Evening star., 1948-11-23
District Firemen
TO Assist Police
AT At|nauguration
To Replace Imported
Uniformed Officers;
Budget Jump Seen

District firemen will augment the
police force on Inauguration Day,
thus doing away with the practice
of importing uniformed police from
Baltimore and New York, Police
Supt. Robert j. Barrett said today.
AS plans for the January 20 event
progressed the Inaugural Commit
tee revealed that rising prices may
force a $4,000 upward revision Of
the present $150,000 budget.
In this connection the commit
tee considered suggestion to
broaden the guarantee fund put up
by businessmen with a popular ap-
peal for contributions.
There were only 337 contributors
in 1s41, when 100000 was sought
and $4,000 actually was raised.
Reserves Cannot Be Used.
The decision to use firemen along
the parade route Stemmed from
successful employment Of more than
500 of them when President Tru-
man was welcomed home after the
election.
When he suggested the creation OF
q reserve police corps month ago
Maj. Barrett said, he had hoped this
organization could function at the
inauguration. But even though the
corps was approved by the Com
missioners today, there will not be
suffcient time to organize and train
the men, he said.
BY using firemen, q practice of
more than 20 years standing will
be abolished. Heretofore the Dis
trict has brought in about 200 Bal
timore and 100 New York police
men, paying tneir expenses snd
wages while tra:eling and ser7los
b'e.
10 8r;uE in Ostecti'es.
f1aj. Ba.1elt said the department;
Will request large Eastern cities 10
furnish crack detectives verxed In
the art of thwarting pick pockets,
confidence men, card sharps and
Others who drift In to prey on the
big crowds. From 10 to 100 detec-
tives will be imported.
The Budget Committee of the
group planning the Inauguration
met yesterday with Robert v. Flem-
ing, chairman of the Finance Com
mittee. at the Riggs National Bank.
One of the decisions was that tick
cts for the inaugural ball at the
Armory on January 20 will cost
$40 per person.
The ball will be an invitation af-
fair, the invitations going to dis
tinguished Americans" in the words
OF Melvin D. Hildreth, general chair
man Of the Inaugural Committee.
The plans made so far by the
Inaugural Committee were laid be-
fore President Truman yesterday
by William M. Boyle and the Presi-
dent gave his approval. Mr.. Boyle
said Mr. Truman also expressed his
appreciation Of what the Inaugural
Committee is doing.
Mr.. Boyle, assistant to Senator
McGrath, chairman Of the Demo-
cratic National Committee, is the
liaison man between the Inaugural
Committee and the White House.
Meanwhile, orders for tickets for
the reviewing stands are being
placed with the committee In sub
stantial quantity.
Stands Cost More.
Expected higher costs for con-
struction of the stands on Pennsyl-
vania avenue between the White
House and Lafayette Square is one
OF the reasons larger budget may
be necessary.
Eight years ago about 90 per cent
OF the guarantee fund was returned
to the contributors, Mr.. Hildreth
said. In 1888, he recalled, all Of
the money contributed was re-
turned and an additional $4,000
was turned over to charity.
In 1887, the first year the inaugu-
ration was held in January, IS per
cent Of the contributed funds were
returned.
More than 800 persons called at
the ticket Office in the Tariff Com
mission Building. Seventh and F
streets NV. yesterday, paying the
full purchase price Of tickets for
seats in the stands from which to
view the parade.
The tickets have not been received
from the printer, but orders are
being taken.
Ticket Office Established.
The ticket Office has been estab-
1ished in Room 166 of the Tariff
Building. Those calling at the Of
flee will find it best to use the E
street entrance, which is midway
between Seventh and Eighth streets
NV.
John F. Morrissey, director Of
ticket sales, explained the low
est priced seats, at $3.50, will be on
Pennsylvania avenue at Constitu-
tion avenue. He said among the
most desirable are those which will
be at the south end of the Treasury,
where the spectator will have a view
down the Avenue toward the Capitol.
These will cost IS.
There are plans to put stands
also at the north end of the Treas
ury. Mr.. Morrissey said it Is likely
chairs will be provided there, where
as stands along the Avenue near
the Capitol would offer the con-
ventional bleacher seating. If
stands are erected north of the
Treasury, he said, the price would
be $6 or 81. Seats in stands in front
Of the White House sell for $40.
Covered Stands Considered.
Brig. Gen. Gordon r. Young,
Engineer Commissioner, said bids
would be asked on the erection of
the stands in the block between East
and West Executive avenues, on the
basis both Of covered stands and
open stands. II the cost is not toe
great all or some will be covered, he
said.
Outlining plans for the gsla con-
cert to be held at the Armory on
the eve Of Inauguration Day, Carter
r. Barron, chairman of the Special
Events Committee, said the use OF
fno SSauae will ynoka YoeeiioIa or