Evening star., 1948-11-23
$4,000 Budget
Increase Seen
For Inaugural
Rising Costs Face
Committee; Boil
Tickets to Be $40

Tickets to Be SIU
Rising prices may force the 1s49
Inaugural Committee to increase it's
budget from $150,000 to possibly
5000 900.
The committee had this under
consideration today along with a
suggestion that the base of the
guarantee fund put up by business
men of the District be broadened
by a popular appeal for contribu-
tions. In 1941 there were only 337
contributors to the fund. The sum
of 100000 was sought then and
$4,000 was contributed.
The Budget Committee met yes
terday with Robert v. Fleming,
chairman of the Finance Commit :
tee, 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.
Invitation Ball.
The ball will be all 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
liaisorl 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.
Mr.. Hildreth pointed out that dis
tinguished guests are provided seats
in the stands on the White House
side and hospitality dictates that
these guests be not charged.
Eight years ago about 80 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
cert of the contributed funds were
returned. Mr.. Hildreth recalled
that this was the year of the big
storm" when the Inauguration cele-
bration was hampered by abomin-
able weather. = Z q
; More than 300 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.
One $3.50 Order.
John F. Morrissey, director OF
ticket sales, said the largest order
was from the Holton-Arms School
$3.50 for 68 seats in the stands in the
White House block, costing $40 each.
The tickets have not been received
from the printer, but orders are
being taken.
Mr.. Morrissey explained the low
est priced seats, at $3.50. will be on
Pennsylvania avenue at Constitu-
ton avenue. He said among the
most desirable are those which will
be at the south end of the Treasury,
where the spectator will have view
down the Avenue toward the Capitol.
These will cost S..
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 Sc or ST.
He said the Riggs National Bank
has indicated it wants to purchase
the seats in the stands to be erected
in front of its building and recalled
1t had done so in the past.
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 too
great all or some will be covered, he
said.
One of the details awaiting ap-
proval by the White House is the
design of the presidential reviewing
stand. The design has been pro-
duced by the Washington Chapter
of the American Institute of Archi-
tects.
At a recent meeting of chapter
members, Mr.. Hildreth said, they
were asked to draw up then and
there a suggestion for such stand.
The resulting sketches then were
viewed by all participating and they
picked out the design which the
majority felt would best meet the
needs of the occasion.
Working drawings for any design
finally accepted will be prepared in
the office of Municipal Architect
Merrel A. Coe.
Gala Concert Being Planned.
Outlining plans for the gala con-
cert to be held at the Armory on
the eve of Inauguration Day, Carter
T. Barron, chairman of the Special
Events Committee, said the use Of
two stages will make possible an
elaborate production without waste
iof time.
The stages will be side by side.
While one act is being presented, he
Maid the adioininp stage will he