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Story
January 11, 1961
The Nome Nugget
Nome, Nome County, Alaska
What is this article about?
Republican Senators debate formal attire for John F. Kennedy's inauguration on Jan. 20, 1961, with some preferring business suits to avoid alienating voters, as discussed in a GOP conference in Washington.
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Inaugural Attire Is a Big Question
WASHINGTON (A)- Will a voter look down his nose at a senator who wears a high silk hat?
More to the point, will the fancy headgear cost the senator votes on election day?
Republican Senators will have to decide for themselves and then choose before Inauguration Day. The party isn't going to advise them.
The crisis stems for an indication by the Inaugural Committee that distinguished guests are expected to wear formal attire.
A GOP conference pondered the situation yesterday and decided to take no stand as a group.
"We decided to let every man decide for himself what to wear on the occasion," said Sen. Everett Dirksen of Illinois, the Senate Republican leader.
"There may be some who will wear formal or semiformal attire such as striped trousers and short coats."
Another Republican Senator, George Aiken of Vermont, takes a dim view of formal attire, particularly when voters are looking on.
Aiken recalled that he wore a top hat, striped pants and a cutaway coat at a reception in Canada in the 1930s for the then King and Queen of Britain.
"There were about 400 Vermonters there," Aiken said. "It almost nipped my political career in the bud."
Republicans at the conference, Aiken reported, held mostly to the point of view that John F. Kennedy's assumption of the Presidency Jan. 20 "will be an inauguration not a coronation and we'll wear business suits."
WASHINGTON (A)- Will a voter look down his nose at a senator who wears a high silk hat?
More to the point, will the fancy headgear cost the senator votes on election day?
Republican Senators will have to decide for themselves and then choose before Inauguration Day. The party isn't going to advise them.
The crisis stems for an indication by the Inaugural Committee that distinguished guests are expected to wear formal attire.
A GOP conference pondered the situation yesterday and decided to take no stand as a group.
"We decided to let every man decide for himself what to wear on the occasion," said Sen. Everett Dirksen of Illinois, the Senate Republican leader.
"There may be some who will wear formal or semiformal attire such as striped trousers and short coats."
Another Republican Senator, George Aiken of Vermont, takes a dim view of formal attire, particularly when voters are looking on.
Aiken recalled that he wore a top hat, striped pants and a cutaway coat at a reception in Canada in the 1930s for the then King and Queen of Britain.
"There were about 400 Vermonters there," Aiken said. "It almost nipped my political career in the bud."
Republicans at the conference, Aiken reported, held mostly to the point of view that John F. Kennedy's assumption of the Presidency Jan. 20 "will be an inauguration not a coronation and we'll wear business suits."
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Inauguration Attire
Senators Debate
Formal Wear
Business Suits
Voter Perception
Gop Conference
What entities or persons were involved?
Everett Dirksen
George Aiken
John F. Kennedy
Where did it happen?
Washington
Story Details
Key Persons
Everett Dirksen
George Aiken
John F. Kennedy
Location
Washington
Event Date
Jan. 20
Story Details
Republican Senators face a dilemma over wearing formal attire like top hats and striped pants or business suits to Kennedy's inauguration, fearing voter backlash; party leaves decision to individuals after conference.