"What a Time"

Taking over a state that has been declared a depressed area in 56 of its 67 counties, William Warren Scranton, 45, attempted to bring some austerity to Pennsylvania's traditionally gaudy inauguration ceremonies. He showed up wearing a business suit rather than the usual cutaway, held the inaugural parade down to a mere three hours, gave the shortest inaugural address oldtimers could remember. But after eight years on the outside, Pennsylvania Republicans could not resist turning Bill Scranton's inauguration into a proper wingding.

Ten thousand of them packed the State Farm Show arena to hear Scranton take the oath of office and promise "a new era in Pennsylvania progress." Concentrating on the need for cooperation between parties, Scranton also said, "Don't tell me that Pennsylvania can't lick its problems, because I know it can. We still have the same God-given natural resources, the same advantages for commerce and industry, the same progressive spirit that brought us greatness in other ages. But these things must be tapped."

That night 5,500 merry Republicans attended, at $12.50 a head, the inaugural ball in the Harrisburg Zembo Mosque, and Scranton himself was caught up in the enthusiasm of the occasion. He spun his wife around in a Viennese waltz and a polka, went a few fast fox trots with his 17-year-old daughter Susan, who took off her shoes in a display of considerable confidence. Later, Scranton performed a three-minute Charleston solo, causing a startled observer to exclaim, "Can you imagine what the Democrats will do with a picture of Scranton spread out in a Charleston position?'' He got a quick answer from another G.O.P. lady: "Wasn't he just great? It shows we've got a real human being for Governor. What a time we're going to have."

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