Evening star., 1909-03-11
UNITE ON APRIL DATE
Last Thursday Is Favored for
Inauguration Day.
COMMITTEE TAKES ACTION
Campaign for Change Mapped Out at
Meeting.
WEATHER BUREAUS FIGURES
Statistics Will Be Gathered to Show
Necessity for Holding Ceremonies
at Later Time.
WEATHER BUREAUS FIGURES

In outlining plans for pushing forward
the movement for a change OF the m
augural date from March to the last
Thursday in April. the members of the
national committee on the proposen
change of inauguration day decided at It's
meeting held in Commissioner Macfar-
lands office yesterday afternoon 10
secure data from the organizations which
visited Washington at the recent inaugu-
ration showing the Illness and death re-
sulting from exposure, on that day.
The committee will also secure figures
from the weather bureau showing the
difference of temperature March and
the last Thursday in April. This data
was obtained in 1902 and it will now he
, brought up TO date. The records pre-
sented to- the committee at that time
showed an average difference of 90 de-
srees between the present and the pro-
posed inaugural dates.
There were present at the meeting YES
terday Commissioner Macfarland Thomas
w Smith Gen. John W. Foster. Gen
Nelson A. Miles. c. j. Bell. ). W. ood-
ward C. C Glover. Gen. John NJ. Wilson,
Edward ]. Stelwagen. w. f. Guide. scott
{ Bone and Justice John NJ Harlan.
The committee decided TO urge the last
Thursday of April as the date for the IN
auguration ana the members pointed out
that all interested should agree upon 'he
one date 10 he pressed before congress;
50 as not to diSsipdtc the strength OF
the movement
Sentimental Reasons Urged.
-rEt action of the committee in agree
in; to continue Ia press for the last
Thursday in April was unanimously and
heartily reszssd. The committee felt that
alrthc effort wTfich had been made during
The past eight years for this particular
date. together with the reason OF senti-
ment which prompted Senator Hoar to
change his original resolution from the
last Wednesday in April TO the iast
T TUrsday in April because the first
George Washington inauguration fell on
the last Thursday in April together with
rhe fact that the Senate had twice passed
the resolution in that form, made II de-
sirable to adhere to that particular date
The committee will endeavor to secure
the cooperation of all who are interested
in supporting the proposition for that day
IA ther than any other.
The committee appointed a subcommit-
tee consisting of the chairman. Mr.. Mac
fariand: c. c. Glover and Gen John w
Foster to confer with Senator Depew as to
the resolution which he has introduced in
the Senate. and also to secure the intro
duction of a resolution in the House
when it meets in the extra session next
Monday.
The committee expressed strong confidence
that the resolution would be adopted by
tw6-thirds of Congress end by three
folirthS of the state legislatures, in view
of the strong arguments emphasized by
the experience of last Inauguration day.
Interest in the States.
Mr. Macfarland. as chairman of the
committee. reviewed the progress made
since II was organized in 1901. stating
that great interest had been shown by
the governors of the states and terri
tories forty-five of whom at one time
were members of the national committee,
and that, ne was now engaged in CORE
spending with the new governors, VINO
began their service on the 1st of Janu-
Washington on inauguration day. and
are personally interested in the move
ment for the change of date.
Gov. Hughes of New York, Gov, Stuart
of Pennsylvania and Gov. ort of New Jer-
sey, were among those in Washington
inauguration day, who had previously ac-
ceBted service on the national committee,
and Mr.. Macfarland stated that they
are more earnest than SHer In their ad-
vocacy of the change.
Members of the comClttee also re-
ported conversations with governors,
senators and representatives showing
the general interest In the matter. and
indicating the probability of favorable
action.
Mr. Gudo president of the Chamber of
Commerce. reported that a resolution
ia avoring thz change of inauguration DAY
had been unanimously adopted at the
meeting of the chamber Tuesday night,
March ..