Maureen Talks Reagan Into Joining ‘Hands Across U.S.’ : Line Will Run Around North Lawn

President Reagan abruptly changed his mind today and decided to join Hands Across America on Sunday to help raise millions of dollars for the nation’s hungry and homeless.

Presidential spokesman Larry Speakes said Reagan told aides this morning that he and his wife, Nancy, after a long family discussion Thursday night, concluded that they should participate in the privately organized effort to raise $50 million by forming a nearly unbroken human chain from Long Beach, Calif., to New York.

Speakes said Reagan decided to take part in the event after a lengthy conversation Thursday night between the Reagans and the President’s older daughter, Maureen, and her husband, Dennis Revell.

“It was the first time that the Reagans as a family had had an opportunity to talk about it, and they spent most of the evening talking about it,” Speakes said.

Surprised at Invitation

Maureen Reagan, advised of the President’s change of plans, said today that she and her husband will join the chain at the White House.

Of the family discussion Thursday night, she said, “The President was a little surprised to find out that he had been invited to participate, because he somehow didn’t know that.”

The President’s daughter said she assumed the invitation had been received at the White House, but had not reached her father’s desk. “We all thought it would be something he would want to do, and he did,” she said.

Invites 225 to Join Him

The President, who just days ago stirred controversy by remarking to schoolchildren that people in America go hungry only because they are ignorant of benefits, invited 225 members of the White House staff, including Secret Service agents and their families, to join him in the line around the North Lawn of the White House.

The Reagans will stand on the North Portico facing Pennsylvania Avenue at 3 p.m. EDT and sing “We Are the World,” “Hands Across America” and “America the Beautiful.”

There were no plans for him to speak.

Speakes, who several times this week said Reagan had no plans to join the line, denied that the President was stung by the reaction to his remarks to high school students Wednesday.

‘Uniquely American’

“The White House and First Family should be a part of Hands Across America,” the spokesman quoted the President as telling aides. “This is a uniquely American way to help our fellow man. The Reagan family will do its part.”

Shortly after the announcement was made, Reagan proclaimed Sunday as “Hands Across America Day,” another change in plans, since Speakes had said he would sign the proclamation Saturday. The spokesman also said the President will mention the event in his weekly radio address Saturday.

Albert R. Brashear, a deputy White House press secretary, said Reagan moved up the signing after he was shown a wire service story about the difficulties the organizers of the event are encountering.

He said that after the President informed White House Chief of Staff Donald T. Regan of his wishes this morning, it was decided that the Reagans could best participate by re-routing the line inside the White House gates. Previously, his spokesmen had said Reagan would not join the line because of security problems.

Anonymous Donor

Speakes said the $10-a-head donation requested from all those who join the line will be paid by an anonymous donor on behalf of the 225 volunteers that officials estimate will be needed to stretch the chain inside the White House gates.

He said that the Reagans will make their own contributions.