Evening star., 1948-12-05
Truman Battery
Is 10 March as
Inaugural Unit
Other Veteran Groups
To Take Part; Seats
Planned for Disabled

President Truman's World War ]
Battery D will march as a unit In
his inaugural parade next January
20, it was announced last night.
The unit, part of the 35th Di-
visions 129th Field Artillery, has
been the Presidents pride for long
time. Announcement of its par
ticipation in the inaugural, came
from Harlan Wood, chairman of the
Veterans Participation Committee
and from General Chairman Melvin
D. Hildreth.
Other participants also announced
for the veterans division include the
national commanders of the United
Spanish War Veterans, the Veterans
of Foreign Wars, American Legion,
Disabled American Veterans, Irish
War Veterans, Catholic War Veter-
ans, Military Order of the World
War, National Sojourners and their
womens auxiliaries.
Also scheduled to take part Is the
2OO-piece band of the American Le-
gion's Milwaukee Post. MIR. Wood
said the unit is considered one of
the finest ex-servicemen's bands in
the Nation.
Mr.. Wood announced he has ap-
pointed special subcommittee,
q headed by William T. Slattery, de-
partment commander of the DAV.
RI yNrny,iln re o1nnr tho do
route for disabled vets from nearby
hospitals.
Other Developments.
Other inaugural developments:
Leslie Biffle, secretary of the Joint
Congressional Inaugural Committee,
said Vice President-elect Barkley
probably" will take the oath of
Office on the same outdoor stand as
that used by President Truman. Mr.
Biffle said he had talked yesterday
with Senator Barkley about the
matter and that the Senator had
pretty much decided on the step.
Vice Presidents generally have taken
the oath in the Senate chamber
where only a small number of guests
can be accommodated.
Mr. Hildreth issued a detailed
statement declaring reports the in
augural festivities "are conducted
to raise funds for the Democratic
National Committee" are COM
pletely false" He reiterated earlier
statements that the profit, if any,
must go to charity by law and that
in the case of deficit it will be
shared by the guarantors, Washing
ton and nearby area businessmen.
1--WE shall try to brea; even and
have neither surplus nor a deficit"
he said.
To Set Up Budget Soon.
He said a budget will be set up
as soon as the committee knows the
cost of erecting the stands at the
White House. bids will be opened
Monday.
Mr.. Hildreth added that there are
some expenses in connection with
the inaugural over which the COM
mittee has no control He said it
could not control "the price of van
tage points on the parade route that
are under private ownership but
we hope they will not charge scalp
ers' prices"
He added that there will be many
souvenirs not authorized by the
Inaugural Committee sold by pri-
vate dealers and there will no doubt
be unofficial publications that will
be sold without regulation by this
committee. We cannot fix the price
of these items. However, street
vendors licensed for the parade
route will be supervised closely and
strictly regulated by the concessions
committee, headed by former Police
Inspector Richard Mansfield"
To Study Food Stalls.
Mr.. Mansfield announced his COM
mittee will meet Tuesday to give
further study to food stalls along
the parade route and to take up
such matters as special vending
licenses for souvenir statesmen.
H. Graham Morrison, special as
sistant to the Attorney General, was
named a member of the legal COM
mittee.
Brig. Gen. Wallace H. Graham,
President Truman's physician, was
named to head the committee on
medical aid for all inaugural cere-
monies.