Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1921-01-14

Marion, o., Jan. 12.-Complete aban-
donment of all plans for an inaugural
celebration in Washington March
is insisted upon by President-elect W.
G. Harding In kilograms to Senator
Philander G. Knox, chairman of the
congressional inaugural committee,
and Edward B. Mclean, chairman OF
the Washington committee, the Presl-
dent-elect expresses the sincere wish"
for the simplest inaugural program
consistent with the actual require
ments in taking the oath of Office as
president.
Attacks in congress On plans for
costly inaugural, it is understood here,
prompted the action of Senator Hard
ing The telegram to Senator Knox
| follows:
81 have been reluctant to intrude
my views relating to inaugural plans,
| but / cannot longer remain silent
without embarrassment and misun-
| derstanding which / had rather avoid.
Please convey to your committee my
sincere wish for the simplest inaugu-
raj program consistent with the actual
requirements in taking the oath Of
office and the utterance of befit-
ting address. / very respectfully re-
| quest that congress will not appropr1-
ate and your committee will not ex-
| pend any fund whatever. l am IA
milfar with the custom of erecting a
platform and providing seats for
| guests who witness the ceremony at
the capitol, but it will be most pleas
Ing, to me to have this ceremony take
| place within the capitol or on the
east porch in it's stately simplicity,
without a single extra preparation for
| the occasion. This will require no
expense, and we shall be joint par
Elephants in an example of economy
as well as simplicity which may be
helpful in the process of seeking our
normal ways once more I have ad-
| dressed a message of like import to
| the inaugural committee, asking the
abandonment of the parade and ball,
and hope for an acceptance of the in
truded suggestion in the spirit which
! has inspired it.
Es(Signed)
WARREN G. HARDING"
The following message was sent to
Edward B. Mclean, chairman of the
Inaugural committee:
/ 81 beg respectfully to suggest to
your committee the complete abandon
ment Of all plans for an inaugural
celebration. Heretofore / have been
very reluctant to express my person
al views to your committee because 1
know of the cherished regard in our
national capitol for this quadrennial
event, and the generosity of the citi-
Zeus of the District in making provi-
sion for it. You were good enough
to accept the Craftsmanship at my re-
quest. and you and your associates
have won my lasting gratitude for the
time and labor you have given to
preparation. However, if it is becom-
/ ing to express, my preference / wish
/ you and your committee to know that
the impression of extravagant expend-
! itUre and excessive cost would make
| me very unhappy participant. I
| know full well that the government
outlay is relatively small, and that
the larger expenditure comes from the
! generous contributions of District citi-
zenship, but it is timely and whole
some to practice the utter denial Of
public expenditure where there is no
real necessity, and It will be a whole
some example of economy and thrift
If we save the many, many thousands
which the inaugural celebration will
call from the private purse Of those
attending.
ST have sent q message of like pur-
port to the congressional committee,
and expressed the wish that no prep
arations 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 work which will
be calling. Again expressing my graf
itude to you and your associates and
to the generous people of Washington,
I am very respectfully.
| (Signed)
"WARREN G. HARDING"