Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-11
SIMPLE ONE
CONTINUED from Pare One)

and then take up the duties OF his of.
flee. He said it makes his position
a very unhappy one if the outlay for
an elaborate inaugural created ths
impression Of extravaganza.
At the same time the president.
eject telegrahped Senator Knox Of
Pennsylvania. in charge of the Con.
gressional end of the plans. suggest
ing that the proposal to erect stands
on the capitol grounds for the event
be abandoned. This proposal has
been the subject of heated debate in
Congress, with some members severe
~ objecting to use of public funds for
such a purpose.
Mr.. Harding's telegram To Mr.. Ne
Lean follows:
Il beg respectfully to sugges. ia
your committee the complete abau-
donment of all plans for an inaugural
celebration.
Heretofore l have been very re-
luctant to express m. personal views
TO your committee, because l knew OF
the cherished regard in our national
capitol for this quadrenniaI event
and the generosity of the citizens of
the district in making provisions for
it. You were good enough to ACCEPT
the Craftsmanship at my request and
you and your associates have won
my lasting gratitude, for the time and
labor you have given in preparation.
However,. if it is becoming TO ex-
press my preference. l wish you and
your committee to know that the i'm
preston of extravagant expenditure
and excessive cost would make me
very unhappy participant. l know
full well that the government outlay
is relatively small and that the larger
expenditure comes from the generous
contributions from District citizen
ship, but it is timely and wholesome
to practice the utter denial of public
expenditure where there is no real
necessity and it will be a wholesome
example OF economy and thrift if We
save the many. many thousands
which the inaugural celebration
would call from the private purse Of
those attending.
4 have sent a message of like pur-
port to the congressional committee
and expressed the wish that no pre-
parations or outlay of any kind be
made. 1t will be most pleasing to mt
to be simply sworn in, speak briefly
my plight of faith to the country and
turn at once to the work which vii!
be calling.
Again expressing my gratitude to
you and your assistants and to the
generous people of Washington, am
Very respectfully.
WARREN G. HARDING"
The following message was sent to
Senator Knox:
Il have been reluctant to intrude
my views relating to inaugural plans
but l can not longer remain silent
without embarrassment and misun-
Outstanding which l had rather avoid
Please convey to your committee my
sincere wishes for the simplest in
augural program consistent with the
actual requirements in taking the
oath of office and the utterance of be-
fitting address. / very respectfully
request that Congress will not appro-
pirate and your committee will not
expend any fund whatever.
Il am familiar with the custom Of
erecting a platform for and providing
seats for guests who witness the
ceremony at the capitol, but il will be-
most pleasing to me to have this
ceremony take place within the CAPT
toi or on the East porch with its
stately simplicity without q single
extra preparation for the occasion.
RMS VIII require no expense and we
snail be joint participants in an en-
ample or economy as we'll as simpl.
city which may be helpful in the pro.
cess OF seeking our normal ways
once more.
4 nave addressed a message of like
import to the Inaugural committee
asking the abandonment of the
parade and bal land hope for an ac.
ceptance of the intruded suggestion
IN the spirit which has inspired it."
Mr.. Harding made his decision aft
er conferences with several OF his
party leaders, to whom he expressed
vigorously his aversion to any show
OF extravaganza. The need for ma
tional economy is one of which he
mas spoken many times purely. and
the critics mincing over proposed ap-
preparations for the inauguration
nave made a deep impression on his
mind.