Evening star., 1924-12-09
PRESIDENT AGREES .
TO|NAUGURAL UPON
ELABORATE SCALE
Great Parade on Avenue and
Evening Reception May
Be Feature.
AFFAIR TO BE MANAGED
BY LOCAL COMMITTEE
Question of Ball Not Definitely Set
tled-Citizens' Bodies Elated
at Prospect.

The National Capital is assured OF
having an elaborate celebration of
the inaugural of President Coolidge
on March next.
President Coolidge himself told
callers at the White House today
that' although he has not defnitely
decided about the extent of the ceIe-
bration, or the details, he has agreed
to large parade on Pennsylvania
avenue. He intimated that the prop
osition to hold an official reception
that evening has not been definitely
decided, but this feature, as we'll as
others suggested as incidental, will
be worked out later
Local Management Planned.
1t also is the intention of the Pres
ldent TO leave management of the
celebratlon to a committee of citi-
zens of the District and, he intimated
that the next step he will take in the
settlement of the inaugural project
Will be the appointment of the chair
man of this important committee. In
the meantime the President wants to
confer with the Senate and House
committeeman who will have charge
of the inaugural ceremonies at the
Capitol.
While President Coolidge has from
time to time made it quite plain that
he personally would rather have the
inaugural ball feature eliminated.
those with whom he talked today
received the impression that he will
not persist in this stand. 1t was
gathered that the evening function
will be officially described as a re-
ception rather than ball and that it
will be arranged in such a manner as
to meet fully the Presidents ap-
proval and at the same time add to
the impressiveness of his inaugural
ceremony.
Cfvis Bodies Cooperate.
The Presidents partial agreement
today to a return to the ''oldfash
ioned" Inauguration ceremonies OF
the past is considered to be the di-
rect result of movements launched in
that direction by the civic bodies of
the District.
The Chamber of Commerce and the
Merchants and Manufacturers Asso-
citation have both sent delegations TO
the White House with suggestions
for the inauguration this year, both
of which mentioned a parade as one
of the features which should be re-
sumed, while the Board of Trade has
offered its full cooperation to the
President.
1t is probable that the parade will
include West Point Cadets and mid
shipmen from Annapolis. as well as
representative bodies of troops of the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps. Such
details as this, however. will be
worked out by the committee to be
placed in charge of the whole affair.
Charity Ball In Balance.
One of the important features OF
the ceremonies, and one upon which
the. President has not taken def
mite stand, is the reception or in
augural ball usually held the night
of the inauguration.
a group of prominent society and
welfare leaders of the District has
suggested that the charity ball. which
made a successful debut last inaugura
tion in lieu of the inaugural ball, and
which raised a substantial sum for
certain charities in the District, be
repeated this year.
1t is not the intent of these leaders,
however, to have the charity ball If
an official reception or inaugural ball
is decided upon. The advantages OF
this function, which directly benefits
worthy causes, will be considered by
the President as against the advan-
tages of a formal reception.
Commerce Chamber Proposal.
The recommendations for inaugural
celebration on March 4, as proposed by
the Chamber of Commerce, were laid
before Senator Butler of Massachusetts.
chairman of the Republican national
committee, at the Capitol today by
Isaac Cans, president of the chamber,
and other officers. Senator Butler ex-
pressed his interest in the matter. 1t is
expected he will confer with the Presi-
dent before long to ascertain his views
regarding the inaugural ceremony.
Following the visit of the officers of
the Chamber of Commerce Senator But
ler said that the proposal submitted
was new to him He will be guided in
the matter by the advice of the Presi-
dent II there is to be an Inauguration
of the kind suggested. and a local COM
mittee is to be appointed, the chairman
Of the Republican national committee
will make the appointment, it is en-
pected.
Gnns Issues Statement.
Following the conference. Mr.. Cans
issued the following statement:
"The committee of the Chamber Of
Commerce, which yesterday visited
President Coolidge to confer with
him regarding plans for the proper
observance OF inauguration day, this
morning had a very pleasant inter
view with Senator Butler, chairman
of the Republican national committee.
The committee advised Senator But
ler of the steps so far. taken, and
furnished him q copy of the resolu-
tions which We're presented to Presi-
dent Coolidge yesterday.
Senator Butler met the committee
very cordially, and expressed himself
as pleased that the committee desired
to keep him advised of any local sug-
gestions or plans for the proper OBJ
servance OF inauguration day. He ex-
pressed the opinion that the wishes
of the people of the country should
be considered. The Senator of course,
could do no more than take under
advisement the suggestions made, as
Congress has as yet taken no steps
toward the appointment of its inau-
gIiral committee"