The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-01-11
END ALLPLANS
FOR INAUGURAL
Chairman Mclean Complies at
Once With Request from
President Elect.
WILL BE NO PARADE
,Harding's Reason for Change is
to Avoid Appearance of
Extravaganza.
(By Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1O.-Abandon-
ment OF all plans for a celebration in
connection with the Inauguration of
President -elect Harding was an
nounced tonight by Il. b. Mclean,
chairman OF the Washington inaugu-
raj committee, i'm accordance with the
desire Of Mr. Harding.
Mr.. Mclean. upon receiving the re-
quest OF the president -elect for aban-
donment of the celebration plans, is
sued the following statement:
II realize, of course. how keen will
be the disappointment to the people
of Washington, but l have all along
known how President -elect Harding
felt with respect to the expenditures
OF large sums of money at this time.
Because OF Mr.. Harding's feeling,
j was always IN doubt about the in
augural program being carried out.
feel that Senator Harding's friends
and advisers, no matter how much
they regret the loss to Washington,
VIII be with him in this matter"
Announcement of the president
elects decision came only a few hours
after congress. through action of the
house. completed enactment OF a bill
appropriating $4,000 for expenses in
cldent 70 the inauguration. As the
measure has passed both houses of
congress- just what course congress
sional leaders win take in respect to
IL was In doubt tonight. In the usual
course of procedure the bill would go
to the white house tomorrow, but the
suggestion was made tonight that re-
publican leaders in either the senate
on house might move TO reconsider the
vote of their body and thereby with
draw the bill.
Disbanding of COMMITTEES appointed
by Chairman Mclean, membership on
which includes hundreds of persons
not only In Washington but else
where is expected TO begin immedi-
ately. Upwards OF 100000 had been
pledged by Washington citizens and
business men toward the expenses OF
the inaugural celebration.
MARION. Ohio, Jan. 1O.-In the in
terest OF national thrift. President
elect HARDING tonight requested Off
cials arranging for his Inauguration
to- abandon all plans for an inaugural
ceremony.
In telegram to 70, b. Mclean,
chairman of the inaugural committee
at Washington. Mr.. Harding declared
he preferred TO simply take the oath
OF office. deliver brief address and
then take up the duties OF his office.
lie said it would make his position a
very unhappy one IL the outlay for an
elaborate inaugural ceremony created
the Impression Of extravaganza.
AT the same time the president elect
tolegraphed Senator Knox of Penn
sylvania, in charge of the congression-
al end Of the plans, suggesting that
rhe proposal 10 erect stands on the
capitol grounds for the event be aban-
doned. This proposal has been the
subject OF heated debate in congress
Nith some members severely object
ing 10 use OF public funds for such
purpose.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10. - Five
members of the house. one from Pres
ident elect Harding's home state and
the others from the south, voted today
10 cut down the $4,000 appropriation
for erection of a grandstand at the
capitol from which congress, as in
years gone by, braves the bleak March
weather during the big outdoor inaug-
ural ceremonies.
Against this handful, 2S5 members
voted for the fund so that the long
established custom might still prevail.
The snow was clinging 10 the first
pile OF lumber, stacked in orderly ar
ray outside. when the debate in the
house started coincident with another
furry OF talk In the senate on pro-
posal 10 eliminate this year all expen-
slve and ostentatious inauzural show