want today or to-
morrow.
The airlines reported business as
usual" pointing out that their
equipment has been sharply cur
tailed by military requirements and
they can't put on extra planes and
those they have are always booked
up far In advance. Priority travel
ers used most of the plane space
this week end. These include mill
taIy and naval personnel and Gov-
ernment officers on official business.
Others who hadn't made reserva-
tions were told, when they phoned
or went to ticket offices, that there
wasn't q chance.
The holiday week end demand
cid not greatly increase gasoline
consumption in the METROPOLITAN
area, Harry Wainwright, represen-
tative of the Gasoline Retailers of
washington, Inc, reported. He add
ed, however, that there was some
shortage of high test gasoline but
that standard grade supplies were
considered sufficient to meet current
needs.
Hotels Here Filled.
Washington's hotels were filled
but then they nearly always are
these days. From New York came
word that hotels there also had
hung out the IS. r. O." sign. BaIti-
more, said the Associated Press.
found its transportation facilities
taxes beyond July 4, then an all
time peak.
The United Service Organizations
IN Washington was planning a mass
Labor Day picnic today, from S to 9
pm. at Fort Kemble Park, lust
south of American University.
young women war workers will be
honored. In the even of rain. it
WIN be held at the National Catho-
lie Community Service USO, 1914
N street NV.
Because Washington's biggest in
dustry, Government, will run it's
regular shifts tomorrow, no parade
ana lew other Labor Day features
have been planned.
Ine Districts retail stores. which
nave been closed Saturdays during
July and August, were open yes
terday, but will be closed tomorrow
Banks and most other private busi-
ness establishments also will OBJ
serve the holiday.
Lack OF gas was expected to put
a severe crimp in holiday trips on
the highways, despite the end of
the pleasure ban.
Labor's War Effort Hailed.
II. c. Whitehurst, District direc-
tor of civilian defense, issued
statement yesterday praising labor's
contribution to the war effort. par
ticularly to civilian defense.
Nationally. the bulk of labor has
responded quickly and enthusiastic
cally to war needs, MFR. Whitehurst
recalled, adding And in no place
has this been more evident than
In Washington, through its Quick
and wholehearted support of civilian
defense"
He recalled that in the davs fol-
lowing Pearl Harbor, the Central
Labor Union quickly raised $3.50 600
for civilian defense equipment and
local hospitals.
Our police and fire departments
and hospitals" commented Frank
j. Coleman, secretary of the Central
Labor Union, "are now in much
better shape to handle casualties
as a result of funds supplied bv
members of organized labor"
Blood banks established with
funds of the CLU have made Wash