Evening star., 1925-01-26
DECORATING FUNDS
FOR INAUGURAL SET
$28, 900 Allowed for Building
Stands and Trimming
Route of Parade.

An appropriation OF s2S,oO0 for the
construction of stands and decoration
in the court of honor for the inaug-
ura ton of President Coolidge next
March was approved today by tBe
general committee at the request of
its chairman, William 7. Galliher.
This sum represents virtually all
that will be spent by the committee
for street decorations.
In urging approval of the appro-
prlation, Mr.. Gslliher said that mer-
chants on Pennsylvania avenue from
the Peace Monument to Fifteenth
street, where the court of honor be-
gins, would be requested to dress up
their own stores on Inauguration
day. This plan was adopted as
necessary measure for the conserva-
tion of funds in the face of a budget
that Is considerably less than that
of the committees which handled
previous inaugural ceremonies. Mr..
Galliher pointed out that heretofore
the sale of tickets for seats In the
court of honor has usually netted
approximately $4,000.
Saving of $4,000.
On this basis previous committees
having that court in charge, he said,
have usually received that amount
to spend on their stands and decora-
tions. That committee this time, how
ever. will receive $4,000 with which
10 build its stands and $4,000 with
which to decorate them, making to-
tai saving of about $4,000 over pre-
vious inaugurations.
The scheme of the court of honor
will be colonial. 1t was announced
several days ago that the colors for
Washington on March would be buff
and blue, the regimental colors of
the Continental Army.
These will be worked out in the
courts to give 1t a distinct colonial
atmosphere.
To make sure that the decorations
along Pennsylvania avenue would
not be a heterogeneous mass OF bunt
ing and flags, a subcommittee is being
formed, it was announced, to confer
with the property owners along the
Ihoroughfare and work out, with
those who are willing. a distinctive
scheme of decoration in keeping with
that of the Court of Honor. It Is
likely that on this committee will be
named two members for each block
on the Avenue.
Decide on Blocks.
Each of these pairs will be assigned
a definite block, IT is expected, one
taking the north side of the street
and the other the south. They will
wait upon the property owners, ex-
plain the project to them, and en-
deavour to convene block meetings
for definite arrangement.
Throughout its work the advisory
committee which presented the re
quests for appropriations, has cut
q 10
tion. For instance, the committee on
fireworks has been allowed but $4,000
for its display. The fireworks dis
play during Shrine week cost SO, 900.
The committee on historical sites
asked for $500 and was granted $3.50.
Mr. Galliher pointed out that here
tofore it has been the custom to pre-
sent to the President, the Vice Presi-
dent and the chairman of the inaug-
ural committee gold badges. Bronze
badges were usually given to the
members 70 the inaugural committee
10 commemorate their work in the in
duction into office of the Nations
President
Funds for Badges.
Because of the lack of money this
time, Mr.. Galliher asked that the
chairman Of the committee at least
be given no consideration whatever and
requested an appropriation of only
S400 for the committee on badges.
The appropriation was promptly
granted as were the others hereto
fore mentioned when so requested
by Mr. Galliher.
Engraved invitations formally ask
ing their attendance were mailed to
the Governors of every State in the
Union today. Accompanying each
was a letter from Col. Fred A. Fen
ming secretary OF the inaugural COM
mittee, asking them to inform him
Immediately the name and the size
of their official escort The next
meeting of the committee will be at
the call of the chairman, 1T was an
nounced at the conclusion OF today's
session.
After the meeting it was unoffl-
cia1ly stated that the court of honor
would seat approximately 10000 per-
sons. Heretofore, it has been the
custom to reserve a large section
around the Presidents reviewing
stand for the use of the Presidents
personal guests. The same plan will
be followed this year. and it is ex-
pected that the number of seats so
reserved for President Coolidge will
total about $50.
The committee on public comfort
of the inaugural committee has been
row morning at the New Willard
Hotel. Mrs. Virginia White Speel is
chairman Of the committee and Miss
Kathleen LawIer is secretary.