The Washington herald., 1912-02-02
NOW THINK
GOVERNMENT PAYS
Mr.. G Gude Say It Not Known
Washington Finances
the Inauguration.
OF BUSINESS MEN

That large proportion OF the citizens
Of the United States are OF the opinion
that the government manages and
finances the Inauguration ceremonies and
are ignorant OF the fact that this tre-
mendous undertaking has always been
handled by citizens OF Washington, was
the declaration made yesterday by Will
lam f. GUIDE formerly president Of the
Chamber OF Commerce. He believes that
the people OF the country are desirous
that the Inauguration ceremonies should
be managed by the government
"On several occasions when talking
about Presidential inaugurations with
some OF the biggest business men OF
other cities" said Mr.. GUIDE. Il was
astonished to find that they thought the
financing OF such affairs was managed
by the government. They said they con-
sidered the inauguration Of President
a national event, and never dreamed but
what II was managed and financed by
the national government. This only goes
10 show that It is the opinion OF the
people of the country that the inaugura-
tions should be national in character.
II have served on the inaugural COM
mittee and know that an inaugural ball
is essential IL We are to handle the In
auguration Of the next President In the
same way We have those Of the past. II
is very doubtful II permission TO use the
Pension Office for the ball will ever again
be granted. Unless We have n ball We
cannot have an elaborate celebration.
for II would be impossible to raise a
sufficient Inauguration fund when all
money subscribed will be in the nature
Of gift
Suggestion Is n Good One.
.s-rbe sugrestion made bv The Washing
ton Herald said George W. White, the
banker. that the Inauguration Of the
President of the United States should be
national and not merely a local event is
a good one. I firmly believe that the ma
tional government should lend hand in
preparing for this importance occasion. /
believe that there should he an approria- !
tion made by Congress which will be OF
sufficient proportions to cover all expenses
in connection with the Inauguration cere- |
monies, and that the business men Of
Washington should not be called upon |
to finance the affair. They have always |
done their part. and It is now time that |
the government should do likewise
Il believe that a feature of the next |
Inauguration should be the attendance |
of the governors Of all the States and as
many Of the members Of their respective |
staffs as are able TO come. In this way |
sented in the inaugural ceremonies. OF |
course. II has been the custom for many |
years for a number of the governors 10 |
attend the inauguration, but j believe |
that every one OF them should partici- |
pate.
Il mention this feature because 4 be-
lieve that Il Is something that can easily |
be accomplished. The governors of the |
different States are now organized into a /
council which meets annually 10 discuss /
matters of Importance pertaining to the |
welfare OF the nation. Why not arrange /
their meeting places so that they will
gather in Washington every four years?
They could hold their convention either
Immediately before or following the inau-
gurstion date. 1t would mean no great
amount OF additional expense, and for
that reason I believe the scheme to be
feasible"
Not n Money-makInE Affair.
Edward ". Dom, jr.. chairman Of Tia,
decorations committee at President
Taft's Inauguration, said:
II believe tha- there should lie ap-
propristed a sum sufficiently large 10
meet the expenses in connection with the
Presidential inaIgurations for the re1-
son that there are n great many people
throughout the country who are OF the
impression that the inauguration ceTe-
monies constitute d great money-making
for the citizens Of Wash
inston. II thu government took a hand
in the inauguration this false impress
sion would Immediately be corrected, l.
and the people who have had the wrong
views regarding the affair would then
come TO a proper understanding.
IF IL was known that the government
was undertaking to finance and manage
the next Inauguration 1 am sure that the
attendance would be much greater than
ever before. The affair would then be-
come national in character and every one
in the country would feel that he had a
right in participating.
'T would not suggest any radical
changes from the present form of in
auguration ceremonies. L believe that
we have adopted plan which meets with
approval The day has come,
when the business men OF
should not be looked upon
to provide a 10000 fund for the IN
auguration. I am OF the opinion that
permission to use the Pension Office for
the ball will never again be granted. De-
prived OF the only money-making propo-
sition in connection with the entire event.
I know that less than one-third of the
necessary inaugural fund could be raised.
The people of Washington will not pay
out $4,000 to meet the expenses Of an
affair which is properly a national event