Evening star., 1917-01-02
PAGEANT PLAN FOR
MARCH 5FAV0RED
Special Committee Understood
to Have Practically Decided
on Historical Features.
HARPER TO SEE SCOTT

The development, wealth, resources
and particularly the spirit and institu-
tions of the United States are to be
inaugural parade March s. In this
monster historic pageant the sntirs In.
augural procedure will be revolutionized.
= Instead of the customary military
and club organizations for the inaugu-
raj parade the growth and develop
ment of the nation will be visualized.
This will be done. too, without sacri-
flcing the military features, and the
preparedness of the nation will be
shown in a large representation from
the hundreds of military schools
litia.
This big, historical. instructive and
picturesque reorganization of the parade
is not yet officially announced, but it is
understood on good authority that it is
practically decided within the special
committee that has been working on the
proposition. and that definite and Official
announcement may be expected the first
of next week
Hope to Overcome Objections.
There are two outstanding objections
to the proposed pageant. but 1t is be-
lieved that both of these can be over
come. The first is a firm stand on the
part of Inaugural Chairman Robert N.
Harper and the advisory council that
such a pageant must be made self-sup-
porting. Mr.. Harper said today that
there will positively be no historical
to the inaugural organization. The sec
ond objection is that the organizers can
not feel assured of pleasant weather on
inaugural day, and inclement weather
would handicap seriously many features
of a pageant.
The special committee appointed by
the advisory council to consider the
advisability and practicability of the
pageant was called into special session
advisory council. Following this meet
ing Chairman Harper announced that
the work of the committee had been
continued. 1t is known that Commits
sionar Louis Brownlow. who Is chair
man of this committee. has been seek
ing expert advice and is in touch with
several of the country's most success
full pageant directors.
A special meeting also was called of
the committee, OF which Mr.. Harper
si,iering suggestions for some sort of
social function to take the place of the
time-honored inaugural ball.
All committee chairmen are busy to-
day preparing their first reports for
the first meeting of the general inau-
yural committee tomorrow morning at
II o'clock in the red room of the Will
lard Hotel. The general committee
numbers 1S9 men and two women.
Chairman Harper announced today that
l.
pleted with the exception of the public
order committee and the official draft
of the inaugural officers was inscribed
in the records.
Military Plans to Be Decided.
War Department this afternoon at 3
o'clock Chairman Harper is to have a
conference with Maj. Gen. Hugh L.
Scott. chief of staff. who is grand
marshal of the inaugural parade. and
with Mai. Gen. T. H. Bliss. his chief
aid and Brig. Gen. Carol A. Devol. re-
tired who Is adjutant Of the parade.
At this meeting 1t Is to be definitely de-
ctded whether the military committee
will take charge of all the military
s.ntrres VII of the parade, or whether the
no rticination of the states militia and
the various military schools will be
taken charge of by the civic section
oam,rnittee and the general inaugural
ornnnization. The purpose is to over
cotne any duplication Of work in cor
respondence with the, various gov
ernorS.
Announcement of Committees.
IT,. complete list of the committees
organized by Frederick d. Owen. In
charge Of street, building and home
decorations. for the inaugural celebra-
ton. with headquarters at 1913 Penn
sylyania avenue northwest. was an
nounced today as follows: Frederick
ID. owen. chairman: George e. Emmons.
jr.; William v. Cox. Capt. George NJ.