Evening star., 1948-12-26
(Story ON United Nations seals
for Inauguration on Page A-89

SLOTV OTI CULtSu NuLtOnS Scuko
for Inauguration on Page A-89
A fireworks display, including fea-
lures like those used at the inaugu-
ration of George Washington in
1889, will be presented at the big
outdoor celebration Inauguration
night, January 20.
Plans for the event on the Monu-
ment Grounds were outlined last
night by Melvin D. Hildreth, gen.
eral chairman of the Inauguration
Committee. Expenses of the cele-
bration will be taken care of by a
gift of $500 received yesterday
from a group from Chicago, Mr.
Hildreth said.
The program will include re-
production of the fireworks display
presented for President Washing
tons inauguration in New York anc
demonstration to dramatic tht
Star Spangled Banner.
1889 News Account Quoted.
Detailed description of the Wash
ington celebration has been fount
in the Maryland Gazette of May
1889, Mr.. Hildreth said. At that tim
the fireworks included burning o
"transparencies" to represent Gen
Washington and the Senate ant
House. The "transparencies," nov
known as "set pieces" will be re.
produced here.
The account in the Gazette saio
in part:
I'm the evening was exhibited
under the direction of Col. Bauman
very ingenious and splendid show
of fireworks. BetwiXt the fort and
Bowling Green, stood CONSPICUOUS q
superb and brilliant transparency
in the center of which was the por-
trait of the President. represented
under the emblem of Fortitude; or
his right hand Justice, representing
the Senate of the United States
and to his left Wisdom, representing
the House of Representatives.
The Arms of the United States
and several figures and decorations
were painted with great taste and
Judgment
Anthem to be DramatiZed.
The National Anthem will bt
dramatized at the monument lot by
red rockets bursting in air, while q
huge American flag 40 by 80 feet ir
size, carried by blimp, will be
spotlighted from the ground. Music
will be provided by a 200-piece bane
being sent here for the inaugural by
Gov. Folsom of Alabama.
, Meantime, another feature has
been added to the gala" celebration
the night of January 10 at the Ar
mory, Mr.. Hildreth announced. This
will be the singing by big chorus
of the music presented to Gen
Washington as he was greeted a
Trenton, N. j., en- route to his New
York Inauguration. A copy of tn
words and music has been found b.
the Library of Congress, Mr.. Hill
dreth said.
Insertion of the features of Wash
ington's Inauguration into the Tru
man ceremonies. Mr.. Hildreth said
is in line with the policy thi
year to give public expression t.
the belief of Americans in tn
continuity of democracy and o
the Office of the Presidency"
How the public reacted to Presi
dent Washington was aptly de
scribed, Mr.. Hildreth said. in ;
History of the United States writer
by Richard Hildreth, his great-great
grandfather.
Washington desired to proceed
to New York in the most private
manner" said the historian in Vol
ume 4, of his six-volume work OF
the early life of this country. 'bu
the flow of veneration and gratitude
could not be suppressed
Clergymen Selected.
In addition to the plans men
toned above, further details of tht
ceremonies at the Capitol January
20 were disclosed by Leslie Biff1e
executive secretary of the Joint
Congressional Inaugural Committee
The Rev. DR.. Edward H. Pruden
pastor of the First Baptist Church
which President Truman attends
will deliver the invocation and the
Most Rev. Patrick A. OBoyle, Arch
bishop of Washington, will offer the
benediction.
Archbishop O'Boyle and Dr.. Pru-
den are cochairmen with Rabb
Norman Gerstenfeld of the Reli-
gious Participation Committee In
the 1949 Inaugural Committee
which is in charge of the civic
celebration of the Inauguration.
Vice President-elect Barkley will
take the oath of Office on an old
! family Bible, Mr.. Biffle said. It hac
been announced previously that Mr.
Truman will use one that has long
been in his family's possession.
More than 10000 requests have
been received for the upwards OF
II 900 seats being prep hred at the
Capitol, sMr. Biffie addd He said