Evening star., 1945-04-13
Capital Leads
InMourning
For President
Stores and Offices
Generally Plan to
Close Tomorrow

washing ION COQdy leo Cne NaClOrl
In mourning over the death of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, the Capitals First
Citizen for IL years.
Throughout the city, flags were
lowered to half staff, social and busi-
and Virginia will be closed all day
and some theaters closed, courts re-
cessed and memorial services were
planned in churches, Government
departments, schools and offices.
An announcement is expected mo-
mentarily from the White House as
to whether there will be some OH
cial observance plan for all Govern
ment departments, or whether each
department will decide it's own pro-
cedure. Offlcials of most depart
ments called meetings today to dis
cuss plans for memorial services.
The District Commissioners met
this morning to discuss closing the
District buildings. District courts
were recessed until Monday morning
by action of the general term ses-
sion today.
Stores to Close.
Schools remained open throughout
the day and memorial services are
scheduled in most school buildings.
Stores were open today but most of
them will close all day tomorrow, it
was announced. Groceries will re-
main open part of the day, Edward
d. Shaw, secretary of the Merchants
d. Manufacturers Association, said.
Banks will remain open, unless a
presidential proclamation declares
tomorrow an official national day of
mourning. Under law the banks
cannot close without congressional
action or presidential proclamation
of legal holiday.
The A Warner Bros. theaters in
Washington and nearby Maryland
and Virginia will be closed all day
and evening tomorrow, General
Zone Manager John J. Payette an
nounced.
Consider Closing.
Carter Barron, division manager
OF Loew's, said he had been advised
by Commissioner John Russell
Young that it was the Commission
er's personal feeling that it would
be a great tribute to close the
theaters until after S pm. tomorrow
and that it would be a fine thing
to do"
Mr.. Barron and other theater
managers said they probably would
follow this suggestion, but the final
decision had not been made.
In Alexandria Mayor William T.
Wilkins issued a statement announc-
ing that all city Offices will be
closed tomorrow. He has asked all
business houses and stores to close
insofar as is possible
Charles M. Jones, president of
the Chamber of Commerce, said
that the chamber is requesting all
OF its members to close, but recog-
nized that in certain cases it may
be necessary for food stores to stay
open a part OF the day.
County Observance.
Oflcials of the Alexandria
Amusement Corp. said they would
follow the policy of Washington
theaters in closing tomorrow.
In Montgomery, Prince Georges
and Arlington Counties special me-
mortal services were scheduled for
schools, and some county govern
ment offices and courts will be
closed.
The Hotel Association of Wash
ington was to meet this morning
to discuss curtailment of music and
entertainment for the remainder of
the week, Arthur j. Harnett, ex-
ecutive secretary, said
Because of war conditions, mill
tary personnel will not wear mourn
ing bands and gun salutes will be
dispensed with, officials said. Flags
at military installations everywhere
will fly at half-staff for 30 days.
The Navy Department has sent dis
patches to all naval stations and
vessels saying that memorial serv-
ices are to be held in all war the
aters tomorrow, and it is expected
that the War Department will send
out a similar order.
Oficials of the Washington Gas
Light Co. and the Washington Real
Estate Board both have announced
L l. L. III