The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-02
THE INAUGURAL BALL.
Decorating the Pension Building-ClOthes
for Gentlemen and Ladies.


for Gentlemen and Ladies'.
Special to the indianapolis journal.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28--About five hundred
people were admitted to the new Pension Build
ing to-day to see the preparations being made
for the Inauguration ball. They were mostly
newspaper men and persons having some con-
nection with the entertainment to be given IN
the night of March 4. The work is we'll aj-
vanced, but there remains very much to do. The
immense ceiling, which is of rough planks, is
almost entirely covered with flags, bunting,
evergreen, pictures, and other decorations AS
anticipated in these dispatches, the infamma
BILE nature Of the decorations invites fire, and
considerable damage was done this evening.
There are numerous huge gas burners, some
thing of the appearance of large electric jets.
throughout the allroom and combined they
give out much heat. At times they send up
spurts of fame and if the air has moved any
of the decorations within reach there is fire,
About carload of flags, ETC.. have been
put up, and mirrors and all kinds of furniture
are being put in row. The decorating will con-
tinue till Wednesday. The heating, ventilating
and acoustic properties have all been tested
The ventilation is miserable; the air was heavy
and sultry to day, and of just the consistency to
give an intense cold. being so different in all
respects from that outside. The room can be
heated sufficiently, it has been found, and it's
acoustic properties are excellent. Great
trouble will be encountered in putting the floor
in proper condition. 1t is very rough and shaky
at some points. man, by jumping or sliding
like one will do in a calop, schottische or waltz
oailc q a1o fhn fnr hy1n6 rad foo 1Ia
archways leading from the curbstones to the
entrance have been covered, so that the guests
need not DO exposed to the elements in entering
the building from their carriages.
To-day there has been rush for tailoring and
furnishing establishments, and great many
people are figuring upon the cost of attending
the inaugural ball. For a gentleman. dress
suit, standing collar, white silk tic, pair Of
light gloves coupe, bouquet of flowers two
tickets, and young lady are requisites, besides
supper and other incidental expenses. Besides
the toilet, it will cost So to $40 for carriage or
coupe; for flowers, So to 500, according to pride
and purse; for supper So for "tps," and SIS for
other incidentals
mo man., said gentleman at the building
to-day, "can do himself credit with an outlay of
less than $25 for ball expenses. exclusively, not
to mention his outfit before starting"
A leading merchant tailor says he will have
500 dress suits rented for the ball He charges
So each, and has hired many of them to con-
gressmen and prominent politicians. He has
fifty coat-makers at work upon dress suits for
the ball. He has, he said, sold 300 or 400 dress
suits during the fortnight just past, the lowest
price being SOS, and the highest $95.
There is little less rush for ladies' ball cos
tunes. A fashionable modiste says the limit of
her trade is being pressed, and all capable seam
stresses in the city have been engaged for weeks
on ball dresses. Tho average price is from
$50 to 49, although many are sold at
from $3.50 to $500 The fashion is still a
long train, and very decollete. There are inn
mense stocks of costumes on hand, ready made
and ladies are guilty, with the gentlemen, of
dressing in other peoples garments. Indeed,
nearly half tho ladies are hiring their costumes
Delicate satins will be mostly worn. Rose col
or, pink, white. cream, etc. A very aristo-
cratic color (black) will be worn by some
and trimmed with lace, and tulle and gold or
silver cords.
Washington is filing up very rapidly the no
tells are crowded already. Tho streets are