Evening star., 1949-01-02
1900 Request
Invitationsto
Pleas Pose Problem,
Since Guests Already
Have Been Selected

AOOuC SUI requests Tor invitations
to the inaugural ball have come to
the Ball Committee from all over
the country to provide the COM
mittee with one of the most tick
lish problems of inaugural week.
This was learned last night from
Melvin D. Hildreth, general inaug-
ural chairman. He said that the
Ball Committee is sending out about
1000 invitations although there will
be room at the Armory for only
about 5000 people on the night of
January 20, date of the ball Ad-
mission is by invitation only-plus
$40 per person.
The committee is assuming, Mr..
Hildreth said, that about 1000 of
those invited will decide against
spending the $40. Others will be too
far away from Washington to make
the trip. And quite a few of those
on official invitation lists, such as
Governors, are Republicans who are
not expected to turn up here on
Inauguration day.
Is Representative Group"
Mr.. Hildreth said the invitations
are going to representative group"
of people, selected by the Demo-
cratic National Committee, labor
leaders and others. He hopes, but
is far from certain, that everyone
who wants to come can be accom-
modated An additional problem is
the clearance from security stand
point which is necessary since
President Truman will be there.
The inaugural gala, a combina-
ton concert and vaudeville show
featuring top-name entertainers, is
having similar problems. The plan
is to offer the 5000 tickets on a
first-come- -first-served basis some
day this month at prices ranging
from $3.50 to $40 per person But
already about 1000 requests for
tickets accompanied by cash to-
falling around $4,000 has come in
the mail
Mr.. Hildreth said those who write
in advance, inclosing checks to
cover the price of tickets, will have
priority when the tickets go on sale.
Requests may be addressed to In
augural Gala Committee, Tariff
Building, Seventh and E streets NV.
Parade Tickets Selling Fast.
Tickets for the inaugural parade
are selling fast, Mr.. Hildreth said,
but there are plenty of good seats
still available. He reported that
the committee has taken in about
$4,000 for $4,000 seats. About $1,000
seats are being erected.
SO far about 1000 of the 5000
inaugural medals have been sold.
Mr.. Hildreth said.
The first of the official $4,000 in
augural souvenir programs will be
ready for sale about January 10,
he reported. They will cost rs cents
each. The booklet was edited by
Edward Boykin, director of the Ma
tional Capital Sesquicentennia1
Commission. 1t is Y pages with a
color cover. The program will in
clude old photos and prints of ear
lier inaugurals, a special message
from President Truman and other
features.
Meanwhile, the American Heri-
tage Foundation announced the
Freedom Train definitely will be on
exhibit during inaugural week at
the tracks adjoining the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing at Four
teenth and B streets S.W.
Trains Last Stop.
Special visiting hours will be set
aside for 5000 public school, 1000
private school and 1900 parochial
school pupils on January IT, 18 and
19. Invitations have been sent to
the diplomatic corps, members Of
Congress and other dignitaries to
visit the exhibit of the most IA
nous American documents. 1t will
be the last stop on the trains tour
of the Nation.
A pre-inaugura1 ball on January
II, to which the PresiG ut and Mrs.
Truman have been invited, will be
held by the Police and Fire Post,
VFW, at the Washington Hotel. Of
flcers and members of all veterans
organizations in the area are in
vited.
Latest appointment to the in
augural committee is that of George
Killion, head of the American Pres
ident Lines, to head the steamship
committee. A group of other ship
line executives will aid him.
An offer of housing for up to 100
inaugural guests has been made by
the Upper Montgomery County Vol
unteer Fire Department in it's new
fire house at Beallsville, it was an
nounced by F. Byrne Austin, head
of group housing in the county.
1t is hoped group. of college boys
can make use of the space.
Dad Tvnee PInnd e,nnIv