Evening star., 1953-01-11
G.0.P.Finishes
Plan for Biggest
Inauguration
Celebration Will Be
Dienified, but Far
From Simple Affair

from SiHPIe ATIoIT
Arrangements were completed
yesterday for an inaugural cele-
bration honoring Gen. Eisen-
hover that should dwarf all
events in Washington history
The million-dollar celebration
will be dignif1ed, as the Presi-
dent-elect insisted. But no one
contends it will be simple-as he
requested
After 20 years of Democratic
rule. nothing but very foul
weather can prevent the Repub-
lican show next week from being
the biggest thing of its kind
ever staged.
The three-day program COM
mencing next Sunday features
lavish entertainment at high
prices. 1t will be filled with gay
and costly parties. And the
parade highlighting inaugura-
tion day will be a spectacle to
require superlatives.
100000 Visitors Expected.
Joseph C. McGarraghy. chair
man of the Citizens Inaugural
Committee. comedies there is no
way to predict the size OF the
visiting throng. His staff. how
ever. is talking in the round
number" of 100000 visitors.
Most of the visitors are ex-
pected to crowd the parade route
from the Capitol to the White
House for close view of a pro-
cession 10 miles long.
In festive mood, all Washing
ton-both official and unofficial
will be busy this week with the
countless details of last-minute
preparation.
Red, white and blue bunting,
which already has begun to ap-
pear, will be strung by the thou
sands of yards on buildings and
store fronts lining the principal
streets. Coveted tickets for the
inaugural events will be diStrib-
uted to those with foresight
and money-to make reserva-
tions.
At the Capitol, a joint Con-
gressional committee headed by
Senator Bridges will make sure
that all is in order for their part
Of the big event.
Truman Will Watch.
This is the ceremony at noon,
January 20, in which Gen. Ell
senhower takes the oath as
President. and former Senator
Nixon is sworn in as Vice Presi-
dent. The ceremony is expected
to last more than Is minutes.
depending on the length Of the
speech by the new President
President and Mrs. Truman,
who will ride with President
elect and Mrs. Eisenhower from
the White House to the Capitol.
will witness the exercises. Chief
Justice VinSon will administer
the oath of Office to Gen. Eisen-
hover. and Senator Knowland
will administer the oath to his
California colleague. Mr.. Nixon.
The dignitaries on hand will
include former President Hoo
yer, the incoming Cabinet mem
bers, the diplomatic corps, men,
bers of the Senate and House,
Governors of the States, mill
tary brass and hundreds of
leading Republicans. Seats will
be available in front of the Cap
itol for about $4,000 persons Sc
lected by the G.. o. P. high
command. Other thousands
standees-will watch the pro-
ceedings from the Plaza be-
yond.
Afte r the short ceremony,
lunch will be served in honor of
President Eisenhower in the Of
flee of the Senate Secretary,
j. Mark Trice. Only a small
group will attend.
Parade to Start at 1880.
The parade, carrying out the
theme, Crusade in America, +"
will get underway at 1870 pm,
with the new President near
the lead. It will move across
Capitol Plaza to Constitution
avenue. then to Pennsylvania
avenue, to Fifteenth street. to
New York avenue and again on
Pennsylvania avenue past the
White House.
The Presidential reviewing
stand will be Immediately in
front of the White House on
Pennsylvania avenue.
The parade will combine a dis
play of military power, bands
and State f1oats-some Of which
will depict the life story of Gen.
Eisenhower. Overhead. ATS air.
planes of the armed services
will fly in salute. The Air Force
is proceeding with it's plans for
a demonstration by massed
planes, despite a protest de-
scribing this as a hazardous
undertaking. Authorities said
full precautions will be taken for
safety.
The social climax of the three
day program will be the ira
ditional Inaugural Ball Janu-
ary 20. It will be held in two
sections to meet an unprece-
dented demand for tickets, The
dancers will be divided between
the National Guard Armory and
Georgetown University's Nc
Donough Auditorium.
Special Church Services Set.
A full schedule of events has
been arranged for those here by
next week end. Special religious
observances will be held through
out the city on Sunday That
afternoon the visiting Governors
- ~AI.nu .l{n,niforiac vyiIl hn