Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-05
Hart, Hi|dreth
Speed Up Plans
For Inaugural
BY WILLIAM A. MILLEN

blull Oh The new FfeSlQenC on
Monday. January 81. moved
steadily along today, as officials
sought to speed up the pre-
liminaries.
George L. Hart, jr.. chairman
of the Republican State Com
mittee, and Melvin D. Hildreth.
Democratic national committee
man, are pushing the prepara-
tory plans, which include the
possibility of an architectural
competition. If President Eisen-
hover and Democratic aspirant
Adlai Stevenson agree, this COM
petition would be held for the |
Presidents inaugural stand near
the White House. To save time,
the new incumbent Of the White
House would have an early choice
of designs for his stand, under
this plan.
Mr.. Hart announced he con-
ferred yesterday with the Ma
tional Guard Armory board and
tentatively reserved the ArmoryI
for January IA to %. Plans call
for holding the Inaugural Ball
there.
Date Falls on Sunday
While January 20 is the ordi-
nary date for inaugurating al
President, next year it falls on
Sunday. Congress, in February
passed a concurrent resolution
setting up the joint committee Of
three Senators and three Repre-
sentatives to make the necessary
Capitol Hill arrangements to in
augurate the President-elect and
the Vice President-elect on
January 81.
The new President will take
the oath of Office privately on
Sunday January 20, and the
public ceremony will be held
the next day.
Mr.. Hart also talked yesterday
with Brig. Gen. Thomas A.
Lane. District Engineer Com
missioner, concerning planning
of the seating stands along the
streets for the general public
and others.
Sectional Stands Possible
Gen. Lane will inquire into
the possibility of using sectional
stands, in whole or part. If
feasible, the preference is for
these sectional stands, instead
Of the expensive Manufactured
stands that must be built around
trees or shrubs.
Potential contractors around
the country viii be contacted on
an informal basis. They will be
asked to submit bids, and later
these will be presented to the
chairman of the Inaugural Com
mittee, when he is appointed
by the new President. Mr.. Hart
and Mr.. Hildreth are co-chair-
men. appointed by the District
Commissioners, to look into pre-
liminary details. But Mr.. Hart
made 1t clear yesterday, follow
ing a luncheon meeting in the
National Press Club they have
no authority to make contracts.
Efforts will be made also to
have the hotels reserve rooms
for members of the Inaugural
Committee, Governors, Senators,
guests and other dignitaries.
Work without Staff
The General Services Admins
tration is being asked to supply
the new Inaugural Committee
with furnished Government
space.
Mr.. Hart pointed out that he
and Mr.. Hildreth will not have
q staff of any kind. Already
people have been making apph-
cations for employment. he said
But he explained no staff will
be set up until the chairman Of
the Inaugural Committee il
chosen by the new President.
After the election, the Official
ICongresSional com mittee ir
|charge of the ceremonies or
Capitol Hill will meet again tt
make final plans. This is headed
by Senator Green, Democrat o.
Rhode Island, who is also chair
man Of the Senate Rules Com
mittee.
Other members are Senator
Sparkman, Democrat Of Ala
bama, and Bridges, Republican
of New Hampshire; Speake
Rayburn, Democrat of Texas
Majority Leader Mccormack
Democrat, and Minority Leade
Martin, Republican, both o
Massachusetts.
]. George Stewart, Architec
of the Capitol, said that, Will
plans are under way to reno
vate the east front Of the Capt
toll, no demolition or other con
struction work will be under
taken before the inauguration
Only some test borings to &c
engineering data on sub-so
conditions will be taken to 81
the job set up. he said. tn
President is customarily inaugu
rated at the Capitol's east from
Ground Floor Offices
Mr.. Hildreth said insugTI
Offices in the Civil Service Builc
ing or Tariff Commission woul
serve splendidly. He said !
wanted ground floor space, mall
ing it easier to buy tickets. +
said he has received letters fro
insurance agents regarding Il
furnishing Of insurance.
Before yesterdays luncheo
Mr.. Hildreth and Mr.. Hart hf
a number Of telephone conve
sations about the problem.
Meanwhile. on another fror
MI. Hildreth said, Washingt'
businessmen are taking prelir
mary steps on the guaranty ful
a., connectinn with the inatiq