Evening star., 1896-12-11
Busy Times at the Inaugural Com
mittee Headquarters.
Vice CHAIRMEN BEING CHOSEN
Embarrassment Over the Selection
of a Ball Room.
CHAIRMAN HANNA 'sPosITION

pOfary headquarters In the American Sc
curity and Trust Company building pro-
gressed at the same lively rate today that
has characterized it ever since Chairman
Bell put the machinery in working order,
and we'll organized system was apparent
In the conduct Of affairs.
Mr.. w. Scott Towers, who was the book
keeper of the inaugural committee of 1888,
was in consultation with Chairman Bell
and Secretary Brackett for some time The
ooks and vouchers of the 'SS committee
were gone over and Mr. Towers expla ned
the system which governed them and
which worked with such admirable SIM
plicity to the fullest.
Gen. George B. Williams called on Chair
man Bell this morning and accepted the
Craftsmanship Of the committee on banquet
Among Chairman Bells visitors this
morning was l.. G. Bailey, who presented
the names of some representative colored
citizens for places on the inaugural COM
mittees.
Vice Chafrmen of Committees.
Mr.. George H. Harries was today appoint
ed vice chairman of the committee on pub
lie order, aid Mr.. Thomas C. Noyes, vice
chairman of the committee on civic organi-
zatiors.
Chairman Bell expects to be able to take
possession of the apartments secured in
the Glover building next Monday, where
the anairs of the inaugural committee will
be thereafter conducted. General Porter
will also move into his rooms next week
Inc furniture for the latter apartments
was in use at the national republican COM
m1ttee quarters in New York and is now
In shipment to this city.
Ihe Americus Republican Club of Pitts
Durg or which President-elect Mckinley
mas been member since 1885, and which
acted as the escort to the chief marshal of
the civic division of the inaugural parade
eight year: ago. has notified the commit
tee or Its Intention to participate In the
procession next March and requested that
IT be accorded the same honor again. The
request will be referred to Gen. Porter.
A Perplexing Question.
The question of where to hold the inaugu-
raj Dali promises to be a perplexing and
embarrassing one to the inaugural commit
tee While 1t is unquestioned that a very
large majority of the body is in hearty IA
vor of holding the ball in the pension build
ing, whose adaptation for the purpose is
perfect, the fact that Chairman Hanna has
virtually made the selection of the new
Congressional Library a personal matter to
himself causes hesitation on the part of the
committee. II is naturally felt that every
possible recognition should be given to
Chairman Hanna's wishes in all matters
connected with the approaching inaugura-
ton ceremonies. and this sentiment places
to make in an unpleasant predicament
While they are opposed to utilizing the IL
orary building on account of its notorious
lack of proper facilities for accommodating
ball OF such proportions as that of March
will be, they are confronted by Chairman
Hanna's persistency, which is unyielding
1t is a well-known fact that Mr.. Hanna is
very hard to move when his heart is set
on cherished object, and in the present
instance he seems to be entirely opposed to
listening to argument.
Diplomats Opinion.
The appropriateness of the pension office
for the purpose Is universally admitted,
and it is generally declared that the i'm
mense court presents a better opportunity
for the presentation of a grand spectacle
like an inaugural ball than any other room
In the world This may sound like exag
geration. but no less an authority than M
Roustan, the former French minister, told
Col. James G. Berret, who was chairman
of the inaugural committee four years ago,
that no structure in the old world pre-
sented such advantages for the purposes
of gatherings such as grand balls, corona
tions or similar functions of immense pro-
portions than the pension Office court.
There may be compromise and the new
city post office may be chosen, but it is
probable that the matter will not be i'm
mediately settled.
Important Executive Meeting.
The meeting of the executive committee,
which will be held tomorrow night at 73O
o'clock at the American Security and Trust
Company building, will be an important
one. The chairmen of the various commit
tees will announce the names of the MEM
bers they have selected, and there will be a
general discussion of the plans to be fol-
lowed in order to make the coming in
auguration ceremonies the most perfect on