Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-26
THE FOURTH OF MARCH.
How President Harrison will be In
augurated.

=
augurated.
YHE PUBLIC DISPLAY AND FESTIVITIES ARRANGED
BIT THE coMMrTEE-cHAIRNAy BRIrToS GIVES
SUMMARY OF THE PREPARATIoSs-THK WORK
DONE By VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
Few people realize the magnitude of the
work involved in the preparation for the popu-
lar demonstration which attends the inaugu-
ration Of a President. While it is a national
affair, yet the subscriptions Of the citizens Of
Washington and the voluntary services Of rep
resentstive committees Of citizens insure the
success Of the grand pageant and the comfort
and entertainment Of the great throng of spec
tators. The entire management of the coming
Inauguration has been intrusted TO a committee
composed Of thirty-two Of the leading citizens
Of the District. The chairman of this commit
tee is Alexander T. Britton. The work is sub
divided among twenty-one subcommittee, the
chairmen of which are selected from the MEM
bers OF the executive committee. The
work Of the subcommittee is done
subject to the approval of the exc
cutive committee. A suite of offce-rooms
in the Atlantic building are occupied as
the headquarters of the inaugural committee,
and here there are corps of clerks kept con-
stantly employed attending to the correspond
ence and inquiries which come in daily from
all parts Of the country. Mr.. Britton is obliged
TO devote a considerable portion of each day
to the work Of the committee. In his room at
headquarters he may be found in consultation
with members of the subcommittee and with
contractors, and in answering the great volume
Of correspondence which comes in nearly every
mail
In order to ascertain the progress Of the
work of preparation, and to give in a connected
form what has been done thus far, the chair
men Of nearly all the committees have been
interviewed by STAR reporters. The result Of
these interviews is given below, with a view of
the entire field seen through Mr.. Britton's
eyes.
TALK WITH CHAIRMAN BRIrroS.
'In general way can say" observed Chair
man Britton, shat all the arrangements for
the Inauguration are nearly completed. The
different subcommittee have, in nearly every
instance, brought their lsbors nearly to a con-
clusion with marked fidelity and ability. The
committees have supported me with great
deal of good-feeling. and there has been as
little friction as could be expected in an affair
Of this magnitude and hurried conduct. All
the contracts have been made for the printing
OF souvenir cards, tickets, and programs of
every kind; for the music at the inaugural
ball, both promenade and dance music; for hat
boxes in the cloak-rooms of the ballroom; for
the floral decorations of the hall and for all
other decorations, such as bunting, flags,
shields. &C.; for badges for the use of some
employees, and also the contract for fire.
works. Contracts have been nearly COM
pleted for furnishing the supper and for
electric lights inside and outside of the
pension building, and for the wiring, power,
&c. bill making an appropriation for addi-
tional policemen and for the purchase of rope
to be used along the Avenue has passed the
House and been favorably reported to the Sem
ate. resolution has passed both houses grant,
ing the use Of army and navy flags and is now
an 90 III
changes.
Tickets for the ball and supper can be OBJ
tanned by application to me accompanied by
the money. All information relative to re-
duced railroad fare for people wishing to visit
the city and IN regard to quarters and rations
after reaching the city can be obtained by ap-
plying to me or to the proper committee. As
You may judge the preparations are in for
ward state, and the arrangements are nearly
complete for conducting procession number
ing some 40 900 men; for the conservation of
public order during the inaugural period and
FOR the entertainment and comfort Of large
crowd, estimated to amount to over 800, 900
people, so that no one will be obliged to go
without shelter or food, or to pay exorbitant
prices for either.
''since my entrance upon duty as chairman
OF the inaugural committee in November last"
continued Mr.. Britton, 'there have been a
great many protests and complaints appearing
In the public press against what was assumed
W OC JUL COnuuCt OF the Inaugural
ball in this or that particular. No one Of these
complainants has ever made any inquiry, YER
bal or written, as to whether these assumed
facts existed or were likely to exist Had he done
% he could easily have ascertained that the as
sumed subject to which his complaints were
addressed neither existed nor would be per-
mitted to exist"
DUB MILITARY VISITORS.
"Our committee" observed Gen. Albert
Ordway, the chairman Of the military commit
tee, sis organized for the purpose of keeping
roster Of the companies who notify US of their
intention OF taking part in the parade. In
conjunction with the committee on public
comfort we assist the officers and representa-
tves Of the various companies in obtaining
suitable quarters for their stay in this city All
inquiries on this subject are referred TO the
is kept busy writing letters. We have thus far
been notified that some sixty organizations in
tend to come to Washington. They represent
some 1900 men. We know Of a great many
Others that intend to come, but have as yet re-
ceived no formal notification. The militia of
the great states OF Ohio. Indiana and Illinois
viii not, no doubt, be well represented on the
4th Of March Thus far the largest representa-
ton OF militia is from the state of Pennsyl-
vania. Already $500 men belonging to the
militia Of that state have been pro-
vided with quarters in this city, they
are divided into sixteen regiments of
infantry, three battalions of artillery and
three troops Of cavalry. The seventh repi-
ment of New York will be here and SO will the
nth Maryland. When the roster is completed
1t will, no doubt be seen that the inaugural
parade will represent the flower of the militia
Of the country. This feature of tie procession
has great popular interest, and the general in
terest elected is believed to have a beneficial
influence upon the development of the militia
Of the country.
''When the time comes for the arrival of the
troops in the city the military committee will
be divided into subcommittee of two and
three. They will meet the companies az they
arrive at the depot and escort them to the
depot No effort will be spared to extend a
hospitable welcome to the visiting militia and
10 make their stay in this city pleasant one."
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
"The committee on civic organizations" OBJ
served Mr.. NJ II. Parker, the chairman, "has
charge Of all civic bodies that will take part in
the inaugural parade. roster is kept of the
names Of all organizations that have applied
for position in line, with the number Of men
and other particulars. The committee has des-
ignated persons residing in the several states
70 represent the committee as members and
these nonresident members are expected to
furnish the committee with information rela-
tive TO the organizations from their states that
expect to visit this city. This source of in
formation, in addition to what ia obtained
through correspondence with the officers of
the various organizations, enables the commit
tee to supply complete details when called
upon-
"our committee, also. through the commit