Milford chronicle., 1925-02-06
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
(By National Editorial Association)
Especial to Chronicle1


Washington, Feb AUST a month from today
the nation will witness what may be justly
termed an unusual historical event. On Marcel
4, the twenty-seventh President of the United
States will administer the same oath that he
took on the same date in 1909 to the thirtietL
President! Few have considered this dramatic
situation but it is easily apparent. By virtue OF
his Office as Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme
Court, William Howard Taft standing on the
Capital steps clothed in the dignified robe of his
Office will read the oath or affirmation of idel-
ity to the Constitution as prescribed by this doc
ument Calvin Coolidge, by reason of his cleo
tion, in word or two will pledge his allegiance
to his country and the principal ceremony is
thus at an end.
Great changes have occurred since the Taft
inauguration and these will be noted next month,
especially on Inauguration day. When Taft be-
came the Chief Executive the ceremonies were
marked by pagentry. The 1925 affair in COM
pliance with the Presidents wishes will be very
simple His decision in this matter has brought
! about petty protests especially from those who
would benefit socially or financially from spec
tacular inaugural. Mr.. Coolidge, through the
sudden and tragic death of President Harding
took his oath of Office at Midnight in an old New
England farmhouse when his father a notary
public, read the Constitutional oath without
ceremony of any kind.
There are many of the socially ambitious
who would make the Inauguration an occasion
for glOrifying the presidency. Mr.. Coolidge, how
ever, has other ideas and does not approve of
these Ziegfeld methods in official life Knowing
ChaC an invitation to inaugural ball is some
thing to talk about for years many Washington
women and society leaders in other sections of
the country are insistent that social function
OF this character should be held whether or not
the plan receives official endorsement.
Mr.. Coolidge has froWned upon formal in
augural ball. Ingenious society women are now
trying to palm off charity ball as the crOWning
event of the inaugural ceremonies. The Presi-
dent has made it clear that he does not propose
a 1ir TUhi 1of1 11Ty foIro
away some of the zest of the promoters. He has
even disapproved of the idea of having troops
parade on Pennsylvania Avenue Unfortunately,
there are many people who see nothing unless
it glitters. The Chief Executive regards his job
in serious way and does not want his inaugu-
ration embellished with theatrical enects. 4
The retiring Congress-, especially the House,
finds itself in difficulties trying to put Dun
and Bradstreet classification in political sense
on their members. Republicans are endeavor- |
ing to enforce party regularity by reading ir-
regulars out of the Councils. 1t is an undertake !
ing laden with great risks and the minority is !
watching the proceedings in secret gIee.
The hubbub over the confirmation of Harlan |
Stone will undoubtedly subside when the De-
Dartment of Justice presents it's case against
Senator Wheeler in the Federal courts. Upon
he judicial determination of the Senator's guilt
'r Innocence under the accusation of official
Mr. Stones job as a member of the
supreme Court will hinge.
The folks back home often complain that
congress taxes lJSef TOO seriously Ihe human
quation is never submerged. To keep an even
leel in official life, sense of humor is essen
ial, indeed saving grace for many who other
wise would appear ridiculous. Congressman
Syrnes of South Carolina, Democratic leader,
q calling attention this week to the evils of
amused the House by showing
ONE of nOnsensical publications issued at con- '
iderable expense to the taxpayers. One of the
ulletins was the "Diary of HOme-making Ac-
Vities" advising women to jot down their t
houghts and doing during the day. The House
7as also told that departmental official want {
d large appropriation from Congress recently l
4 order that he could investigate as to how G
lany hours woman might work without being I
atigued. 1t shows the tendency of minor Fed
raj officials to provide themselves with employ
tent regardless of the value to the country at S
lrge. The President and Congress are deter c
lined to WELD the axe on appropriations. There t
a wild scramble for Congressional patronage
5 the government payroll is cut. q
1t is indeed fortunate for the constituents of U
1me legislators that they are not Obliged to e
stem to speech-making in Congress. The Off d
al stenographers are usually exhausted at the
nd of the day. They are among the few obliged o.
give attention to the orators. Though it -
1sts considerable money to the taxpayers to (.
eep Congress in session, an ambitious legisla-
IT from the South actually attempted to give
lie House frst-hand information about Alaska!
good geography would have furnished the in r
rmation, without, of course, the fine poetic IL
uches of the Southern visitor who explained, Il
wv fish are caught in Artic waters. AS if the ii
ouse cared, for this "I stood on a hilltop near d.
airbanks and looked upon the midnight sun, 81
its tender rays fell upon these ice-crown- 81
!, snow-capped mountains, lighted with mellow b,
ow of FURNISHED gold, etc." M