Evening star., 1940-12-17
Davies Predicts
Record Crowd
For Inaugural
Says Entire World
Senses Importance
Of Occasion

tOrlcal importance OF the 1naugura
ceremonies here next month, JOSEPH
E. Davies, former Ambassador te
Belgium and Russia and chairman
of the Inaugural Committee, told the
Washington Board of Trade last
night.
Mr.. Davies said he believed the
number, of persons who will come tt
Washington for the occasion viii
exceed any other Inauguration.
The country seems to feel the
historic sense Of this event and the
unique character which this occa-
sion will present not only in our
Nations history, but in the history
of the world as we'll"
Telling how other nations would
turn their eyes to Washington on
January 20, Mr.. Davies said there
are millions in Germany and Rus
sia and Italy who are looking at
this Inauguration as a symbol OF
freedom and awaiting an opportu-
nifty to destroy the colossus that
seeks to regiment them"
Answers Questions Of Europe.
Mr.. Davies praised the Board OF
Trades activities on behalf of Wash
ington and then answered questions
from members on the European sit
uation. The meeting was held In
the Willard Hotel. Guest of honor
was Senator King of Utah. who is
retiring as chairman of the Senate
District Committee after his defeat
in the Democratic primary in his
State.
President James E. Collif1oWer
of the board presented the Senator
with a leather bound testimonial
and Commissioner J. Russell Young
delivered speech, praising the
Senator for his work on behalf of
the District.
Mr.. Davies, in reply to questions,
said in his opinion the Germans
would organize the great granaries
of Russia to prevent starvation in
Europe.
Pointing out that half the world S
supply of wheat. oats and rye came
from Russia, Mr.. Davies said that
these enormous granaries are avail
able to Europe. He said that from
private sources he had obtained
information that the people of Bel
GUM, as we'll as of the other invaded
countries, had provided themselves
with sufficient food for subsistence
during the winter.
Sees Britains Hopes Brighter.
Representative Jennings Ran
dolph, chairman of the House Dis
trict Committee, asked what chance
England had of winning.
1T looks better now than it has
for long time he said. -Four
men cannot destroy justice, right,
truth and decency."
Speaking of plans for the in
auguration, Mr.. Davies said it was
the expressed wish of the President
that the ceremonies be character
lied by as great a degree of sim
plicity and economy as is possible
consistent with the dignity and the
Importance of the occasion"
For these and other reasons, :"
he said, "it has been decided that
there will be no inaugural ball
There will, however, be other fea-
lures which have in the past char
acterized these ceremonies"
After telling of indications that
great crowds would come to Wash
ingtOn for the ceremonies. Mr.
Davies said:
Your committee is. therefore.
working on plans and provisions with
this in mind. We are counting on
your continued cooperation and
help. Through such agencies of
publicity as may be open to you
trust that you will disseminate the
information as widely as possible
that 7 out of the last 10 January
20ths, according to the weather rec
ords, have been fair.
Quotes President.
In conclusion, I think you should
know that in the course of my dis
cussions of the Inauguration with the
President of the United States, he
has taken occasion to express him
self to me as deeply appreciative of
the fine spirit which the people of
Washington have demonstrated, not
only in connection with this inaug-
uration, but with the preceding ones
in which he has participated"
Mr.. Davies told how he had been
impressed with the beauty and civic
spirit which he found in Washington
upon his return from abroad.
With the completion of the plan
of the Planning Commission, as the
years go on, and with the pattern
which age will bring, think that it
can be said, without fear of success
full contradiction, that Washington
will be without question the most
beautiful capital in the world.
I'm contrast with what I have
seen in Europe, am impressed with
the fact that distinctive of America
are the volunteer civic improve
ment bodies which characterize the
enterprise of virtually every munic-
ipality of our country. They are
peculiar to the American spirit of
individualism, enterprise and self
help. Your Washington Board of
Trade is illustrative of that spirit to
an extraordinary degree.
Laud's Boards Record.
The record of the 48 years of
public service of the Washington
Board of Trade is outstanding. The
roster Of your contributions to the
good of the community is g. long
one and will be an everlasting nonu-
ment of the fine men and diStin-
guished citizens who have been re-
sponsible for the organization and
splendid effectiveness OF your or
ganization"
Senator KING Gives Talk.
Senator King praised the work of
the board. He said that he planned
to live in Washington and hoped
some day to be made "doorkeeper
of this magnificent organization. !"
He said he hoped the board would
continue to work for the good of
Washington in order that the city
might be representative of the