Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-11
Personal Convic-
tions Prompt
His Appeal.
ASKS THAT MONEY
BE NOT EXPENDED
Is Dazed by "Fuss" as
March 4th Draws
Near.
by ROBERT T. SMALL.


BY ROBERT r. SMALL.
MARION, January lin calling on
all the proposed inaugural festivities
at Washington, including the time
honored parade and ball, Senator
Warren G. Harding acted on his own
personal convictions.
When the subject of the inaugura-
ton first was broached to him. more
than two months ago, he said: II
could have my own way about 1t.
would walk to the Capitol On March
4. take the oath of office. speak my
little piece and then ride back 10 the
White House on a street car"
When Senator Borah. therefore,
proposed recently in the Senate tnat
Inauguration expenses be Ilmteo TO
$40 to provide a taxicab for the new
extravagant ideas about the cere.
mony than the man most concerned
in it.
Sabordinated Own Wishes.
Senator Harding was prevailed upon,
however, to subordinate his own
wishes in the matter. He was told
that a return to normalcy carried
with it return to the impressive in
augural ceremonies of the days OF
Taft, of Roosevelt and of Mckinley.
He was told that while the festivities
attending the actual inaugural cere-
monies mi ght be irksome to him. they
would bring pleasure to thousands OF
Tedb blooded Americans who wanted
to see the change of admi nj StrAGons
made an occasion for rejoicing.
So at last Mr.. Harding consented, but
hardly had he done SO when he WAS
made aware Of the fact that q serious
controversy was threatened among
the republicans in Washington as to
which one of them should have the
honor of serving as chairman OF the
civic Inauguration committee.
Mr.. Harding disposed Of this Cor
dian knot by forcing the chairman
ship on his warm personal friend. Ed
ward Beale Mclean. publisher Of the
Washington Post and the Cincinnati
Enquirer. Mr.. Mclean was reluctant
to take tho place, but when it was put
before him in the light Of personal
service to the senator, he accepted.
pased With AFsss.n
When Mr.. Mclean and Senator Knox.
the latter chairman of the congress
sional inaugural committee, were in
Nsrion ten days ago it WIS stated in
tA6ee dispatches that Senator Hard
iftR frankly was dazed that so much
fuss" should be made over him He
intefposed no objection to the plans at
that time, however.
Later, when he realized that Con-
gress was being asked to appropriate
$4,000 Of the peoples money for the
mere purpose of erecting a stand at
the Capitol and to provide police pro-
tection, the President-elect became
entire inauguration outlay. despite the
fact that he was told the celebrations
In the past always had paid for them
selves.
All Of this was followed by an out
break of criticism in the Senate and
House. Senator Harding has been
reading this criticism with a great
deal of care It has been apparent to
all who have had contact with him
the last week or more that his wor-
ries embraced more than the mere
making of cabinet or deciding upon
q plan for new association OF ma
tions.
Seads the TeleEfaMs.
The senator hesitated long while
before finally patching his telegrams
Of cancellation to Senator Knox and
Mr.. Mclean. He was afraid his mo-
tives might be misunderstood. He was
afraid he would hurt the feelings of
many Of his old friends in Washington
who were looking forward to the cele-
bration and who had accepted respon-
sfbilitieS in connection Herewith at his
own suggestion.
He wanted. however. to go back to
his own inclination of merely taking
the oath Of office in the simplest pos
sible way. making the expected inaug-
ural address, which is likely to be
shorter than most inaugural addresses
of the past and then returning to the
White House to 60 to work.
Just what the particular straw was
that broke the cameFS back has not
been disclosed.
Some are inclined to believe that the
dromedary's vertebrae gave way when
the senator discovered that one of his
closest and dearest friends here in
Marion was being held up" for $3.50
for three rooms engaged at PennSyl-
amount actually arrived here. and it is
believed it was shown to Senator Hard
ing himself. 1t was necessary to take
each room for a week. whether desired
that long or not, and the charge was
$3.50 a week per room.
Disappointed at Marion.
The Marion home folk naturally are
somewhat disappointed that all the fes-
tiyities at Washington have been thrown
into the discard. They wanted to march
in the parade many Of them had planned
some unique features for ''the big show
Tho Harding Marching Club had ordered
zoo special suits of clothes. There had
been some trepidation about the hotel
rates. but hopes were expressed thai the
Marlonites might travel by special train
and be allowed to occupy the cars while
in Washington.
Several score Of the home folk will 20
IN the capitol anyway to SEQ Senator
Harding sworn in and to call later at
the White House and wish him Cod
speed.
The calling off OF the inaugural cere-
monies has in no way affected Senator
9arding's plans for a vacation in the
..outh. which will begin the latter part
of this month.
Copyright. 1927
oiiin nAlIc E0R Held