The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1921-01-13
HARDING PLEADS
FOR SIMPLICITY
PLAN FOR ELABORATE INAUG-
URAL CEREMONIES VETOED
BY PRESIDENT-ELECT
OPPOSED To EXTRAVAGANCE.
ALL IDEAS FOR SHOW OF POMP
AND GLITTER ARE ADAM
DONED BY COMMITTEE .t

Washington, Jan. 10-Plans for
extensive inaugural ceremonies in
Washington, March 4, were aban-
doned tonight when President-elect
Harding settled the quarrel between
the District and Congress in favor
of economy. 'T
Edward B. Mclean chairman of
the inaugural committee, received
word over the long distance tele-
phone from Mr.. Harding hours after
the senate storm subsidized to give up
all plans for the inaugural celebra-
ton. Mr.. Mclean after conversing
| with Senator Harding, said that the
wishes of the President-elect would
be final and there would be no cele-
bration in so far as he had anything
to do with it.
This means there will be no in
augural ball and probably not even
the elaborate parade that was in the
making.
81 have just talked with Senator
Harding over long distance" said
Mr.. Mclean, when asked if he had
received a message from Marion ask
| ing that the inaugural celebration
be abandoned.
"The wishes of Senator Harding
will be absolutely final in the matter
so far as I'm concerned.
II can say, furthermore, that
Senator Harding personally never
wanted to have the celebration. He
opposed it on the ground of economy.
He never liked the idea of lavish
display and expenditure of money
and he felt that under the conditions
which exist it was not best to have
the celebration.
"He was told by some of his
friends that it was the custom and
he ought to yield to it. And while
he did so at the outset the action ne
has taken now is absolutely in &C
cord with his own wishes from the
beginning"
Mr.. Mclean said meeting of the
inaugural committee will be held to-
morrow. 1t is assumed that at that
meeting it will be decided to close up
preparations for the parade and ball
which have been under way for some
days. =.
In view of the decision of Senator
Harding the ceremonies Will it is
believed, be confined to the simple
ceremonies in the Senate and the de-
livery of the inaugural address at
the Capitol.
Prospects are that Senator Hard
! ing. will be inaugurated with the most
extreme simplicity, simplicity RI
valing that shown in the inaugural
of the third President, Thomas JEFF
ferson.
Senator Knox, who is chairman of
the joint committee of Congress IN
charge of the I. inaugural ceremonies
| at the Capitol. said he had not re-
ceived message from Senator Hard
ing asking that the inaugural cere-
monies be abandoned Senator Knox
pointed out, however, that the con-
gressional end of the preparations
was entirely distinct from the pre-
parations for a civic celebration in
charge of the inaugural committee
of which Mr.. Mclean is chairman.
Senator Knox said the inaugural
committee of which he was chairman
was responsible to Congress alone
and was directed by Congress to
| make certain plans for the ceremon-
| les in the Senate and at the east
front of the Capitol.
Whatever Congress directs as 70
these plans the committee will do.
Already resolution to appropriate
$50, 900 has passed both houses This.
sum merely with provide for extra
police protection for the Capitol and
the building of stand and seats M
front of the Capitol. Congress, II It
deems proper can rescind or recon
slider it's action