Evening star., 1948-02-21
NanyLeaveCity
Capital Gets
3-Day Holiday
Groups Plan to Honor
George Washington on
2l6th Anniversary

Washington residents today were
leaving the city in large numbers for
three-day holiday while others
were completing arrangements for
ceremonies to mark the 216th ami
versary OF the birth of George
Washington.
With February % falling on Sum-
day. Government workers generally
will have holiday Monday. Schools
and banks will be closed Monday
and most stores will close early for
half holiday.
The exodus of those taking holiday
trips began late yesterday when
Union Station was crowded with
Government employees and others.
This movement continued today.
The station reported also that
there was considerable inbound traf-
flc as residents of other areas took
the opportunity to visit the area
where Washington lived, the ground
on which he walked, and the great
est monument the Nation ever
erected to man.
hOtOTlStS are Act1Ve.
Many Washington area residents
were making trips by motor. The
American Automobile Association
said inquiries about highway con-
ditions had increased by 10 or Is
per cent. Some of the motorists were
headed South others were driving
toward winter sports areas in the
Poconos of Pennsylvania and even
farther north. The inquiries indi-
Gated that the Skyline Drive in Vir-
ginia, ignored during the winter,
would see increased travel.
The chief ceremony at Mount
Vernon tomorrow, sponsored by the
American Legion, will include an
address by Attorney General Clark
A wreath will be placed at the tomb
of the first President by George
Washington Post No. l and Alex
andria Post No. "a of the Legion.
Collaborating in the ceremonies
will be District Legionnaires led by
Owen c. Holleran, department
commander, and Virginia Legion
naires led by John Minnigh of Alex
andria.
The program will be broadcast
over the Mutual network from 1:30
to 2 pm.
Mondays Exercises.
On Monday at 1890 am. the
Sons of the American Revolution.
the Sons of the Revolution, the
Daughters of the American Revo-
luton and the Children of the
American Revolution will join in
ceremonies in Continental Hall.
Chief Justice Marvin Jones of
the Court of Claims will speak on
the Makers of the United States
Federal Constitution There will
be music by the Marine Band Or
chestra. A wreath will be laid at
the base of the Monument.
Justice Jones also will address
members of the patriotic groups at,
a luncheon meeting at 1890 pm.
AT the MayfoWer Hotel.
A three-day commemoration of
the birth of Washington by the
Veterans of Foreign Wars will open
at o'clock tonight when the or
ganization will hold its annual din
ner and dance at the Hotel Statler.
Speaker Of the House Martin will
deliver the principal address.
At w m. tomorrow the organi-
cation will lay wreaths at Washing
tons tomb at Mount Vernon. A
wreath from President Truman will
be placed by one of his aides. Com
mander in Chief Ray H. Branna-
man will place wreath in the name
of the national headquarters Of the
V. F. w, while President Dorothy
Mann of the Ladies Auxiliary will
represent that group.
Luncheon at Alexandria.
Following the Mount Vernon
ceremonies there will be luncheon
at the George Mason Hotel in Alex
andria.
At pm. Monday there will be
a parade in Alexandria. sponsored
by the Alexandria V. F. w. Post.
1t will iorm at Jefferson and st.
Asapn streets, and the route of
march will be north on Washing
ton street to Princess street.
Washington'S Farewell Address
will be read at the annual cere-
monies of the Association of the
Oldest Inhabitants of the District
on Monday. The association will
meet IN the Old Onion Firehouse
at Nineteenth and H streets NV. at
1890 am. and Fred A. Emery will
read the address.
Charles H Bates will lead the
salute to the flag and pledge of al
legiance. John Clagett Proctor,
president of the association, will
read an original poem. The princi-
pal address will be made by Senator
Cain. Republican, of Washington.
The Police Band, led by Capt
Charles Benter, will play patriotic
airs.
The Baltic Scandinavian Society
will hold it's annual George Wash
ingtons Day dinner at pm. to-
morrow at Bendall's AleXandrian
Room, 1925 Prince street, Alexan-
dria. DR.. Leonard Elstad, president
of Gallaudet College, will be the