Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-01-11
HARDING CALLS OFF
Continued from pase /


viscd tho Senator Of his request to the
local committee, Mr. Harding requested
that Congress not participate and the
committee not expcnd any funds what
ever in connection with the Inauguration.
Marion. Ohio, Jan. lI.--lf President
elect Harding has his wny the inaugural
ton Of March next will be AZ devoid OF
frills IA frontier wedding. Having over
turned plans for revival Of the inaugural
ball and a spectacular inaugural parade,
he Indicated today that, 40 far rs he CON
sistently could he would keep away
from whatever crowds assembled IN
Washington for tho event and make the
change of ADMINISTRATIONS just matter oil
taking the executive offices under new
management.
The President-elect preference was
made known IN telegrams sent last night
to inaugural officials in Washington, ask
INC tbat in the interest of public thrift, the
hall. the parade and every other show OF
ponp and festivity be omitted. Instead
Of taking the oath from speoally-built
platform on the capitol steps he suggested
that IT be administered quickly within
the capito itaelf and then that he be lett
f,ee In On to work without more ado
The timc-honored custom of delivering
nm ,r,uuurs, address, which has been
observed since tho formation OF the ~
n,bbc is To b. retained az q part of the
DAVIS ceremonies, but IL ia considered
likely there hiatt il will be very brief and
couohed in general terms.
Bv his action the President-eiect ended
a bitter row in Congress, where severa
influential Republicans had protested
vigorously against the plans ct the IN
augural committee.
Not only did Mr. Harding request that
the $4,000 appropriation for arandstahd
soata On the dapitol grounds be dropped.
but he asked that not cent OF money he
spent ON his induction into office. How
for the inaugural officials and public will
let Mr.. Harding have his way remains
10 be seen.
William Hale Thompson, mayor of
Chicago. and the center of bitter con-
troversy within Republican ranks during
the last campaign, was among PRESIDENT
elect Hardings callers today. Details Of
the conference were not revealed, officials
Al Harding headquarters saying merely
that the MAYOR had been called into con
sultation on a number Of suhjects
Others with whom th Pesident-elect
had engagements during the day included
Or Jacob Gould Schurinann. former pres
ident Of Cornell University, who was in
vited here 10 1--WE his opinion on the aa-
ISOLATION Of nations plan, and v. G, Fen
field. the New York manufactures, who
came so discuss financial conditions
Teleqraphina 70 Senator Knox, Mr.
Harding expressed h~ opinions as fol-
bvs
'S~nstor 2. c. Knox. chairman, com
mittee, Washington. -. C.. l have been
reluctant 20 intrude my views relating tn
inaugural plans, but ! cennot longer re
main silent without embarrassment and
misunderstanding which had rather
avoid: please convey 10 your committee
INV sincere wish for the s,rnpless inaugural
program consistent with the actual re-
uuirpments in taking the oath Of office
and the utteranee Of befitting address
very respectfully request that Congress
| will not Appropriate and your committee
will not espend any fund whatever
Ell am familiar with the custom of
erecting q platform and providing seats
for r1rests who witness the CEREMONY at
the canitol. but it will be most pleasing 10
me TO have this ceremony take place
Within the capitol or on the cast porch IN
ita stately simplicity without a single
extra preparation tor the occasion. thus
will require no expense and we shall he
Joint participants in An example of econ
onv as well as simplicity which may be
helpful in the proce~s Of seeking our nor
| NAL once more
IL have addressed a message If hike
import 10 the inaugural committee ask
| ing the abandonment Of the parade and
| bali and hope for an acceptance of the
intruded suggestion IN the spirit which has
| inspired it Warren c. Harding"
His message TO the chairman OF the
| inaugural committee emphasized his be-
lief that good example toward economy
| should he shown He wired
~ beg respectfully TO suggest to your
/ committee the complete abandonment of
all plans for an inaugural celebration
| Heretofore ! have been very reluctant to
| express nv personal views to your com
mittee, because ! knew of the cherished
regard in our national capitol for this
| quadrennial event and the generosity of
! the citizens Of the district in making pro-
vision for it.
You were good enough to accept the
| craftsmanship at my request and your as
| socIates have won my lasting gratitude for
/ the time and labor YOU have gwen to
| preparation However if II rs becoming 20
| express my preference, 1wish YOU and your
committee 10 know that the impression
| Of extravagant expenditure and exces-
| sive cost would make me very unhappy
| participant.
/ II know full well that the govern
| ment outlay is relatively small and that
| the larger expenditure comes from the
! generous contributions of district citizen
ship, but it is timely and wholesome to
/ practice the utter denial of public ex-
/ penditure where there is no real necessity,
/ and it viii mean thrift if we save the
many. many thousands which the in
augliral celebration will call from the
| private purse of those attending
u have sent a message of like import
/ to the congressional committee and ex-
pressed the wish that no preparations or
/ outlay Of any kind be made. 1t will be
most pleasing to me TO be simply sworn
In, speak briefly my plight of faith TO the
| country and turn at once to the WORT
which will be calling.
Again expressing my gratitude TO you
and your associates and TO the generous
people Of Washington, am. very re-
spectfully, Warren G. Harding
EP FINCH PREMIER GETS