For the first 145 years of the American republic, presidents were inaugurated March 4, with the date advanced to Jan. 20 under the 20th Amemdment ratified in 1933. Now Sen. Claibome Pell, DR.I. has introduced a proposed constitutional amendment that would move the inauguration to Nov. 20. Sen. Harry F. Byrd Jr., I-Va. is co-sponsor of the measure under which senators and congressmen would assume their duties Nov. 15. Currently members of Congress take office Jan. 3. Pell argues that once the people have elected a president, they want to see him in office quickly. With modern communications and transportation, there is no need for a prolonged transition, he said. Two other points made by the senator: – Presently the transition period between two administration is a time of nearparalysis of govemment. – If inaugurated earlier, a new president could submit to Congress his own budget for the fiscal year beginning the next Oct. 1. At present, the outgoing president submits the budget. All of the arguments aren’t on the side of a stepped-up inauguration, of course – especially one so soon after the November election. Would the scant time between election and inauguration give a president-elect time to screen and appoint Cabinet and sub-Cabinet officials? Would there be time for confirmation hearings by Senate on top appointees? Theres room for debate on both questions. The first inauguration timetable was fixed by the Congress of the Articles of Confedration after the constitution was ratified in 1788. The day designated for the new government to begin was the first Wednesday in March 1789 which was March 4. This subsequently came to be the inauguration date for presidents. (The date had to be waived the first year. So slow were members of Congress in reaching New York, U.S. capital at that time, that it was April 6 before a quorum of both houses was present, and April 30 when George Washington, the first president, finally was inaugurated. ) Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 became the last president inaugurated March 4, and in 1936 the first to take office Jan. 20. To be enacted as part of the constitution, Pell’s amendment would require two-thirds approval of each House of Congress and ratification of at least 38 states. This is a proposal that demands discerning study. When a schedule is locked into the constitution it is difficult to change. Undoubtedly many Will not want to tamper with the present setup. Others may wish to support the new proposal or anamended version “splitting the difference” on the time advance because of the voluminous details between election day and inauguration. Let your senators and congressman know how you feel.