Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-08

in the Constitution. which would be
made effective by Endorsement of three
fourths OF the sovereign states. but L
am inclined to think that many or the
states might refuse to ratify. Not all OF
the legislatures are sufficiently familiar
with Washington weather in March to
view the situation in its most serious
aspect
Despite Mr. Madden's belief. it is not
anticipated that his suggestion Will meet
that he has overlooked the fact that
II the President took the oath of Office
in quiet. non-pubiic way March T.
and that Congress then adjourned and the
members scattered to their homes, IL
would be practically next TO imposs bile
to get the official crowd together again
for an informal function-no matter how
deliberately it might be planne-a couple
OF months later.
Return to ''Simplicity."
Some members OF Congress who seem
to be afflicted with a crouch with respect
to any ceremonies at all. say that they
would like to see a return to the demo
cratic simplicity of former days. when
an incoming President is said to have
gone to the Capitol on horseback. pretty
much by himself Eitched his horse to a
nearby and convenient fence. took the
oath OF office. jumped on again and gal
loped back to assume his duties as chief
magistrate of the nation. These gentle
men apparently overlook the fact that If
a President tried that sort of thing now
adays he probably would be booted at
for Going something entirely incompati-
BILE with the present Notwithstanding oil
the United States OF America.
They would be brought to realize that
even democratic simplicity must rec
ognize the general fitness of things and
that a solitary gallop up the main ave
nue. of a great nation by its incoming
head on an occasion such as the 4th Of
March would probably be CONSIDERED
highly inappropriate.
New Member Favors Change.
Yes" said Representative Burns of
Tennessee to a Star reporter today, Il
think it would be a fine thing to change
the date Of the inaugural ceremonies
from the 4th of March to some time in
the latter part of April or May. If it could
be done without too great jar to the
Constitution of the United States or to
the machinery of government which CEN
tiers around that date.
Mr. Burns attracted considerable inter-
est at the Capitol today as a result OF
the fact that he IS the congressional kid
who has succeeded John Wesley Gaines.
Mr. Burns is a reasonably tail, quiet
looking dark-haired, niddle-aged citizen.
He intimated TO Star reporter today
that he had no ambition to shine as a
three-ringed circus.
Mr. Burns spoke very couuteously and
pleasantly OF his predecessor. Mr.. Gaines
Pneumonia Among Visitors.
Representative Peters of Massachusetts
received a letter today containing the
startling information that out of 500
members of the Massachusetts Coast Ar
tillery who came to Washington to par
ticipate in the inaugural ceremonies one
man has died from typhoid pneumonia,
one is dying and 1O1 members are crlti-
cally Ill OF pneumonia. Massachusetts
had 1900 troops i'm Washington for the
Inauguration, but these statistics sent to
Mr.. Peters relate only to the 500 members
of the Coast Artillery contingent.
Thursday morning-the morning OF
March 4-during the worst part of the
blizzard, the Coast Artillery stood in line
for two hours and half. it Is said. about
three blocks from the Capitol. without
even permission to break ranks.
Other members of Congress seen today
by a Star reporter say they expect TO
havoc among soldiers and civilians who
came to Washington for the inaugural.
1t is expected that the death rate
among inaugural visitors this year will
be appalling.
Long Favored Change.
Senator Chamberlain. who succeeded
Senator Fulton of Oregon. March 4. SAID
today:
II have for years believed the date OF
the Inauguration should be changed tc
a time later than March 4. The inaugu-
ration of the President and Vice Presiden;
is a gala day for the people of the nation
who come here from all parts of the
country and meet on a basis of common
patriotism. / am firmly of the opinion
that the Constitution should be amended
to provide the change desired