Evening star., 1947-06-29
Holiday Rush
OF Travellers
Is Under Way
Air, Road and Rail
Facilities swomped
By Heavy Demands

by ITalu, au, DuS, auto ana DOat
Washington residents are going
places to spend the Fourth of July
week end. On the other hand, visi-
tors by the thousands are coming
In fact, officials at several travel
centers said the rush Is already on.
This Is especially true Of automo-
bile travel. Calls being received at
the American Automobile Associa.
tion indicate half the Districts
population will be out Of town by
Friday, an official said.
His remarks were supported by
the Greyhound and Trailways bus
companies, both stating they are
running all available equipment over
the holiday.
The airlines reported bookings
for flights are heavy. starting with
tomorrow and reaching peak ON
Thursday. One line reported Al
flights each on July 8 and 4 were
booked solid. Other lines reported
numerous flights were sold out with
waiting lists being set up for those
hoping to take up cancellations.
Union Station officials anticipate
heavy travel both out of and into
Washington. Numerous extra sec
tions will supplement regular trains,
and many trains will carry extra
coaches. The expectation is that
rail travel will be heavy starting
Thursday afternoon and continuing
through Friday morning.
A comparative drop is then looked
for until Sunday, when District
residents returning home and visi-
tors leaving the city are expected
to jam the trains Sunday afternoon
through Monday morning.
Beaches Are Popular Spots.
Washington residents are going In
all directors for the long holiday.
Calls have been received by vari-
GUS agencies for information about
nearby and not-so-near beaches.
parks, the Skyline Drive, Luray
Caverns, and even Miami. Reserva-
tions at most beaches, including
Atlantic City, already have been
filled, an AAA official said.
Meanwhile, Washington stay-at-
homes. as well as visitors here, will
have traditional Fourth of july
events to attend. The chief one will
be the Calvalcade of Freedom cele-
bration at 7:30 pm. Friday on the
Monument Grounds. More than
300, 900 persons are expected to hear
Admiral Nimitz and Senator Dwor-
shak, Republican, of Idaho, speak
and to witness the massing of colors,
fireworks and other events.
Admission to the grounds Is free.
but $4,000 seats are on sale at 81
esch, including tax. The program
is sponsored by the District Recrea-
ton Board, Greater National Capi-
tai Committee OF the Board of
Trade, Motion Picture Tneater
Owners of Greater Washington aid
the National Capital Parks. Seats
may be bought at hotels, the infor-
nation booth in the Star Building
and Peoples Drug Stores.
Col. e. S. Bettelheim, chairman Of
the Military, Patriotic and Veterans
Committee participating in the cele-
bration said more than 300 Ameri-
can organization flags will be
displayed in the nassing of colors.
Thirty-t1ve military and patriotic
groups will take part. The mass
ing will be directed by Col. Bettel-
helm assisted by Capt. William r.
Spillman. They will be escorted
by the American Legion National
Guard of Honor, commanded by
Capt. James Clarke.
Bigger Fireworks Display Promised.
G. Melvin Sharpe, head of the.
committee on fireworks, said the dis
play this year will be bigger than
ever.
Program chairman Gene Ford an
nounced that Charles Edwards of
WMAL; Evelyn Freyman, Washing
ton Chapter, American Federation
OF Radio Artists; Gloria Lee Brandt
of WWDC, and the Fact Finder
of WTOP will take part in a pro-
duction of "Our Common Heritage"
The invocation will be given by
DR.. Albert j. Mccartney of Chicago,
former pastor of First Covenant
Presbyterian Church here. P. Y.K.
Howat, chairman of the Executive
Committee directing the celebration,
will lead in the pledge Of allegiance.
The Army, Navy and Marine Corps
Bands will play.
Maj. Gen. Orval r. Cook, of the
Army General Staff, will speak at
the Independence Day celebration at
II am. in the municipal park at
Takoma Park, Md. A parade with
20 floats, featuring the United Ma
tions, an Instrument of Peace" will
precede the exercises, general chair
man Willard D. Normandy an
nounced. Approximately $500 per-
sons. including representatives Of
patriotic and veterans organizations,
will take part in the parade.
Eight landing craft and a patrol
vessel will anchor off the Naval Gun
Factory, NJ and Eighth streets Sc,
wednesday. They will be open to
the public Friday morning and
afternoon, and Saturday and Sun
day afternoons.
The program there is part OF the
Nays observance of the 200th an
riversary Of the birth Of John Paul
Jones, early American naval hero.
Carnival at Chevy Chase.
A Fourth Of July carnival will be
held at Meadowbrook Saddle Club,
East-West highway near Chevy
Chase, Md, Friday afternoon ana
evening under the sponsorship Of
the Bethesda Chamber of Com
merce, the Bethesda Civitan Club
and the Bethesda Chevy Chase
Lions Club.
The District Recreation Depart
ment reported picnic grounds m the
city areas IA parks have nearly all
been assigned.
II the weather is pleasant the gols
links, tennis courts, baseball fields
and other athletic facilities In
Washington are expected to be
crowded.
Rules for making "a safe and
sane July Fourth holiday weekend"