Evening star., 1948-12-11
Crowd 10 Hear
Inaugural Over
Big System
$4,000 Capitol Setup
To Garry Address to
Estimated 10000

~ ~utty Tuu'SSS ~
Estimated 10000
The 100000 persons expected TO
pack the east grounds of the Capitol
on Inauguration Day were assured
today they will be able to hear
President Truman take the oath of
office and read his inaugural ad-
dress, even though many of them
will have difficulty seeing the Presi-
dent.
Leslie F. Biff1e, secretary of the
Congressional Inaugural Commit
tee, revealed that the committee has
ordered an elaborate public address
system so every one will be able to
hear within the area bounded by In
dependence avenue, Constitution
avenue and First street NE. and
Sc. The job will cost $4,000 and
has been awarded by David Lynn,
architect of the Capitol, to the
American Amplifier and Television
Corp.
Mr.. Biff1e, who estimated the
crowd this year will total at least
100000 and probably 10000, also
announced that Vice President-ele
Barkley is due back in Washington
by automobile this afternoon. He
said he will confer at once with
Senator Barkley to settle the oues-
ton of the Vice President taking
his oath of Office on the same out
door stand the President wild use.
Senator Barkley has indicated he
probably will agree to the outdoor
ceremony rather than one in the
Senate chamber, where space is at
a premium.
Requests for Seats Pour In.
Mr.. Biff1e also reported that re-
quests for the precious 1000 seats
in the inaugural stands Immediately
in front of the inaugural platform
are running far ahead of the ac-
comodatlonS. He estimated there
have been 10000 requests for the
seats, all of which are reserved.
They are parceled out to members
of Congress, officials of the Demo-
cratic and Republican National
Committees and other officials and
none are for sale to the general
public. The standing room behind
them, all the way back to the Su-
preme Court and Library of Con-
gress, however. is free on a first
come, first-served basis.
Meanwhile, it was learned that
the general public will be excluded
from the Federal buildings on the
Inaugural Parade route.
This has been determined by the
Public Buildings Administration,
which has jurisdiction over all Gov
ernment structures, Howard G.
Hunter, assistant commissioner, said
today.
Mr.. Hunter said each agency will
issue special passes to admit such
of its employees as it wishes for the
day. 1t may permit employees to
bring one or more members of their
families, but this practice will cut
down on the number of window
spaces available for the employees
themselves, Mr.. Hunter pointed out.
To Protect Property.
He said the public will be excluded
not only to give priority to the Gov
ernment workers in the buildings
and agencies involved, but as a Sc
curity measure to protect Govern
ment property.
John F. Morrissey, Ticket Com
mittee chairman, said yesterday he
was amazed" at the rapid response
of Government employees to ar
rangements for their purchase Of
parade tickets through their agen-
cieS.
More than 1000 tickets already
had been bought by Government
workers, he said
At present, he said, the ticket
Office in the Tariff Commission
Building, Seventh and E streets
NV. is accepting orders only for
tickets in the $3.50, SO, 81. S. and
Sc price groups. If additional seat
ing is provided the sale of So and
So tickets may be resumed, Mr..
Morrissey added.
Special Services Planned.
The Rev. DR.. Edward H. Pruden.
pastor of the First Baptist Church.
which President Truman attends,
said plans are being made for spe-
cial services in Washington churches
the Sunday of Inauguration week.
Ee is chairman of the committee
on religious participation.
Dr. Pruden said he hopes to con-
fer soon with the Most Rev. Patrick
A. O'Boyle, Archbishop of WASH
ington, and Rabbi Norman Gersten-
field, co-chairman of the committee,
to perfect plans.
Harlan Wood, chairman of the
Veterans Participation Committee,
announced Maj. Gen. Harry H.
Vaughan. military aide to the Presi-
dent, had accepted the post of vice
chairman of the committee Mr..
Wood said Gen. Vaughan will be
responsible for integrating the vari-
GUS out-of town veteran contingents
in the parade plan.
Robert j. Wilson, executive secre-
tary of the Washington Restaurant
Association, gave Mr.. Hildreth as
surance yesterday the Capitals res
taurants will not "gouge" visitors
on food prices.
He said some restaurants might
prepare special menus for the in
augural period, holding the number
of courses to a minimum, in order
to serve more patrons.
Chairman Richard Mansfield of
the Concessions Committee an
nounced the committee will welcome
bids for the parking lot concession
at the District National Guard
Armory.
The parking area there will ac-
commodate 1,400 automobiles for the
inaugural program January 10 and
the inaugural ball the next night,
he said.
The concessions chairman also
said Milton D. Norman, a member
of his committee, has inspected the
Armory and determined adequate