Evening star., 1909-03-07
COMMITTEE IS FOR
INAUGURAL CHANGE
Depew Resolution in the
Hands of Friends.
SENATORS ALL IN FAVOR
Prospect for Action During Extra
Session Good.
SOME EFFORTS OF THE PAST
Force of Arguments Used Heretofore
Redoubled by Recent Expert
ence-The National
Committee.
Prospect for Action During Extra
Session Good.
SOME EFFORTS OF THE PAST


Eight of the nine members of the
committee on privileges and elections of
the Senate favor a change in tire date of
the inauguration of the President and
Vice President to a time of year when
balmier weather may be expected, and
the other one. who has not expressed an
opinion on the subject, is understood
10 take the same view.
This is the committee which will pass
upon the resolution introduced yesterday V
by Senator Chauncey NJ. Depew of New
York which seeks to make the last
Wednesday in April the time. BY unani-
nous consent the resolution was refer
red to that committed
There are four vacancies on the COM
mittee, caused by the departure from
the Senate March 4 of Joseph B. For
aker of Ohio, Chester /. Long of Kan
sas Philander G. Knox of Pennsylvania
and Frank b. Gary of South Carolina
These vacancies will be filled before
the committee meets again, and 1t is
practically certain that senators will be
chosen who favor the change, as the
sentiment in that body is practically
unanimous.
Senator julius G.. Burrows of Michi-
gan. chairman of the committee, said
yesterday that his vote would be cast in
favor of a change in the date. He was
unable to say how soon his committee
would be reorganized and be able to
take up the resolution introduced by
Senator Depew. 1t was his opinion,
hat bfn,
could be done at the extra session to be
gin March Is, If 1t should be decided to
confine 1T to consideration of the
tariff.
While Mr.. Burrows had not examined
the Depew resolution closely, he said he
understood it to be the same as ene in
troduced a number of years ago by the
late Senator Hoar of Mass. which had
been reported favorably by the COM
HaIttee.
An that appears to be necessary now
said Mr.. Burrows, lis to keep the SUBJ
ject alive until the proper time comes for
action
Change in Short Session.
Senator Beveridge, who is a member of
the committee. came out strongly In favor
of change in the date yesterday, pro-
vided IL can be effected without length
ening the short session Of Congre S. whicn
ends on March 4 every second year He
Is one of those who think the fathers of
the nation were wise in arranging a shorl
session in which the big supply bills may
be passed without being clogged with
general legislation %
Il believe" said Mr.. Beveridge, that
the right plan would be to move the in
auguration month ahead. and along
tf fh.af ..%
sentauves, and then Tx the time for the
beginning of the short session of Con-
gress about the first of January. con
Gress accomplishes nothing of great value
Iii the two weeks before the Christmas
holidays. and. furthermore. there would
be a great saving OF the pubic money
under such an arrangement, because there
would be no mileage to pay for the return
OF the legislators TO their homes for the
holiday period. That would be an idea
way to nix ii, and 1 would lena 1t my
hearty support
The other members of the committe ee
VINO have spoken in favor of the change
are Senator's Depew OF New ork, Dill
lipgham of Vermont and Dolliver OF
Iowa. republicans. and bailey of Texas
Paynter OF Kentucky and Bankhead OF
Alabama, democrats. Senator Frazier OF
Tennessee has not yet announced his
position.
Both the republican and democratic
senators have held their caucuses and
tic Il1Sl Steps toward HlIlnS The
committee vacancies for the new Con
Sress, and this is taken to be a good
omen for the consideration OF the sub
ject OF a new inauguration date at the
special session. The Senate will have
very little If anything. to do while II is
waiting for the House to pass the tariff
bill except 10 act on nominations by
President Taft. and 1t Is pointed out that
splendid way To occupy the time would
be 10 consider this important subject.
Prof. Moore's Opinion.
AN important reason why Inaugural
tion day should be changed from March
to some date In May said Prof Will
lis L. Moore. chief OF the United States
weather bureau. last night. lis that our
bureau can forecast with d fine degree
of accuracy every day in the calendar
but the fourth of March,
lie declared the execrable weather con
ditions OF the past three days FURNISH
d strong argument for the proposed
change.
1T would be far better" Prof Moore
continued. TO have inauguration day in
the middle OF January rather thar in the
first part of March, because weather con-
ditions are more constant in January.
and, while IL might De coiuer. tnere m,t..,
be less liability of snow rain and bad
marching conditions.
But the first day of May is the ideal
time Tor the ceremonies incident TO the
dent into Office. he vegetation is out
the city is beautifully clad verdure ana
the temperature is always mild. In May
there is no danger of extreme heat oi
extreme cold, and if rain occurs IL is only
of Il few minutes or an hours duration
Mcteorulogicay. there is every reason
why the date should be changed.
tuno H. rudolph. former president o1
the Washington Board of Trade, ha:
long been an earnest advocate OF the pro
posed change OF date. Speaking of The
matter last night. Mr. Rudolph said
II have voiced the sentiment in favor o
change of date for inauguration day fol
about sixteen years. I advocated it wher
j was president or the Board of Trade
| was glad TO note that steps I'm the righ
direction were taken In the Senate tOda.
and hope the matter will not be side
tracked II was four years ago. The
judiciary committees of the Senate anC
House should get together on the propo
sition and reach Il decision and then brint
tbout action I'm the two houses.
Postmaster Benjamin +. Barnes eX
pressed satisfaction al the movement -
The Senate yesterday i'm the matter of TIN
(('Ontinued on Tenth Pagel