The Washington times., 1921-01-12
MAR. 4FETE IS .
UP PTOPEOPLE
Inaugural Committee Awaiting
Popular Voice on Scope
of Festivities.

Washington can have some sort ol
festivities, which will not be objec-
tionable to President-elect Harding
when he takes Office on March 4
This is the opinion Of many promi-
nent citizens OF the Capital, who to-
day we're considering a welcome for
the man who will preside as the head
OF the nation for the next four years
COMMITTEE INTACT.
The Inaugural committee. Edward
3. Mclean chairman. will remain in
tact for the present, at least, to be of
assistance in any festivity In which
the President-elect may decide to par
ticipate. One member of the execu-
tive committee today said there was
nothing to do but await the reaction
OF the people OF the country.
at Is up to the public now" he
said. "They will signify just what
they think Of the way in which the
be inducted into office. and am sure
the President-elect and the members
of Congress will heed their voices.
There is nothing the Inaugural com
mittee can do at this time except to
await Developments"
Some persons had the idea II was
proposed to have monster celebra
tion in Washington on March 4 wheth
er the incoming President agreed to
II or not. This, II was explained, Is
far from the facts. The persons in
terested in welcoming the victor al
the November polls, have no desire
to do anything that would offend the
President-elect, it was stated. They
merely want some method OF showing
their admiration for the Republican
standard bearer and give every en-
couragement to his Administration.
LOOK TO MCLEAN.
Most persons were inclined to wait
for a few days to see what the
inaugural committee would do. They
reasoned Chairman Mclean and his
associates were in possession OF facts
which the general public did not
know and. therefore, things should
be allowed to remain at a standstill
for a few days to await some action
from Mr.. Mclean or his committee.
1t was the general opinion through
out the city. however, that some sort
of festivities should be held here
during the Inaugural ceremonies, SO
the people could blow of steam,
even though it did not reach the
height OF former inaugural celebra-
tions.
Although the members Of the I'm.
augural committee would not admit
they had any plan for reyiving the
features which they had planned
there was an undercurrent of talk
among them that something would
be done within the next few days to
bring about some festivities.
WILL USE SENATE OR HOUSE.
The plan to hold the inaugural
ceremonies in the Senate or House
chambers was reached last night after
a series of meetings and conferences
which lasted throughout the day. The
executive committee met with Ed
ward b. Mclean late yesterday and
discussed the situation caused by
Presdent-e Harding's telegram
asking the abandonment of all elab-
crate inaugural ceremonies. AFTER
the meeting, chairman Mclean said
no formal action had been taken on
Mr.. Hsrding's request, but the COM
mittee would fall in line with his
plan.
The Joint Congressional Committee
on Inauguration met yesterday after
noon at the Capitol and decided TO
cancel the contracts for the erection
OF the stand on the Capitol plaza. IL
Is estimated that the fund of S50,ooo
appropriated for the expense will not
be used, but about $4,000 will be
spent in adjusting the contracts
which have been let and meeting the
expense the committee already has
incurred. Some OF the lumber for the
stands has been delivered at the
Capitol, and men started to work on
II yesterday, but Elliott Woods, SUI
perintendent Of the Capitol stopped
them.
II the Senate chamber is used for
the Inauguration, the galleries can be
made to hold maximum OF 1000
persons. II the House Is used, IL Is
estimated about 1900 can be seated
in the galleries.
WORRIES NOW ON CONGRESS.
The decision to hold the ceremonies
in the Capitol caused much amuse-
ment in Washington last night, as II
means the members OF Congress will
have to carry the worry OF the affaiir,
instead OF the citizens of Washington
This will be especially true when the
flood OF requests for seats in the
chamber where the ceremonies are TO
be held begins to come In on the
Congressman. II was said today that
n few members already had been ap-
preached by constituents and friends
for seats.
II was recalled today that Presi
dent TAFT was inauguratcd In the Sen
ate chamber on account OF the severe
storm that ragged In Washington sew
eral hours before the ceremonies