Evening star., 1948-11-29
Truman 0k's
Review Stands
For Inaugural
President Requests
Thot Cost of Seuts
Be Kept Low
picture on Page A-3.)

President Truman today ap-
proved plans for simple yet dig
nified 1949 stands to be erected
in front of the White House for
the President to watch the in
augural parade.
Mr.. Truman gave his assent after
looking over the sketches and plans
brought to his Office by Melvin D.
Hildreth, chairman Of the Inaugural
Committee; District Commissioners
John Russell Young and Brig. Gen.
Gordon r. Young; William Boyle,
the committees White House liaison
official, and Branch D. Elam, WASH
ington architect who drew the de-
sign.
Mr.. Hildreth told reporters on
leaving the White House:
THE President was most generous
in his approval of the stand. He
said that the design is his idea Of
simple, beautiful and dignified
stand"
Bids to Be Taken at Once.
Mr.. Hildreth added that the Pres
ident's only other comment was
that he desired the cost Of seats for
the January 20 parade and for other
Inauguration Week functions to be
kept low. "He wants as many peo-
pie as possible to attend" Mr.. Hill
dreth explained.
Mr.. Hildreth said bids will be
taken at once to erect the stands on
both sides of Pennsylvania avenue
at the executive mansion. He added
that the inaugural officials had
discussed in general" the arrange
ments for the week to see that
everything conformed to Mr.. Tru-
mans wishes. Mr.. Hildreth said
the committee expects about three
quarters of a million visitors in the
city for the week.
He also disclosed a plan to have
each of the 48 State Governors in.
vited to the Inauguration stay at
one of the embassies or legations
while in Washington. The matter
is under discussion among the Dip
1omatic corps.
Stand TO Garry 5S Flags
Flags of the So United Nations
will be placed on the stand across
the street from the White House,
Mr.. Hildreth added, along with the
name OF patriot from each nation
to be chosen by that nation.
The stands in front of the White
House, on the south side of Penn
Sylvania avenue, actually will be five
in number. In the center will be
the Presidential stand, with two
smaller stands on either side. To-
gether they will reach from East
Executive Avenue to West Executive
Avenue.
The presidential stand itself will
be one structure, as shown in the
sketch, with three sections, built of
wood and painted white. The center
section, seating about $50 persons,
will be for the President and Vice
President, their families, the Cover
nors of the States, the cabinet and
White House officials and the dip
lomatic corps. This section will be
IS feet wide by % feet deep. A
large presidential seal will be
mounted on panel at the roof line
which connects the two large sup
porting columns. A flagstaff viii
be located in front of each column
for the American and presidential
colors. Small evergreens will be
placed in front of the stand
A bay on either side of the presi-
dental stand will seat $50 persons.
or total of 1,10O. These seats will
be for members of Congress and
other high officials and guests.
At the base of the f1agstaffs will
be glass-inclosed booths from which
radio reporters and commentators
will broadcast the ceremonies.
The four smaller stands. two on
either side of the main structure,
will seat about $50 persons each,
(See INAUGURAL. Page A-3.)