The Washington herald., 1909-03-11
COMMITTEE ACTIVE
TO CHANGE DATE
Last Thursday in April for
Future InauguratiOnS.
WILL PRESS HoAR RESOLUTION
week in which George Washington
Was First Inducted Into office
Meets with General FavOr-Mr.
Macfarland Reviews the Progress
Made-Letters from Governors.

Inauguration day viii be on the firing
line" within a week Taking the lesson
OF March to heart. the national COM
mittee is losing no time in driving it
home on Congress and the country.
The first meeting OF the committee on
the proposed change met at ? O'Clock yes
terday afternoon In the District Building,
Chairman II. B. F. Macfsrland presiding.
Those present were Thomas w Smith.
Gen. John w Foster. Gen. Nelson A.
Miles c. J. Bell S. ". Woodward. c. c.
Glover. Gen. John NJ. Wilson. E. J. Stell-
wagen, w F. GUIDE. Justice John NJ. Har-
Ian. and Scott c. Bone.
II was agreed to press the resolution
drafted by Senator Hoar and twice adopt
ed by the Senate, changing the date Of
inauguration to the last Thursday in
April This was the day OF the week on
which George Washington's first inau-
guratiOn took place. April 50. 1lSs.
subcommittee Named.
A subcommittee was appointed. consist
ing Of Chairman Macfarland, c. c.
Glover, and Gen. John W. Foster. to
confer with Senator Depew as to the reso-
luton he has introduced in the Senate,
and also to procure the introduction Of a
resolution in the House when it meets in
extra session next Monday.
AS an object lesson. II was agreed the
Weather Bureau records should be
brought up to date for both March and
the last Thursday in April and the con-
trast emphasized
All the speakers expressed great conf
dence that the resolution would be adopt
ed by two-thirds Of Congress and by
three-fourths OF the State legislatures.
As chairman Of the committee, Mr..
Macfarlsnd reviewed the progress made
slnce IL was organized. in 1901. stating
that great interest had been shown by
the governors OF the States and Terri
tories. and that he was now engaged in
corresponding with the new governors
who began their services on the first of
last January A number Of them were
IN Washington on Inauguration day, and
are personally interested in the move
ment for the change OF date.
The sction Of the committee I'm agree
ing 10 continue TO work for the last
Thursday in April as the day for inaugu-
rations was unanimous. Two considera-
tions governed the committee in chosing
this day-because Il was the day Sena-
loI I4DdL EGlrEAc4 III u0llDA VI ~ u1llAAA
ton, ana because the Senate passed II
twice. The committee will endeavor TO
obtain the cooperation Of all who are
interested in a change OF date. in sup
porting the proposition for that day
rather than any other.
Speakers pointed out the fact that all
should agree upon the one date TO be
pressed before Congress. so as not TO
scatter the strength of the movement
Letters from Governors.
Commissioner Macfarland has not yet
heard from the governors Of States and
Territories who entered upon their terms
OF Office in January. but among those
who were asked 10 act upon the national
committee on the proposed change OF in
auguration day and favor the change 20
the last Thursday IN April, according TO
the Hoar resolution, the following replied
during the last two years:
Gov. Charles Z. Hughes. Of New York; II gives
ne pleasure 10 consent 70 serve on the national
committee on the proposed change q Inauguration
day. and to cooperate. far as 1 properly may 10
bring about the desired change.
Gov. W B. Hozgztt Of Alaska: 7 shall be very
glad TO serTe on the national committee n ny CO
operstion with you can be of any help as | am
fully IN accfrd with your conmittee rs 20 the
desirabity of a change uf date q the Inauguration
Of our President
Gov. ". F. Fresr. os Hawaii: 7 shall be vcry
glad 20 serve the national committee and % Co
operate IN bringing about the desired result
Gov. T. F. Noel. of Mississippi: Your letter ask
ing me whether would consent 10 serve on the
national committee on the proposed change q il
augIrGtiou day, and whether I would Cooperate In
bringing about the desired result IS before me. I
VIII c0rssnt % serTe and wiz gladly give ny CO
operation 70 the change. Our legislature has ad-
journed and win not meet again until January next.
and so no request for resolution from them can
Be made sooner.
Gov. John Franklin Fort Of New Jersey: Yours
With relation TO changing the date Of the inauEua-
ton Of the President a the United States IS re-
ceiged. / have no objection 20 serving or the
committee and 10 cooperate with you in getting the
time q year changed
Gov. George Curry, of New Mexico: take pleas
ure in stating that ] shall be very glad indeed 70
serve on this committee. and furthermore. that I
shall all the influence I may have with my
friends toward securing Congressional action in the
premises. of the opinion thar more insult
able day. far As weather is concerned. could
have ben select q than the fourth day Of March
for Presidential nauZ1ltOns. and ths fact that
every Inauguration day in the past has ben attended
hy slch serious results IN the way q illness and
death coming 70 a number Of people. many Of whom
haye been valuable servants of the nation, should
hasten representatives, in Congress 70 take this
question and speedily dispose Of II.
Gov. John Burke. of North Dakota: Yous OF
fecnL cate II reference 10 changing the date q the
Inauguration Of the President and Yice President Of
the United States is received. In reply | viii say
that the ressons you urge for the change seem 10
me to be sufficient. and I shall be glad 70 comuiv
with your request and act on the national com
mittee.
Gov. g. n. Haskell Of Oklahoma: I heartily con-
cur in TIE amendment you suggest The national
Inauguration day should be at a time Of the year
when it could bs matter Of pleasure ana con-
fort, well as Tor the preservation of health.
March Is rarely ever 1T day FOR public cere-
mony. sccept the Membership on the committee
and shall be very glad 10 assist il any way possible
Gov. Edwin ). Stuart, Of Pennsylvania: l beg
leave 70 say that win be pleased 70 accept honor
any membership on th@ committee. While il VIII
he impossible for me 10 take an active iuteres. 4,
the work Of the committee its purpose has nv fun
approval
Gov. Claude A. Swanson, Of Virginia: This Is the
first opportunity have had 10 answer yorr letter
in reference to the date for the Inauguration az tbe
President and Eico President q the United statsz
and the change % the last THURSDAY IN Arrii In
reply viii state that viii b. Tery glad 10 ajS m
any way can 70 have the aforesaid date cbang.6
Gov. J. o. Davidson. Of Wisconsin: Be.suse -
the reasons given in your letter an in favor a
this change being made. and win be pleased 10 do