The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-12-16

u
beautiful fireworks display on the
Monument Grounds the evening of
March ever seen in Washington.
SMITH CLOSE FRIEND.
Jesse Smith. the secretary of the
committee. Is q personal friend of
Senator Harding. and was active In
his behalf In the pre-convention
campaign. during the campaign and
had charge OF all the trips the Sem
ator made during the campaign and
after the election. He WIS former
grand exalted ruler of the Elks Of
the State of Ohio, and a wealthy
property owner OF the State. L&
v>-s appointed on the committee by
VIII Hays. IL IL understood at the
suggestion OF Senator Harding, and
Is the Preside nt-ele personal
representative on the committee.
This will mean that the committee
can go ahead with any plans II
wishes. because, Mr., Smith. being on
the committee, can readily speak
for the President-elect. In former
years II wa salways necessary TO
hold many plans until they had been
the event was planned.
| Members of the committee said to-
day that IL the weather on March 4
was good. that there could not posi-
bly, be q deficit this year, as the BAH
Is expected to furnish a big sum to-
ward the expenses.
The usual number Of stands will be
erected this year. and. as usual.
Pennsylvania avenue. between FIJI
teenth and Seventeenth streets north
west. will be fitted up as court Of
honor.
ANOTHER HOUSING PROBLEM.
The matter that Is giving the com.
mittee more concern than anything
else Is the accommodations that can
be obtained for visitors to Washing
ton for the inauguration. 1t Is plan
ned to have an especially active and
strong committee in charge OF this
detail. One Of the plans discussed Is
to have visiting clubs and delega-
tons make arrangements with the
railroad to provide that their
sleeping-cars be available for use
while the clubs are IN Washington.
It is said that this would lift heavy
burden of the shoulders OF the hotels
and boarding houses here
Most of the hotels are booked for
the Inauguration
1t is planned to obtain from the
Government some Of the Government
buildings which are not used Tor
sleeping places for visiting d"lega-
lions. such as State troops and march
ling clubs
Among the committees which will
be appointed during the next few
days will be music. reception, legis-
lation, press. printing. fireworks.
transportation, public comfort, public
order, civic organizations, review
stands, street decorations. historic
sites, illumination. medical, court OF
honor, railroad terminal, hotel accom-
modations medals, badges. souvenirs.
local transportation, Boy Scouts, au-
diting and rules.
The first work of the Inauguration
ceremonies was commenced yester-
day when the Joint Congressional
Committee in charge Of the ingura-
ton Of President-elect Harding au-
thorized the building Of the stand
on the Capitol Plaza. where the
| President will take the oath, and
authorized the printing Of engraved
Invitations to attend the ceremonies.
The committee Is headed by Senator
Knox. of Pennsylvania, and former
Speaker Cannon, OF Illinois.
The committee learned that it
would have to pay between so and
100 per cent more to inaugurate
President Harding than it cost to
inaugurate President Wilson on ac-
count of the increased cost of build
ing materials and higher wages.