Evening star., 1917-03-04
Neutrality-suspicious.
TO MARK INAUGURAL
Lack of Time Prevents Making
Parade Great Historical
Pageant.
WOMEN TO PARTICIPATE

Just as President Wilson during his
administration has broken many precA
edents. SO is the Inauguration thiS-
year marked by many Innovations.
Lack of time alone, after the appoint<
ment OF the inaugural chairman, preS
vented still further Innovations, sevS
eral of them of a spectacular naturas
The inaugural parade would have been
turned into great historical pageant
depicting the spirit, the developments
progress and united purpose OF the MAJ
| tion. but it was found impossible to
make the necessary elaborate preparaS
| tions in the few weeks remaining be~
fore the inaugural date. Civic leaders
are taking a strong interest in this pro-
posal, and have pledged that they will
| form an organization to advance this
great national panoramic interpreta-
| tfon of the paternal spirit OF the gov
ernment and the filial devotion of the
citizenship in plenty OF season for the
next Inauguration.
One of the big departures from prec-
edent in the conduct Of the second
inaugural Of Woodrow Wilson is the
| elimination Of two hours delay. which
| makes participation easier for thou
| sands of marchers, and the wait while
the parade is passing less irksome for
| those sitting in stands or standing
along the curbstones on the route OF
march.
On account of the Senate not being in
| session, the formality of the Presideft
going to the Capitol to sign last-hcur
bills is done away with. and that saves
| the first hour Of watchful waiting.
No Long Wait for Luncheon.
At the suggestion Of Chairman Robert
n. Harper. President Wilson heartily
sr,
| usual presidential luncheon in the
White House to members Of the Presi-
dents party after the ceremony Of TAX
ing the oath and the inaugural address
at the Capitol be dispensed with. AS
the parade has heretofore been halted
| while this luncheon was in progress.
| and the marchers and watching thronRs
| were out in whatever sort of inclement
| weather might prevail, this innovation
| is particularly welcome one.
| With two women appointed to the in
augural committee for the first time in
take part in the parade for the first
time, the inaugural procession presents
a marked variation from the usual mil
itary and club organization.
The parade this time is also distinc-
tive in the increased attendance of
| cadets from military schools. who con-
tribute a preparedness" feature and
demonstrate the widespread training of
| the young HdHHOOQ OIL tne country 10
serve the nation in time of need.
This will be the second time that the
wife Of President has ridden by his
side in the inaugural parade, the first
the first time that the wife of the Vice
President has ever ridden in the in
augural parade.
1t will also be one of the rare oc-
| casions on which the wife of the Pres
ident has sat with him in the glass
| inclosure of the reviewing stand.
German Empire Unrepresented.
| The grand marshal of the parade will
also stand with the President while re-
viewing the parade. The grand mar
shall has previously ridden back along
the line of march.
The Inauguration is different from
any witnessed for more than one hun
dred years in that no accredited am
bassador or minister from the German
government will witness the inaugura-
! ton of an American President. Repre-
sentatives OF every country but the
German empire will be on hand.
The most recent parallel to this SIT
uation was the coronation OF the new
Emperor of Austria. at which no rep
resentatives of the allies were present.
Care has also been taken that the re-
ception committee will not be embar
rased by any accidents from seating
diplomats whose countries are at war
too close to each other in the court OF
honor stand.
Court of Honor Prize Work.
A new feature in the erection of the
court of honor, which includes the presi-
dental reviewing stand. with the obser-
walton stand opposite for members of the
diplomatic corps the inaugural commit
tee, members OF Congress and other
prominent guests. is that 1t represents the
prize work in a competition in which
more than a score of architects were
rivals.
The decoration of Pennsylvania avenue
presents another novelty in the three
minor courts OF honor, which provide a
decorative column for each OF the forty
eight states in the Union. This is one OF
the distincly picturesque features, ap-
peaIing to every inaugural visitor.
Heretofore thousands of dollars have
been expended on large medallion inau-
gural medals in bronze, silver and gold.
which have been presented as souvenirs
inaugural committee this year OF its own
initiative voted to do away with this
heavy drain on finances and, instead.
neat parchment certificates have been
struck of for the members Of the COM
mittee.
The giving up of the medals il but one
Of many acts of economy practiced by the
inaugural committee, in pursuance OF a
policy OF strict economy. in all respects
that would not detract from the enjoy
ment of the inaugural guests.
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