Death of Roosevelt casts mourning pall over city
Schools dismissed; city offices shut; theaters, stores close Saturday; plants open
The Pittsburgh District joined the nation today in mourning the death of President Roosevelt.
City and parochial schools suspended all classes. County schools convened this morning, but were dismissed after “appropriate services.”
Duquesne University discontinued classes, while both the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Tech adjourned classes at noon today after memorial services.
The Retail Merchants’ Association announced this afternoon that the large department stores would be closed all day Saturday.
The East Liberty Chamber of Commerce announced late this afternoon that the large stores in that section of the city will follow the example set by the downtown merchants.
State liquor stores will remain closed all day at the order of Gov. Martin. Warner, Harris, Fulton and Loew’s theaters will be closed tomorrow as well as most of the independent “neighborhood” theaters.
Mayor Scully said he had been told by Louis Little, attorney for the Cafe Owners’ Association, that all cafés in the area have withdrawn their floor shows for tonight and tomorrow. The cafés will be closed during the time of the President’s funeral services tomorrow.
Members of the Allegheny County Retail Druggists’ Association will close their stores from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. tomorrow.
In Pittsburgh, all city and county offices closed today, in addition to the Superior, Orphans’, Common Pleas and Criminal Courts. Federal Court adjourned shortly before noon. All courts will resume sessions Monday.
There was no cessation of activity in the humming war plants, for despite the President’s death, both the management and labor knew that the task of forging the weapons of war must go on.
Fourteen mines in this area were shut down as miners paid tribute to the President.
Scores of affairs scheduled for tonight and over the weekend were postponed or cancelled by clubs and other organizations. Nearly all churches planned memorial services.
Carnegie Library branches will close tomorrow afternoon during the funeral services. The main library in Schenley Park will remain open.
Collector of Internal Revenue Stanley Granger announced that the two Pittsburgh offices of his bureau in the Federal Building and 715 Penn Ave. and 15 branch offices will close at noon tomorrow instead of 5 p.m.