Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-01-11
HARDING ASKS
NO FRI[LS AT
INAUGURATION
Wants Simple Service When
He is. Placed in New
Position.
Urges Committee Not to
Spend Zone Cent For
Celebration.

Marion, Ohio. Jan. 11.-If Presi-
dcnt-elect Harding has his way, the
Inauguration Of March 4, next, will
be as devoid Of frills as frontier
wedding. Having overturned plans
for revival Of the inaugural bali and
a spectacular inaugural parade, he
indicated today that so far as he con.
sistently could he would keep away
from whatever crowds assembled in
Washington for the event and mako
the change of administrations Just a
matter OF taking the executive offices
under new management.
The president-elect's preference
was made known in kilograms he sent
last night to inaugural officials in
Washington. asking that in theainter-
est OF public thrift, the ball, the pa
rade and every other show of pomp
and 'festivity, be on:itted. Instead Of
taxing the oath from specially built
platform, on the capitol steps, he sug-
gested that it be Administered quick
~ within the capitol itself, and then
that he be left free to go to work
| without more ado.
Simple Services.
| The time honored custom of deliy-
ering an inaugural address. whici, has
been observed since the formation of
the republic is to be retained as a
T, Part of the days ceremonies, but it is
considered likely here that it will be
very brief and couched in general
! terms.
! By this action, the president elect
ended bitter row in congress, where
several influential Republicans had
protested vigorously against the plans
OF the inaugural committee to make
the occasion one of the biggest quad
rlennal celebrations the capitol had
ever seen.
| Not only did Mr.. Harding request
that the $4,000 appropriation for the
grand stand seats on the capitol
grounds be dropped. but he asked
that mot cent of money be spent on
his induction into olNce. How far the
inaugural officials and public will let
Mr.. Harding have his way remains to
| De seen. Unless it can be financed
and managed in an unusual manner,
IT is considered certain here that the
inaugural ball which went out of the
program when Woodrow Wilson frs,
! took office. will not come back this
year: TO prevent a street parade in
honor. of the new president may be
more difficult. Thousands already
have made their plans ito see Nj,
Harding ride down Pennsylvania
members of many Republican clubs
the country over who feel, they Gan.
not miss the opportunity. to march
I irons the capitol to the White House
when their party comes once more
into power.
! a Problem for OflcIals.
e This, however, is problem which,
the inaugural officials in Washington
will have'to cope with. Mr.. Harding
will keep in touch with the plans but
it is expected that he will permit
!! them a considerable leeway in deci-
slons which do not directly concern
him personally.
! i. - William Hale Thompson. mayor of
4Ghicago and the center of a bitter
controversy within Republican ranks
J; during the last campaign. was among
/, ,Preside dent-elect Harding's callers to-
,tday. "Details of the conference were
mot revealed, officials at Harding
headquarters saying merely that the
mayor had been called into consulta-
ton on a number of subjects.
Others with whom the president
elect had engagements during the
day included DR.. Jacob Could
Schurn,ann. former president of Cor
nell university, who was invited here
to give his opinion on the association
of nations plan and r. G. Penfield the