The Washington times., 1921-01-11
FETE ON
MAR. 4 URGED
Citizens of Capital Eager to
Turn Celebration Over to
New Committee.
MANY MAKE SUGGESTIONS
Parade of Civic Bodies and Car
nivaI of States Among
Features Proposed.

Notwithstanding President-eleet
Hardng's disinclination to have his
inauguration characterized by elab-
crate ostentation, the weight Of the
opinion Of Washington's foremost
civic leaders today is that ceremonies
befitting the occasion should be
staged in the National Capital on
March A.
Not since the armistice news has
Washington been so stirred up over
anything as it was today over the
| calling off of the inaugural cere-
! monies at the instance OF President
elect Harding.
The first thing that suggested IT.
self to everybody was, why not
have a celebration Of our own? All
seemed to have some idea Of a cele-
bration. Several suggested getting
up another committee composed en-
tirely of citizens of the Capital, and
run the inaugural celebration as
purely local affair.
ALL WANT CELEBRATION.
Prominent men and women in all
, sections of the city, in all profess
sions. trades and callings, and in
various social circles agree that
President-elect Harding's induction
into office should be made the oc-
casion for a national celebration and
jubilee.
1t was pointed out by conspicuous
civic leaders that the Jeffersonian
simplicity Of which Mr.. Harding
speaks would mean a nationwide
disappointment, in addition to de-
| ri1,iv lo A~la - yo nj D,f1 Nc
the pleasure and benefits of this
quadrennial celebration.
Many men and women today cited
the practical phase of the situation
as one of the best arguments in IA
vor of a demonstration commensurate
with the momentousness of the occa-
sion. These men and women insist
that irrespective of Mr.. HardinG's
personal wishes, the people OF the
National Capital have the privilege OF
staging a pageant and demonstration
| in his honor, as it has been the GUS
tom to do for more than a century.
HORDEs COMING ANYHOW.
Besides this, it was pointed out
| there are tens of thousands Of men
and women. and whole families. who
| have made it a practice to flock to
! corners of the nation for the dual
purpose of paying a pilgrimage to the
capital of their country and to ac-
claim their newly chosen Chief Ex-
| ecutive.
| These tens of thousands of visitors
| will be here on March 4, and 1t Is the
| opinion OF thoughtful men and women
that they should be allowed to par
ticipate in a celebration, as they have
always done.
Several prominent men interviewed
| by representatives of The Washing
ton Times today said the funds dis
| bursed incident to the celebration
would be we'll spent, as the construc-
tion of stands and other preparations
necessary to make the city ready for
| the affair would provide employment
| for men now out of work.
The present inaugural committee
could handle the details of the cele-
bration, it was said, IL they found
that 1t was not embarrassing to them.
Chairman Mclean was praised for the
efficiency with which he has handled
the work so far, It was said, and II
would be fitting IL he could with dig
nifty take over the Home Town Cele-
bration."
HISTORICAL PARADE.
1t was planned to have instead or
the time -honored parade with the
West Point and Annapolis cadets as
the principal attractions, parade
which would be a historical depic-
tion OF the inaugurations OF other
days. Several of the dramatic socie-
ties It was explained, could get up
floats or spectacles illustrating the
famous rides up and down the ave-
nue. Of former Presidents from the be-
ginning of the Republic. This would
take the place OF the day parade.
For the evening plans are in for
nation for series of dances, one at
the Capitol plaza, another ut the
Treasury plaza, and carnival dances
in the big halls of the city.
1t was also suggested that the
celebration take the form of "old
home week." prosperity week" RE
publican Jubilee week." ohio well
come week" The District commits
sioners IT was said. would help out
in any celebration that would show
the hospitality OF the Nations Capt.
tai. and the school children of the
city would make pretty pageant or
could form part of tho parade on
March 4.
one of the plans that seemed to -
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