JFK CALLS TRANSPORTATION POLICY "CHAOTIC"
President Kennedy said today that America's national transportation policy is a "chaotic patchwork of inconsistent & often obsolete legislation".
JFK asked Congress for a new national transportation policy that would emphasize less federal regulation & provide federal aid for mass transit systems in major cities.
Under JFK's proposal, railroads & trucking companies could cut rates on bulk commodities & railroads, airlines & bus companies could lower passenger fares all without approval from the federal government.
While JFK admits the cost of this proposed new transportation program will be high, he said:
"We must begin to make the painful decisions necessary to provide the transportation system required by the United States of today & tomorrow."
Greyhound Bus Station
Jackson, Tennessee
Photo by John White (2011)
April 5, 1961
KENNEDY & MACMILLAN DISCUSS SE ASIA
President Kennedy & British PM, Harold Macmillan, met today to discuss the deteriorating situation in Southeast Asia.
They also discussed other issues concerning cooperation of their two countries in foreign policy.
Prime Minister Harold Macmillan
April 5, 1968
JAMES BROWN CONCERT KEEPS PEACE IN BOSTON
The leaders of Boston's city government considered cancelling tonight's James Brown concert at the Boston Garden following a night of riots & protests in the aftermath of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee.
Tom Atkins, a city councilman who is African-American, suggested going ahead with the concert which would also be televised in the area "live". His suggestion was approved.
As a result, Boston saw less crime than under normal circumstances.
Brown's concert, planned long in advance, was dedicated to the memory of Dr. King.
James Brown at the Boston Garden
April 5, 1968
April 5, 1969
100 THOUSAND ANTI-WAR PROTESTERS MARCH
100,000 anti-war demonstrators marched in New York City today demanding the United States withdraw from Vietnam.
The protesters included members of the National Mobilization Committee, the Student Mobilization Committee & the Socialist Workers Party.
Pacifist Quakers also held sit-ins at draft boards.*
*The weekend of anti-war protests ended with demonstrations & parades in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. & other cities.
April 5, 1955
WINSTON CHURCHILL RESIGNS AS PM
Sir Winston Churchill, who led Great Britain to victory in WWII, resigned today as Prime Minister.*
*After his retirement as PM, Churchill continued to serve in Parliament until 1964.
Sir Winston Spencer Churchill
April 5, 1792
WASHINGTON EXERCISES VETO POWER
The Constitution of the United States gives the President of the United States the power to veto laws passed by the Congress of the United States but until now that power had never been exercised.
President George Washington, whose every administrative move sets a precedent, used his veto for the 1st time today.
The bill sent to him passed by both houses of Congress would have set up a new plan for dividing seats in the House of Representatives that would increase the number of seats for northern states.
The President, counseled by his cabinet, believed the legislation to be unconstitutional.*
*The Congress did not even attempt to override the veto but instead submitted a new bill that apportioned representatives at "the ratio of 1 for every 33,000 persons in the respective states".
George Washington by Gilbert Stuart (1797)
April 5, 1614
JOHN ROLFE & POCAHONTAS MARRY
With the blessings of both the governor of Virginia & Chief Powhatan, English tobacco planter John Rolfe married the daughter of the chief, Pocahontas, today in Jamestown.
There is widespread hope that this marriage will bring peace in the colony.*
*Pocahontas gave birth to their 1st child, Thomas & in 1617, while visiting London, died of smallpox. She is buried at the parish church of St. George in Gravesend, England.
Pocahontas Statue
Gravesend, England
