Evening star., 1949-01-20
$500 Join Trumans,
Bark|ey in Watching
Star-Studded Gala
picture on Page A-5.)


picture on Page A-5J
Showmen, singers, dancers and
musicians by the hundreds hailed
the Nations two leading men" at
lavish inaugural entertainment in
the Armory last night.
President Truman and Vice Presi-
dent Barley, despite heavy sched-
ule today, returned the salute by
approving all the stage acts until
the final notes sounded and the
flags stopped waving at 12:40 am.
The Inaugural Gala, 24-number
blend of vaudeville, concert and
pageantry, drew an audience of $500
and stretched over into Inaugural
ton Day by running more than
three -and-a-half hours.
Operatic ariaS, symphonic selec-
tions, jive band-storms, soft-shoe
dancing, torch singing, master-of-
ceremonies patter and respectful
ribbing of the Chief Executive made
the show one of the most elaborate
and unusual ever put on here. 1t
was especially different" because
practically all the stage participants
turned the applause, as well as many
of the songs and sayings, directly to
q member of the audience, President
Truman.
Charlie Gives Tax Advice.
Charlie Mccarthy, for instance,
told Edgar Bergen he had 'inti-
mately" advised the President to
"beat the tax" on his new 100000
salary "by spreading it over 10
years." Charlie also suggested that
the Presidents cabinet be incorpo-
rated Ito get around the capital
gains tax"
Lum and Abner, radio comedians,
remarked they never expected to
attend the 1949 Inauguration. But,
they added. a lot of people didn't
expect Mr.. Truman would be able
to attend it, either.
Joan Davis, of screen and radio.
paid tribute to the President by
telling how humble she felt in
taking part with so many of Mr..
Truman's associates and famous
friends
Why" she said, IT feel as unim-
portant as the hyphen between
Taft-Hartley."
The vast Armory hall was filled to
capacity long before the President,
Mrs. Truman and Miss Margaret
Truman arrived at 9 pm. from the
electors college dinner. They oc-
cupied the presidential box in the
balcony directly opposite the stage.
Mr.. Truman had completed a
rather professional quick-change act
himself. He changed from the full
dress attire he wore at the electoral
college dinner to a Tuxedo in eight
minutes.
Train Load Of Stars.
As soon as they and Vice Presi-
dent Barkley were seated the
whistle Stop Express" circled the1
hall. A miniature engine carried
a train of six cars. each bearing
the name of Missouri city or town
associated with the Presidents
career and each packed with stars
of the show.
I'm Just Wild About Harry" and
the Missouri Waltz" gave the train
musical accompaniment, and were
repeated many times during the
evening. MY Old Kentucky Home"
also reminded the audience that
the new Vice President was on
hand.
With George Jessel and Phil
Harris alternating as masters of
ceremonies, the following artists
had their few minutes on the stage:
Phil Spitalny and his All-Girl Or
chestra. Abbott and Costello with
their baseball skit," a favorite Of
the President; Lena Horne, Tony
and Sally De Marco. the dancers;
Alice Faye, with Phil Harris; Phil
Regan and his Irish songs, Joan
Davis, Jane Powell, Lionel Hampton
and his band, Dorothy Maynor,
Gene Kelly, Kay Starr, 12-year- -old
Margaret O'Brien, the screen star,
who recited a Peace Prayer; Ed
gar Bergen. Jane Froman and Fer
ruccio Tagliavini, Metropolitan
Opera tenor.
Impressive Finale.
closed with Il Love a Piano." a
skit with seven pianos in action
on the stage, climaxed by every
one pointing to his favorite piano
player.
The "favorite," seated at a huge
piano and surrounded by three
other players strikingly similar, was
made up to represent the presi-
Dental pianist. Charlie Mccarthy
contended later he is so much on
the inside" at the White House
that he considers himself "the man
behind the piano STOOL"
At the close of the show, the
National Symphony Orchestra took
the stage, under the direction of DR..
Hans Kinder. Then that orchestra
and the Army, Navy, Marine and
Air Force Bands in adjoining Sec
tions Of the balcony, along with the
show orchestra directed by Sam Jack
Kaufman, joined in an impressive
finale.
1t consisted of a parade of the
States and the District, massing
Of colors of the armed services. sing
ing by $50 members of Washington
choral groups, and "The Star
Spangled Banner" by Lucy Monroe
and the audience.
Because of the long program, hun
dreds Of spectators left before the
finale. The President and Vice
President remained until the end.
After their cars had driven away,
the front Of the Armory and many
adjoining streets were filled for more
than half hour with private cars
and taXicabs.