Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-03-04
SIMPLE DECORATIONS
REFLECT WILSON'S
IDEA FOR SIMPLICITY
National Capital Autter With Green and White With occa
sona Blazes of Red White and Blue Yet Whole Effect Is
One of Simple Dignity. 49,

WASHINGTON, March 4.-Presi-
dent Wilson'S desire for Jefersonian
simplicity is distinctly reflected in the
decorations of the National Capital
for his Inauguration today ~Whlle
the city is aflutter with green and
white--the color scheme adopted for
the whole affair-and there are oc-
easional blazes of red, white and blue
streamers with here and there touch
of Princeton's orange and black, yet
the whole effect is one of simple
dignity
The central point of this decorative
scheme is the Court of Honor, that
wide expanse of Pennsylvania ave-
nue. Immediately fronting and eX-
tending the entire length of the White
House grounds. Usually, great col
umns and arches of classical design,
with shields and banners and the IN
sigma of a Roman triumphS nave
marked this precinct of chief activity.
But today simplicity is the dominant
note, and nature taking the place OF
art. and great forest cedars replacing
the classic columns and Venetians
masts for past inaugurations. Be
fore this wide area usually stand out
the monuments and trees of Lafay-
cite Square, but today these were
shut off by great tiers of seats, rising
to the tree tops and sweeping along
the whole front of the park.
In choosing the decorating scheme
for this central point the Court OIL
Honor, as well as for the broad plaza
fronting the Union station, the en-
bellishment of public and private
buildings and the decorations gener.
ally along the thoroughfares, the in
augural committee was guided by
President Wilson'S desire to avoid
elaborate display.
white Reviewing Stand.
1t was with this idea in view thai
the principal feature of the Presi-
dents reviewing stand was designed
as a replica of the portico of Month
cello, the home of Thomas Jefferson,
regarded as a type of that simplicity
which the early President exempli-
fled. This replica of Monticello is
directly in front of the White House,
forming the left front of the broad
Court of Honor While preserving
the severe design of the original
structure, the replica suggests some
of the stately old mansions OF the
South, the row of colonial pillars
along the front resembling the por-
ticos of Mount Vernon and Airing
ton. as well as those of Monticello,
The Monticello replica forms the
main part of the reviewing stand,
and in this was erected the glass en-
closure, where, free from the possl-
bilities of Indictment weather. the
President could review the marching
thousands of the inaugural parade.
The decorations of the portico were
i'm keeping with no color other than
white along it's entire front and with
out the usual display of flags, sun
bursts and other elaborate designs
It's only dash of vivid color was in
small draped Presidents flag, barely
discernable above the chair occupied
by the President The white of the
reviewing stands was relieved only
nv few garlands of laurel and ever
green, while farther back the court of
honor was enclosed by high walls of
fresh green cedar trees brought from
the Virginia hills.
The court of honor extended from
the treasury building, at Fifteenth
street and Pennsylvania avenue TO
state, war and navy building, at
Seventeenth and Pennsylvania ave-
nues, a distance of little more than
1000 feet This stretch was prac-
tically enclosed with tall and graceful
cedar trees about thirty feet high,
making a complete circle of the en-
closure and forming the background
for the reviewing stands. At either
entrance to the court We're placed
two giant ccdars looming some fifty