Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-08
FOR CHANGE OF DATE
Committee Selects New Inau-
guration Day.
APPEAL TO CONGRESS
LAST THURSDAY IN APRIL SUB
STITUTED FOR MARCH 4.
Commissioner Mcfarland Chosen as
Permanent Chairman of the Com
Enthusiastically Elected.

The movement to change the date of the
inauguration of Presidents of the United
States assumed active shape yesterday af-
ternoon. when the national committee hav-
Ing the matter in hand held Its first meet
ing 1t was unanimously decided the COM
mttee should urge the last Thursday in
April as the most appropriate date to sub
stitute for the 4th of March. Much of the
work of the committee is to be undertaken
by an executive and other committees
These committees will plan the course to
be pursued. and will energetically follow
that course. Mr.. Henry B. F. Macfarland,
president Of the board of District Commits
sioners. who has been largely instrumental
IN the formation of the committee was
elected permanent chairman. The meeting
was held at $3.50 o'clock in the board room
at the District building The list of the
governors of states and territories who
nave accepted appointment on the commit
tee was printed in The Star of yesterday
The personnel of the local committee was
also printed yesterday.
The meeting yesterday afternoon was
presided over by Commissioner mcfarland
as temporary chairman. There was a large
representation of the local members of the
committee, and there We're also present
Gov. Hill of Maine, Col. George l.. Morton.
chief of staff to the governor of North
carolina. as the representative of the gov
ieepi tStIldllN6 L. =. MCRae of Ar
Kansas as the representative of the gov
ernor or that state: Representative NJ E.
Benton, representing the governor of Mis-
souri, and Representative H. d. Clayton
on pehaIf or the governor of Alabama was
expected, but at the last moment teIe-
phoned his inability to be present.
Commissioners Opening Remarks.
Commissioner mcfarland. in calling the
meeting to order Informally set forth the
history of the inaugural committees, roeo
luton requesting the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia to appoint such a
number of persons as in their Judgment
and discretion might be necessary to con-
stltute a committee of national character
to consider the question of and to take
proper steps to secure the change Of tho
GATE OF the Inauguration of the President
or the United States from the 4th of
March to such date as in the Judgment of
said committee would be more suitable for
inauguration day.
This resolution set forth that there nrn-
vailed a general sentiment here and
throughout the country that a change Of
date was desirable, not only on account of
the inclemency of the weather in March
but for other public economic reasons. Mr.,
Mcfarland emphasized the unanim:ty of
sentiment In regard TO the movement end
the national character of it. He detailed
the steps taken in the appointment of the
committee and the approval with which
the movement was being met and then
read the replies of the governors of the
states and territories to the invitations to
De present at the meeting, as Wera pub
llshed in The Star yes1er1ay after noon
Permanent Officers Chosen.
Commissioner Macfarland reported that
the Senate had passed Senator Hoar's res
olutioD providing for the last Thursday in
April as the inauguration date He then gave
way as temporary chairman for the cleo
ton of permanent chairman. On motion of
Mr. Bell, seconded by Governor Hill Mr.
Macfariand was elected permanent chair
man. On motion Of Mr.. McRae, seconded
by MT Moves, Mr. James L. Norris vas
elected secretary of the committee
General discussion ensued In which the
members of the committee spoke OF the
widespread desire to have the Inaugural
ton date changed. as shown by the re-
SponseS of the governors and by other in
formation. The best way of presenting the
matter was also discussed. 1t was agreed
that the chairman should appoint an ex-
ecutive committee and such other commit
tees as might be necessary.
The Date Approved.
The question of what proposition should
be presented was fully discussed, and it
was resolved that it vas the sense of the
committee that the date of the Inaugural
ton day should be changed from the 4th
of March to the last Thursday in April.
but that no particular bill or resolution
was to be advocated. incidentally the oues-
ton of the extension of the term Of Con-
gress was considered, and it was agreed
that this committee had nothing to do
with the question of when Congress should
adjourn The proposition to fix the 10th
day OF April was considered, but received
no support, because it was felt that it was
better to name a day of the week rather
than day of the month. day that would
come always in the middle Of the week 81
as to avoid Sunday. The committee was
unanimously in favor of the last Thurs
day in April.
After some further conference the GEM
mittee adjourned.