Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-08-16
early Dismissal
For Vireinions
Recommended

LIOi mai OpCl dJlOIS on august
20, the day of the massive civil
rights demonstration here.
The board suggested, how
ever, that employers release
early some employees who live
in certain sections of Virginia
SO they can cross the Potomac
River bridges before 5 pm.
when it is expected the traffic
crush will be heaviest.
1t was also suggested by the
board that business houses di-
vert their vehicles and en-
ployeS from areas south of
Pennsylvania avenue and west
OF Fourteenth street NV. where
the marchers and their buses
will cause traffic congestion.
Regular Hours Planned
Board President Everett ].
Boothby announced today that
major business groups, includ- !
ing department stores, banks,
savings and loan associations
and food and drug chains, will
observe regular business hours
on the day of the civil rights
demonstration.
Our information is that
leaders of the organizations
sponsoring the gathering are
making plans for orderly dem
onstrationS and that local Of
ficialS have made suitable ar
rangements to take care of
them and adequately supervise
activities throughout the city.
I'VE are mindful of Wash
ington's demonstrated ability
to handle larger gatherings
than this one," said Mr.. Booth
by, land for these reasons we
recommend generally normal
community operations"
The Board stated that its
representatives, after discus
sions with Police Chief Robert
V. Murray, were satisfied that
excellent arrangements we're
being made throughout the
city.
Truck Bypass Urged
| Meanwhile, highway truckers
were being advised to bypass
Washington on August %.
The Interstate Comm ere e
Commission, acting on a sug-
: gestion of Metropolitan police,
has suggested that north
south truck traffic normally
using U. s. Rte. l detour around
the city via alternate U. s. Rte.
301 or other highways.
Police anticipate unusually
heavy traffic in the entire area
the day of the march.
Further congestion could re-
suit if railroad unions carry out
their threatened national strike,
scheduled for midnight of the
18th.
The United Rubber Workers
International Union officers
today, meanwhile, urged that
members of the union take
part in the march. A letter
from President George Burden,
Vice President Peter Bonn
marito and Secretary Treasurer
Ike Gold called on local union
presidents to "join in this
gigantic crusade for freedom"
to help organize caravans for
trips to Washington and to
send representatives to the
demonstration.
Eisenhower Comments
The proposed massive DEM
onstration. has also won the
Endorsement of former Pres.
ident Eisenhower, though a
Florida Democratic Congress-
man questioned the wisdom of
the idea.
Mr.. Eisenhower, returning
from a European vacation, said
in New York yesterday that
ANY demonstration that is
merely aimed at calling atten-
ton to injustices and is made
in peaceful assemblage, has
my approval"
Representative Bennett. how
ever, said the march has the
connotation of a military
movement and expressed the
fear that the marchers might
become a mob"
Support for the demonstra-
ton continued to build among
religious and civic groups, and
labor organizations.
Jewish Council Appeals
rhe Jewish Community
Council for Greater Washing
ton also called upon its mem
bers to give serious consid-
Grafton to participating"
The Unitarian Church OF
Arlington has Endorsed the
general detectives and basic
principles of the march, &C
cording to Robert S. Roe,
chairman Of the board Of trus-
tees. In a statement to the
congregation, it was disclosed
that the External Affairs Com
mittee Of the church will or
ganize the effort to provide
overnight accommodations for
out-of-owners and assist in
arrangements for Unitarian
Universalist ministers and lay
men coming here for the dem
onstration.