The Washington times., 1921-01-04
|MARCH 4 PLAN COURT TFORB|DS.
CALLED CRIME MEAT COMBINE.
Senator Borah Flags Proposed
Expenditure Of $1,000,000
on Inaugural Celebration.

A scorching attack upon the plan
for the Inauguration Of Senator
Harding was made in the Senate to-
day by Senator Borah.
81 look upon the matter as almost
a crime" declared Borah, as he pre-
dicted that the present plan would
call for an expenditure of not less
than one million dollars.
CHARGES TURN ABOUT.
Senator Harding originally said
that he was in favor OF a simple and
unostentatious Inauguration" said
Borah. Now he is reported in dis
Patches from Marion as favoring the
most dazzling display that has been
seen in Washington for generation.
want TO know what influence has
prevailed upon him to change his
plans
1T Is terrible thing that an Ad-
ministration which will make econ
.omy ard retrenchment its watchword
should be ushered into office with such
lavish expenditures"
Senator Borah declared that the ex-
penses of the Inauguration in the
Capitol building were fixed at $50 900;
that the extra police protection need
ed by the city would cost approx
mately 100000; that the bringing OF
the West Point cadets TO Washing
ton would cost S3T 900. and the Md
dies $25, 900; that the use of the PEN
sion building for the Inaugural BGll
would cost the Government in round
numbers 5000, 900; that at least ten
State miltias will be brought to
Washington At an expense of 100000
each to the States involved.
At this juncture Senator Nelson OF
Minnesota Broke in with a resolution
prohibiting the District Commits
sioners from 'incumbering or permit
ting the encumbering with stands.
platforms. seats, benches or obstruc-
tions of any kind the parks, reserva-
tions. streets avenues and sidewalks
in the District of Columbia
CHARGES PROFITEERING.
Senator Nelson declared he was de-
termined to put a stop 10 the kind
of profiteering and specializing thac
has gone on in past inaugurations and
that the District citizens had no right
TO use the public streets for private
purposes.
Senator Thomas OF Colorado face
tiously suggested that a lcvying of
So a head should be placed upon the
army OF job hunters that will come
Administration.
That levy will more than pay the
expenses of the inaugural" said Mr..
Thomas.
Senator Borah suggested that the
levy ought to be made upon the de-
parted Democratic jobholders, be-
cause they were better able to pay
IL.
KNON DEFENDS PLAN.
Senator Knox. in defending his reso-
luton appropriating 100000 for the
construction of stands for the inaugu-
raj ceremony at the Capitol. said that
the same work had cost $4,000 four
years ago, and that the extra amount
about covers the increase in building
costs.
Reference also was made to the
100000 fund being collected by the
District citizens.
II understand that they will get all
this money back by perfectly proper
methods, but nevertheless in busi-
ncss-likc way" declared Senator
Borah, amid a general laugh.
AMENDMENT BY NORRIS.
Senator Norris of Nebraska pre-
sented an amendment to the original
Knox resolution by which $4,000, in
stead of $4,000, would be appropri-
ated for the construction of stands in
front of the Capitol.
Senator Borah. continuing his de-
fense OF his position, declared that he
knew that an expensive Inauguration
would be an embarrassment to prcsi-
dsnt-elcct Harding and to the Repub-
lican party.
There are million men out OF
employment In this country now" he
a nl I ha tnfnrrnn1 a
therc will he 100000 men out of
employment by March I. We viii
have to answer to the country II we
arc extravagant in this matter"
Senator Reed declared that Lin
coins greatest inaugural CNtrava-
gancc was the shipping of thirty-four
girls from various parts OF the coun-
try. but it was without any cost to
the taxpayers.