Evening star., 1909-03-12
A Rare Opportunity.

Never before has the opportunity 10 SC
cure a change of the inaugural date been
as favorable as at present. Heretofore
ahe sentiment for a shift of schedule
aroused by bad inauguration day, such
as that of 1889. or that of 1893. or that
of 1900. has so far evaporated by the
time Congress met as to render the task
pf securing action by both houses i'm
possible of accomplishment. There might
be a general agreement that something
ought, to be DONE but the pressure OF
ptier business has prevented a concen-
fration upon the adoption of a constitu-
9ional amendment.
This year. by singularly happy coin
Cidence, an extra session of Congress has
been called to pass tariff revision bill.
3mmediately following a change of admin
astration. Had the fourth been pleas
ant day this extra session of the two
houses would probably have availed moth
ing TO the end of getting action on the
long delayed amendment But, at what
ever cost in comfort, health and lives, the
day was of the precise character to serve
as compelling object lesson. The result
cannot be otherwise than action before
adjournment to the long desired end of
submitting the amendment to the state
legislatures for ratification. unless Con-
gress is totally deaf to the demands of
the people and forgetful of personal ex-
periences on the day of the great slush.
Signs are not lacking that members of
Congress will not forget this matter or
allow 1t to be slipped into pigeon hole.
The Star has addressed inquiries to all
the representatives. asking whether they
favor a change. Answers are being re-
ceived by every mail. The first INSTALL
ment Is printed today. Twenty members
of the House respond as being heartily
In favor of the proposed change to more
clement spring date. Many of these men
practically all of them-witnessed the
scenes of suffering enacted on Inaugural
tion day. Some of them were personally
affected by the distressing combination of
the elements. No argument is needed to
persuade them of the necessity and the
wisdom of shifting the ceremonial to a
safer season There can be no doubt that
the sentiment in the House is strongly
favorable to a change. and this will prob
ably be clearly disclosed by subsequent
responses to The Stars inquiry.
The only question now is whether the
Legislative program can be so adjusted as
TO permit the formal recording of this SEN
timent. The situation at the Capitol
should not at any stage of the extra ses-
sion prove obstructive of action. The
Senate will be free for miscellaneous work
for some time before the tariff bill reaches
that body, perhaps many weeks if the
rules question leads TO a prolonged dis
turbance in the lower house. There will
be no lack of chance at the north end of
the Capitol to restate the verdict of the
Senate, already recorded. in favor of
change of date. In the House there may
be time after organization and before
1he tariff bill is reported from committee
10 secure the adoption of the amendment.
But il the ways and means committee is
ready to report Immediately and there is
no long fight over the rules it may be
necessary to postpone action On the
amendment until after the tariff bill is
passed and sent to the Senate. Then
there will be some weeks of waiting. in
the course of which the joint resolution
can easily be made special order and
adopted.
Whether early or late the change-of-
date amendment should be rated as the
prime order of business for the extra ses-
sion, second only to the tariff bill. With
the popular sentiment in demand of a
change daily expressed through the news
papers of all sections. and with state leg
islatures passing resolutions calling upon
Congress to act, it is imperative that this
remarkably favorable opportunity to read
just the national calendar in the interest
of the lives of the people should be
grasped.