Evening star., 1917-03-06
Congress Could Pass Law.

'.'anuary and the opening OF the new
CongregS.
Congress Could Pass Law.
Then Congress could pass law pro-
viding for the public inauguration OF
the President in April or May. of
course, such law could be passed even
now and would be benefit, since the
weather conditions would be vastly
better than they were yesterday, ror
instance.
Some senators. however, were not
particularly interested today in pro-
posal to change the date of the cere-
monies.
Yesterday was not such bad DAY
ms IL might have been said Senator
Chamberlain of Oregon. ana -FOUR
years ago the day was fine IT Is true
back that made everybody uncomfort-
able. but we might have bad day
whatever time OF year We set the oate.
Col Harper pointed out today that
rot only the parade, but enjoyment OF
the fireworks in the evening was
msrred by the cold.
We had the finest exhibition OF fire.
works ever shown here" the chairman
stated. Bat it was too cold for the
crowds to stand outsice and watch
them with comfort. II was extremely
difficult and comfortable for the peo-
pie to take part IN the parade on ac-
court OF the wind and cold The
weather OF the previous day interfered
with preparations and with thousands
VINO otherwise might havo come here.
Had II not been that an inclosed glass
stand was provided for the President
he and those with him would have
been in danger of Illness from the cold
Cabinet members and other high Off
cials of the government complained OF
the cold and had to step occasionally
inside the inclosure to get warm
Opinions on Subject.
Charles 7 Bell. chairman of the in
augural committee for the first inau-
guration of President Mckinley. said:
Il always have been in favor of
changing the Inauguration date. I will
support heartily any movement to do
that. 1t so happened that for the first
inauguration of President Mckinley we
had pleasant day. but the memory of
President Taft's inauguration remains
with us"
William Corcoran Eustis, chairman
Of the Inauguration committee four
years ago. also pointed out that March
4 this year provided disagreeable in
auguration weather, and that March
was bad enough.
The date fails a a time of the year
when we are most apt to have fare
backs and all forms of bad weather.
Four years ago we were lucky in the
day, but remember that the days before
and the day after were cold,' Mr.. Eus-
-tis said
P. T. Moran. former president of the
Chamber of Commerce, said: Il find
language inadequate to express my
feelings on this subject" and he urged
that Congress had a duty toward those
people who sit in discomfort for hours
Il
ism and appreciation for the spectacle
afforded them"
r. P. Andrews, president of the Re-
tail Merchants Association. pointed out
that bad inaugural days have been the
cause OF the deaths of prominent men
and added: There is every reason why
the date should be changed. and no rea-
son l can think of why it should not
Representative Henry's Views.
Representative Henry of Texas.
chairman of the rules committee of the
House. who eight years ago introduced
a resolution providing for a change of
date which came within one vote of the
necessary two-thirds for passage, said:
Yesterdays weather must again inn
press Congress that change in the
inauguration is necessary, and that the
reasons for the change are national,
FOR some reason 1 cannot conceive
members of Congress have the idea that
the change is desirable solely from the
standpoint of Washington business
men, do not believe that The in
auguratlon is national affair, and it
should be, at a time when persons from
all oves the country could come 70
washington and see it with comfort
70 enecf the change there must be
a national sentiment for it, approved by
the President, his cabinet, the Speaker
Of ho,
of Congress-"
Movement Begun in 1901.
The organized movement to Obtain
change of Inauguration day dates back
to 1901. when the national committees
on the change Of Inauguration day
oegan It's work. This committee is
national in scope. 1t is made nm of
members of inauguration committees
including all the surviving chairmen
and governors of states
chairman Harper will attend the
meeting Thursday. when he will be adj
aeu TO the committee. Mr.. MacfarIand
oeheves the character of the weather
at this inauguration has furnished a
day. VI .ie
me Senate has three times passed
tne resolution advocated by the ma
tional committee changing the dav 10
the last week in April and the House
came near passing 1t upon one occasion.
Ise atfncu!ty is. Chairman Macfa ria nd
states, that the change REQUIRES a ,two.
thirds vote of both houses and althoueh
tne dangerous weather of former in
auguration days. and especially that of
the second Mckinley Inauguration and
or the Taft inauguration, procured ac-
tion by the Senate. il did not overcome
the inertia which makes so diffi6ult
any amendment to the Constitution.
Toll of Death Cited.
The death of Senator Platt of Con-
necticut and Senator Bate of Tennessee
the Mexican ambassador. Mr.. Aspiroz
and Judge Weldon of the Court of
claims as result of exposure at the
inauguration of 1901, brousnt about tha
creation of the national committee
Mr.. Macfarland says the change +o
the last week in April would insure
Pheasant Wether. or at least weather
that is not dangerous. The last Thurs
day of April has been suggested as the
date because that was the day on which
George Washington was inaugurated
the first time and also because II Is de-
sired to have a day of the week in
stead of the month, avoiding Sunday
complications.
New members will be added to the
committee, Mr.. Mcfarland said TO-DAY
and new effort made to obtain the
change.
u. S. AND AUSTRIA