Evening star., 1909-03-05
PRESIDENT TAFT AND GOV. HUGHES.

for Inauguration of the next President
Gov. Pothier of Rhode Island. who. with
thirty-eight members of his staff. was re-
ceived by President Taft. was strong for
a change.
This weather yesterday ought to set
tie the matter now and forever. The
date of inauguration should be changed
to the best time of the year. which, am
told, is in late April or early May
Wanted Inauguration Postponed.
Had the advice of Representative James
Watson Of Indiana been taken hundreds
Of people would have been saved from the
colds from which they are suffering to-
day. Early yesterday Mr.. Watson real
ized that to compel volunteer and even
regular troops to march in the parade
under the weather conditions of yester-
day, to say nothing Of the score or more
Of civic organization, would unneces-
sarily subject them to discomfort and
possibly to pneumonia.
With this In mind. Mr. Watson hurried
to the Capitol and after conference with
some of the republican leaders in the
House he drafted a joint resolution which
would make it possible for Congress to
postpone the date of the Inauguration.
This draft. it was learned today, was sub
mitted to Speaker Cannon and received
his hearty approval With the way
cerned Mr. Watson found in a very short
time that the sentiment of the House was
such that there would be no serious OBJ
lection to the passage OF the resolution
which in effect would keep President
Roosevelt in Office a day or two beyond
the customary four-year term in order
that President-elect Taft might be in
augurated under conditions which wealth
erwise would be fair.
Mr. Watson then went to the Senate
and submitted his resolution to the lead
ers ON that side and urged that proper
regard for the health of the thousands
upon thousands who had come to Wash
ington to witness the Inauguration made
the adoption of the resolution absolutely
imperative.
No Chance for Resolution.
Mr.. Watson was informed. however
that the subject had been discussed in an
informal way and it had been ascertained
that certain Of the senators who are al
ways sticklers SO far as the Constitution
is concerned. would institute a fIibuster
to prevent the adoption of the resolution.
Mr.. Watson thereupon abandoned his
effort to get the resolution through but
he declared today that he was heartily in
favor of change In the time set under
the Constitution for the inauguration of
the President of the United States, and he
believed that Congress should lose no time
amending the Constitution SO that the
who come to Washington every four years
for that purpose might reasonably expect
fair weather.
Vice President Sherman when asked
by Star reporter today as to his atti-
tude toward the proposed change in the
inauguration. said:
Il shall be in accord with the wish Of
Congress in this matter"
Senator Burton of Ohio said:
Il shall certainly favor the change 1t
1,ar, hoa 1isI,a a1
except for inertia
Many Congressman Have Colds.
There were only a few members of
che House o Representatives around the
south wing OF the Capitol today. Most
Of these had colds or were feeling badly
in some other physical way as a result of
their participation In yesterdays fes-
tivities despite the fierce brand of wealth
er that prevailed and the disgusting con-
iitions under foot. Representative Oh
colt of New York. who marched with the
republican county committee OF his state
yesterday, interrupted his, chat with a
Star reporter long enough to take four
grains of quinine and to speak in terms
more emphatic than printable of yester-
days weather conditions. Every mem
ber who appeared around the Capitol
this morning announced in unmistakable
terms and in many instances in violent
language, that he would vote until the
COWS came home for any proposition to
change the date Of the inaugural from
the 4th of March to some time in the
latter part of April or the first of May.
All of these men seemed impressed with
Washington's average spring weather.
and willing, to take chance on any
spring rains or thunder showers.
AT any rate" said Representative
Tawney OF Minnesota. who yes erday
went on record as favoring the change
| in the date of the inaugural. I'VE would
| not have n blizzard at the last part of
chance of killing 4 few thousand peo-
pie as a result Of the distressing wea her
conditions that usually prevail at this
time of the year. I am sure that if a
historical compilation Of the various in
augurals since the foundation Of the
gvernment with its Capitol at Washing
ton could be made that we would find
that there have been very few instances
of good days, really pleasant. comfort
able days. that happen to bear the date Of
| the 4th of March. To me II seems that
! II the matter Of changing the inaugural
date can be accomplished without un-
| duly jarring the governmental machin-
cry that it should be done. Certainly
here is very little to be said in opposi-
! tion to the proposal. / should be glad
| to have Congress take the matter up at
the special session and start in motion
the necessary procedure to bring about,