The Washington herald., 1909-03-09
MACFARLAND GIVES
CAUSE FOR ACTION
Sends Letter Anent Change
in Inauguration Date.
NOTIFIES STATE GOVERNORS
Calls Attention TO Deaths as Result
of Exposure ia Washington Parade
on March Asks Consent TO Place
Names on Committee and CO-OPera-
tiOn In the Undertaking.

/ ne EOkeluCfS OF the states anu err
tories who took Office January / have been
notified by Commissioner Macfarland,
chairman Of the committee on the pro-
posed change of the date Of Inauguration.
or their membership on that committee.
The precaution is taken Of making the
appointments in the name OF the Office.
and not In the name OF the individual.
because the date when the question of
a constitution amendment shall come be
fore the State legislatures. should Con-
gress adopt it. is not known.
The COmmissiOner'S Letter.
Commissioner Macfarland's letter is as
follows:
Il have the honor TO invite your atten-
ton TO the proposed change OF the date
the Vice President of the United States
from the 4th Of March to the last Thurs
day In April. recommended by the na-
tional committee. composed Of the gov
ernors of the States and Territories and
twenty-one residents Of the District OF
Columbia.
The national committee desires 20 state
that there appears to be a practically
unanimous sentiment IN the country eX-
pressed by the governors OF the States
ana Territories and by the newspaper
press. in favor Of the proposed change Of
Inauguration day. The reason, OF course,
is that the 4th OF March weather has
been fatal TO many people and has i'm
paired the health Of many more of those
whose official or personal interest eX-
poses them 10 the elements on inaugura-
tion day The Weather Bureau records
for the last forty years show that the
weather Of the last week in april is as
kind as the weather Of the first week IN
March is unkind. day of the week.
rather than 2 day of the month, is pro-
posed for the new inauguration day. In
order 20 avoid the Inconvenience of hav-
Ing 1t clash with Sunday
AT the request Of the inaugural com
mittee Of 1901 the Commissioners OF the
District Of Columbia appointed a national
committee on the propose change Of IN
aUguration day. The governors Of many
States and Territories are members OF this
committee.
Provides Change of Date.
THE project progressed so far at that
time as the adoption in the Senate of a
joint resolution. introduced by Senator
Hoar. providing for a change Of date 10
the last Thursday In April. but IN the
House the proposition became complicated
with the questions as 20 the beginning and
termination of Congress. which prevented
favorable action.
The inclement weather OF the inaugu-
ration OF 1905 contributed 10 the death Of
several persons Of prominence IN public
affairs. and emphasized the need for a
change such as was proposed. The ma
tional committee in IS5 renewed It's tf-
forts The governors Of forty-five States
and Territories accepted service on the
national committee. The joint resolution
went through a similar course as In the
preceding Congress.
The very stormy weather of March
T. 1903. which compelled the holding Of
the inauguration ceremonies in the Senate
chamber for the first time in many years.
and which affected the health OF many
people, has emphasized the necessity for
the proposed change and has drawn
forth many expressions 10 that effect from
Senators and Representatives.
Members OF Committee.
The twenty-one members Of the com
mittee from the District OF Columbia. in
cluding all the surviving chairmen OF the
inaugural committees. are:
Henry B. F. Macfarland, chairman:
James l. Norris, secretary: Thomas W.
Smith. John W Foster, Admiral George
Dewey. Gen. Nelson A. Miles. G. J. Bell.
5. ". Woodward. c. c Glover. Frank A.
Munsey, John Joy Edison, Theodore W.
Moves. Justice John n. HsrIr Gen
John N. Wilson, John F. WHkin.. Edgar
d. Shaw. Scott c. Bone. John r. Nc
Lean. Edward J. Stellwagen. J. Henry
Small. jT.. and William r Guide
II write 70 ask that first you viii give
your consent to serve on the national
! committee on the proposed change Of in
auguratiOn day. and second that you
/ viii cooperate in bringing about the de-
sired result. Any suggestions you may
! have 70 make VIII be gratefully received %