Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-26

Il
| attire, and / think that the 4th Of March will
| show that the citizens and this committee have
done their duty"
1T was proposed to the committee that an
elaborate system of decorated arches spanning
| the avenue at intervals would be effective. The
conclusion was reached, however, that this
method of decoration would detract from the
appearance Of what il regarded a. one of til.
finest avenues in the world. I think that the
wisdom Of this conclusion will be generally
admitted. Ali that is needed is to adorn the
buildings in gala attire as an evidence that the
citizens of Washington welcome the nation to
this great national celebration"
A BRILLIANT BALLROOM.
"The portion of the work assigned to my
committee" said Col. o. G. Staples, the chair
man of the committee on ballroom decora-
tons, has been completed We have reason
/ think, to besentirely satisfied with the awards
made of the various contracts. The contrac-
tors are men OF responsibility, and they guaran-
tee to do the work to the satisfaction of the
committee. We have made a contract with a
Brooklyn decorator and he will make the hall
of the pension building a thing Of beauty,
while New Yerk florist engages to perfume
the air and delight the eve with choice flowers
Hundreds of electric lights will flood the build
ing with softened radiance, and if the ball
room does not present picture never before
excelled in this country for beauty and
elegance, the chairman Of the committee
does not know what he is talking about
There Is not going to be any mistake
about the ballroom decorations. The commit
tee has given this subject careful attention be-
cause Its importance was recognized from the
beginning. We had designs of how the differ
ent bidders proposed to decorate, and after ex-
aiming them all we selected what we consid-
cred the most suitable. In the decorations the
American colors will be the prevailing feature
Palms and Towering plants and flowers will be
used IN great abundance, and will blend with
the other decorations. The Japanese pagoda
in the center of the hall for the use of the two
bands will be highly ornamental. Contrasting
with the silk of varied colors, there will be
pieces Of silver-plated armor, which will reflect
the lights and give an additional touch of bril-
liancy to the scene. The great pillars will form
an effective part of the decorations.
In addition to what the contractors will do
Mr.. Wash. b. Williams, at his own expense,
will furnish the rooms to be occupied by the
President and the Vice-President The COM
mittee has provided for portable fire extin-
guishers to be placed about the building for
use in the contingency Of a fire.
THE INAUGURAL SUPPER.
The arrangements for the supper were en-
trusted to q committee, Of which Gen. Geo. B.
Williams was made chairman. The committee
soon acquired q vast amount of knowledge
concerning suppers in general. 1t arranged
for fitting up the spacious apartments OPEN
court extending from the center door to the
northeast corner Of the building. as a supper
room. A temporary structure will be erected
on the parking outside, extending, like the
supper-room, from the central entrance to the
east end of the pension building. This will be
the kitchen.
''While my committee" said Gen. Williams
to STAR reporter, naturally preferred to have
Washington caterer furnish the banquet, still
1t was unanimously agreed that the local peo-
No hau aIar.rrt all b. n
do to meet the tremendous demands that will
be made on them on the 4th, and it was desired
that the supper should in all points be an i'm
provement on former efforts. A subcommittee
consisting Of Messrs. J. F. Olmstead, W. F.
O'Brien, F. b. Moves, the secretary of the COM
mlttee, and myself was appointed to consider
all propositions made. and after very patient
weighing Of the merits of the various propo-
sails, decided in favor Of that Of Mr.. George G.
Boldt, of Philadelphia.
ITO one at all acquainted with Philadelphia
any comment on Mr.. Boldts qualifications is
superfuous. 1t is sufficient to say that he is
the proprietor OF the three leading gastronomic
resorts OF the Quaker City-the Bellevue, the
Stratford, and the restaurant in the Bullitt
building. II the supper is Of q character to
maintain the reputation made by Mr.. Boldt in
his other enterprises, we are to be congratu-
ted on having accepted his proposition.
1.-The bill OF fare has been made up with great
care and consists largely of dishes that can be
eaten with fork, the use Of knife being in
convenient at buffet supper. All of the de-
tails are being satisfactorily arranged, and 1
have no hesitation in saying that we anticipate
o great success in the supper"
The arrangements for the management Of
the supper-room, as detailed by Gen. Williams,
are well planned, to insure prompt service and
prevent confusion. All communication be-
tween the kitchen and the supper-room will
be by way of the windows on the north side.
Through these dishes will be passed back and
forth. A long buffet will be placed running
through all the different apartments parallel
with the north wall and about feet from it.
Behind this will stand q corps of attendants.
whose duty will be simply to carry on the COM
munication between the supper-room and the
kitchen. On the other side will be another
corps OF walters to serve the guests.
GRAND MUSIC PROGRAMS.
Major A. Il. 8. Davis, chairman Of the music
committee, said the idea seemed to have gone
broadcast that his committee had been author.
lied to furnish not only the music for the ball
and the promenade concerts, but for the street
parades, both day and evening. As a conse-
quence propositions from q large number of
country bands have been received by the COM
mittee almost from the moment it commenced
work. sour duty" said the major, CONSISTED
wholly in providing music for the ball and
promenade concerts, but when outside organi-
cations, civil or military, have written us FOR
band or drum corps, we have directed them to
the managers Of these organizations"
chow do you think the music furnished bv
your committee will compare with that of
former similar occasions?" asked The STAR re-
porter.
''That question may be better answered after
the 4th of March. But have no hesitation in
saying that believe it will be pronounced to
have been surpassed by that OF no other in
augural ball. Realizing from the start the
fact that the ball and its accompanying prom
enade concerts were TO be the revenue sources
OF the inaugural ceremonies, and that the
necessary and incidental expenses of the street
decorations, fireworks, &C., would be much
larger than ever before, because grander and
more elaborate, our committee extended their
inquiries and researches over a large portion of
the musical field within reasonable distance
OF Washington, determined to get the best
talent that could be had, all things considered.
We are satisfied with the result, and feel con-
fdent that our judgment and decision will be
approved"
Care there any special points Of interest
about the organizations you have contracted
with?"
"Of course" was the reply. 'sThe Marine
band, under the dictatorship Of Prof. Sousa.
needs no enconiums at my hands, Its reputa-
ton is not confined to our capital city. 1t is
known almost wherever music is taught and the
fact that some Of the finest band leaders in the
country have declined to enter into competi.
ton with Professor Sousa for the promenade
music Of the ball and the concerts Is of itself
sufficient guarantee that this feature of the in.
augural could not be surpassed. Beck's
band and orchestra, of Philadelphia, which
has been contracted with to furnish the dance
music for the ball, was organized in 1880 and