Johnson Plane Now Scheduled To Land At Metropolitan Field

Johnson Plane Now Scheduled To Land At Metropolitan Field

President Lyndon B. Johnson will land at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on his way to deliver his 11 a.m. commencement address at the University of Michigan Friday, instead of at Willow Run as previously announced.

In a switch of plans, the President will arrive at the Detroit airport at 9 a.m., and then following a brief address will leave by helicopter by 9:30 a.m. for Ann Arbor. 

The helicopter is scheduled to arrive over Michigan Stadium at about 9:50 a.m., and land in an open area on the east side of the football arena, a White House spokesman said today.

The President will receive an honorary doctor of civil law degree from U-M President Harlan Hatcher prior to giving his address. The exercises are scheduled to start at 10 a.m., but the audience must be seated by 9:30 a.m.

President Johnson’s stay in Michigan will be short, no more than three hours. He is scheduled to return to the airport from Ann Arbor by helicopter and fly to Washington at noon.

Spokesmen said he will come only with aides and possibly some congressmen. His wife and daughters will remain in Washington.

Michigan Democrats said the arrival site was changed from Willow Run to Detroit Metropolitan because the latter will accommodate a larger crowd of greeters from more communities.

Democratic State Chairman Zolton Ferency said in Lansing today that security for the president will be the highest ever for any presidential visit to Michigan.

Ferency said that because the President’s visit has been termed non-political there will be no formal representation for Michigan Democrats. Ferency expressed hope, however, that "many Democrats” would be on hand. Ferency said he plans to keep an engagement in Marquette.

"Nothing at all is being planned by the party. This is a non-political trip and the entire thing is under the custody and control of the University of Michigan. We are not officially a part of this and I haven’t even been invited, Ferency said.

Some Democratic leaders who declined to be named, however, predicted that thousands of well-wishers will surround the area where the helicopter bearing the president is to land in Ann Arbor and give him a roaring welcome.

Gov. George Romney and his expected Democratic gubernatorial opponent, Congressman Neil Staebler, D-Ann Arbor, Lt. Gov. T. John Lesinski and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Lynn M. Bartlett will attend the President’s speech.

Five Democratic state officials including Atty. Gen. Frank J. Kelley, Secretary of State James M. Hare, State Treasurer Sanford Brown, Auditor General Billie S. Farnum and Highway Commissioner John C. Mackie will be absent, however, because of plans to attend a Democratic meeting in the Upper Peninsula.

In Detroit today, an enthusiastic public reception was being planned for the President’s arrival at Metropolitan Airport. Detroit Mayor Jerome Cavanagh said he was going to urge all area communities to give the president the “red carpet” treatment at the airport.

“I know all governmental officials and educational leaders will want their people to show the president Michigan’s warm hospitality and enthusiasm,” the Detroit mayor said. A White House official outlined the President’s three-hour visit to Cavanagh, a Democrat, and other Detroit officials yesterday.

Meanwhile, frantic preparations were under way in Ann Arbor for handling the crowd of some 87,000 persons who are expected to be seated in Michigan Stadium, provided the weather is good.

U-M Health Service Director Dr. Morley Beckett said last night that a first aid station would be set up under the stands on the north side of the Michigan Stadium press box. Three doctors, several nurses, and an ambulance will be at the ready at all times, he added.

READY FOR RAIN: A speakers’ platform and chairs are in place in well-groomed Yost Fieldhouse as a haven in a storm in the event the University’s commencement exercises Friday morning are rained out of Michigan Stadium. The formal program, headlined by a commencement address by Lyndon B. Johnson, will be held here with graduates and their guests present, and transmitted by closed-circuit television to four lecture halls. At the time this photograph was taken, the platform was being utilized by the University’s track team for a team picture.