Evening star., 1946-02-22
Patriotic Groups
Mark Birthday
Of Washington
TroveI Rises 500
As U. S. Workers
Take Holiday

Take Holiday
A Nation once again at peace
paused reverently today to pay
it's respects to the memory OF
George Washington on the
214th anniversary of his birth.
The daJ was scheduled to be full
one for patriotic organizations in the
District and nearby communities.
For Government workers and many
others in private business the holi-
day meant a welcome three-day
week end.
The weatherman promised fair
skies and rising temperatures for
today and the week end and thou
sands of Government workers took
advantage of the opportunity to
visit their home towns.
Although Union Station officials
said the exodus did not approach
that at Christmas, they estimated
that travel was so per cent above
normal. Hundreds of persons seek
ing trains to New York this morn
ing were turned back at the gates
because of lack of train space.
Department stores and most other
shops were to remain open until l
pm. But schools, both public and
parochial, and all banks were to re-
main closed throughout the day.
Many Ceremonies Scheduled.
Dozens of ceremonies were slated
throughout the day, with attention
centering on Mount Vernon, home of
the First President during most of
his lifetime. Thousands of persons
were expected to trek out to the ma
tional shrine, many of them to place
wreaths at Washington's hillside
tomb.
The wreath-laying began at II
am. President Trumans wreath
was placed at the tomb by 1t. Col.
James H. Bate, senior White House
aide. Earlier Col. Bate placed
wreath at the Washington Monu-
ment and at Washington Circle,
both in the name of the President.
Other groups to be represented in
ath-laying exercises at the tomb
during the day include the American
Legion, the Veterans of Foreign
Wars, representatives of the various
States and members of the armed
forces.
Another wreath placed at the
Washington Monument was that of
the Association of the Oldest In
habitants. Frank H. Gummel and
William T. Martin took the as
sociation's floral tribute to the
Monument at 10 am. Half an hour
later, the association began it's
business meeting and annual exer-
cises in the old Union Engine House,
Nineteenth and H streets NV. Rep
lresentative Robson, Republican, of
Kentucky was the principal speaker
Others on the program included A.
j. Driscoll, who read Washingtons s
Farewell Address, and John Clagett
Proctor.
Joint Program Planned.
| A holiday program also was held
at 10:30 am. at Memorial Con-
tinental Hall, under joint auspices
of the Daughters of the American
Revolution, Sons of the American
Revolution, Sons of the Revolution
and Children of the American Revo-
luton. After the ceremony. the
group planned to adjourn to the base
OF the Monument for the placing of
wreatfs.
The Brotherhood of st. Andrew
held a breakfast at 9 am, preceded
by a corporate communion, cele-
brated by the Right Rev. Angus
Dun, Bishop of Washington, at st.
Paul's Episcopal Church, Rock
Creek Church road and Webster
street NV Bishop Dun was as
sisted by Maj. Gen. Luther Miller,
Army chief OF chaplains, who also
spoke at the breakfast: the Rev.
Charles w. Wood, rector of st.
PauPs, and the Rev. John r. An
schultz, chaplain of the Potomac AS
sembly of the brotherhood.
National Comdr. John Stelle of
the Legion made an address over
the American Broadcasting Co. net
work at 1890 pm. from Mount Ver-
non, after wreaths were placed at
the tomb by Legion representatives.
National Comdr. Joseph M. Stack of
the VFW also vii speak from Mount
Vernon at 5:45 pm. over the Colum-
bia Broadcasting System.
A parade of civic and patriotic
groups in Alexandria will begin at
2:30 pm. at King and Fairfax
streets and will proceed along King
street to West street. In the eve
ming the VFW will hold a banquet
at the George Mason Hotel, Alex
andria, at which the principal
speaker will be Maj. Gen. Paul r.
Hawley, surgeon general of the Vet
erans' Administration.
The 28th anniversary ball of the
District Department of the Ameri-
can Legion will begin at 10 pm.
in the Mayflower Hotel. The affair
has been arranged by Miss Jane
Cox. chairman, and John A. Long,
co-chairman of the Bah Committee.