Evening star., 1948-11-15
Special Holiday
For Inaugural
Aim Of Hi|dreth
Mammoth Celebration
Planned; Many Key
Appointments Made

Melvin D. Hildreth, newly-ap-
pointed general chairman of the
1949 Inaugural Committee, pro-
posed today that President Tru-
mans Inauguration January 20
be marked by designation of In
augural Week, with a Govern
ment holiday from Thursday
through Sunday and a man.
moth inaugural ball.
Acting less than "a hours after
his appointment by the President,
Mr.. Hildreth conferred early today
with District officials on prelimin-
ary plans for the largest inaugural
celebration in the history Of the
Nation.
He launched plans for the city's
observance of administration of the
Presidential oath by making
series of key appointments to the
committee which will run the
inaugural celebration
Commissioners on Committee.
He named. Commissioners John
Russell Young, Guy Mason and
Gordon r. Young vice chairmen,
along with Arthur Clarendon Smith,
former Ambassador Joseph E.
Davies and A. L. Wheeler, chair
man of the Democratic Central
Committee of the District.
He also named Corcoran Thorn as
treasurer and Mrs. Ethel Black Sec
retary of the inaugural committee.
Other committee chairmanships
were announced by Mr. Hildreth as
follows:
Robert v. Fleming, financial; VIII
liam Boyle, White House liaison;
Gerhard Van Arkel. legislative:
Howard Armstrong, ushers and su-
pervisors; Mrs. Ernest K. Lindley,
housing and hospitality: James Will
liam Bryan, publicity; Movie Star
Melvyn Douglas, motion picture par
ticipation; Edward Boykin, program;
Polict Supt. Robert j. Barrett, pub
lie safety.
Other Appointments Listed.
Also, Edgar Morris, inaugural ball;
J. C. Turner, grandstand construc-
ton; Inspector Richard H. Mans
field, concessionaries; Ben Strouse,
department store exhibits; Carter
Barron, special events; Thomas P.
Morgan. transportation; Nellie Tay-
loe Ross, medals, and Clem Preller,
office audits and books.
Chairmen of many other commit
tees remain to be selected, Mr.. Hill
dreth pointed out.
He named Charles Stofberg, spe-
cial assistant to Commissioner John
Russell Young, co-ordir1ator for the
inaugural committee, and added
that Protestant, Catholic and jew
ish clergymen would be named joint
chairmen Of a committee on relig-
tous observance of the celebration.
At an informal discussion with
District officials prior to sched-
uled meeting with the Commission
ers at 2:30 pm. today, Mr.. Hldreth
said the committee plans to ask
the White House to authorize a
Government holiday so that Fed
eral workers would have off four
DAYS. January 20 falls on Thursday
and the proposed holiday would ex-
tend over Friday, Saturday and
Sunday.
Ball Set for January Fl.
The inaugural ball tentatively has
been scheduled for Fsiday, January
q, in the huge drill hall of the
National Guard Armory. The Dis
trict Armory Control Board already
has set aside the drill hall for in
augural functions.
Mr.. Hildreth also is contemplating
erection of large reviewing stands,
grouped around a reproduction of
The Observation-Disclosures home Of
Andrew Jackson-on Pennsylvania
avenue in front Of the White House.
In past years, these stands have
been designated the Court Of Honor.
Chairman Hildreth proposes to call
the block the Avenue of Patriots"
Each of the Western Hemisphere
nations will be invited to inscribe
the name Of an American patriot
on the white wooden pillars which
will flank Pennsylvania avenue