Evening star., 1948-11-19
McGrath Backs
Extra Holiday
For Inaugural
Will Introduce Bill
Giving U. S. Workers
a Days to Celebrate


National Committee, will introduce
a bill in the new Congress to make
the day after Inauguration Day
Friday. January 2l-a holiday for
Government workers in the District
There is no doubt that Govern
ment workers will be dismissed In
auguration Day itself to witness and
participate in the festivities.
The 1949 Inaugural Committee
has been making plans for four
day week end of celebration of
President Truman's Inauguration.
Senator McGrath, member of
the Joint Congressional Inaugural
Committee. expressed doubt that
January 81 holiday would be pos
sible without legislation.
Meets Committee Chairmen.
General Chairman Melvin D. Hill
dreth met yesterday with about IS
of his committee chairmen and vice
chairmen for the first time since
he assumed charge of the celebra-
ton.
The committee opened headquar-
ters this morning in IS Offices on
the first floor of the old Tariff
Commission building in the block
bounded by Seventh and Eighth
streets and E and F streets NV.
The telephone of the headquarters
is Sterling 1855.
Robert v. Fleming, chairman of
the financial committee. disclosed
that rising costs of construction,
materials and help have forced the
committee to raise its proposed
guarantee fund estimate from $780,
900 to $150,000. This means that
Washington businessmen will have
to contribute s50,000 more to the
inaugural guarantee fund for 1949
than they did in 1941. The money
is used to finance the ceremony and
Is repaid to the contributors from
Seat, program and medal sales.
Mr.. Fleming's Financial Commit
tee was to meet today to select an
Executive Committee to help raise
the guarantee fund. Mr.. Fleming
said he already has received pledges
from the Capital Transit Co. and
the Potomac Electric Power Co.
totaling s11 900.
Mr.. Hildreth asked the committee
chairmen to submit a budget of
their planned expenditures within
the next week or so to give Mr..
Fleming's committee an idea of how
the $150,000 guarantee fund esti-
mate will stand up.
AL functions of the Inaugural
Committee, including ticket sales,
will be conducted in the Tariff Com
mission Building offices, Mr.. Hill
dreth told his co-workers.
The public may begin filing ticket
applications for seats along Penn
sylvania avenue at l pm. today, /
Mr.. Hildreth said. The tickets have
not yet arrived from Philadelphia,
ne said, but Ticket Director John
Morrissey and his staff will be ready
to receive applications this after
noon.
Committee officials revealed that
it is not certain whether the planned
inaugural ball will be held Friday
night, January 81, or on the night
of the Inauguration itself. Carter
Barron, chairman of special events,
said he believs January 20 more
desirable night, inasmuch as many
persons will journey to Washington
for one day only to see the cele-
bration. Edgar Morris, chairman
of the inaugural ball, said he will
confer with other inaugural Off
cials before deciding.
Mr.. Barron pointed out many
Hollywood movie stars and the Ma
tions leading musicians already are
planning to come to Washington to
participate in Mr. Truman's inaugu-
ration.
He also suggested an inaugural
gala" to be held January 10, the
night before the President takes
his oath, with the Hollywood stars
and the musicians participating.
Mr.. Hildreth disclosed, also, that
the Freedom Train and the French
Friendship Train will be parked
side-by-side on a downtown railroad
siding for inaugural visitors who
wish to see them.
Another feature of the celebra-
ton, Mr.. Barron said, will be floats
from each of the 48 States and
the territories to lend color to the
inaugural parade. Mr.. Barron said
he plans to invite industry to
participate in the parade.
Fire Chief Clement Murphy
offered the committee the use of
eight 100-foot aerial ladders to
form four arches over the Penn
sylvania avenue parade route.
Senate Group Meets.
Plans for arrangements on
Capitol Hill were discussed at length
yesterday at meeting of new
Senate members of the Joint Con-
gressional Inauguration Committee
Senator Hayden. Democrat, of
Arizona, joint committee chairman,
announced afterward that details
will be acted on later, when the
Senate members can get together
with the House contingent of the
committee to be appointed soon by
House Speaker Martin. The pres
ent delegation from the House con-
sists of Republican Majority Leader
Halleck, Majority Whip Arends and
Minority Whip Mccormack. This
is to be changed to give the Demo-
Gratis majority.
Attending the session yesterday
besides Chairman Hayden, were
Senator McGrath, Vice President
elect Barkley and Senator Lucas
Democrat, of Illinois, who is ir
line to be Democratic leader of the
Senate.
David Lynn, architect of the Cap.
itol, reported to the committee or
construction of the inaugural stands
on the east front of the Capitol
William T. Reed, deputy sergeant al
arms of the Senate, reported
progress in preparation of invita-
tions, tickets and programs.
H-lI> H.>.