Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-01-01
ROESSLE'S REASONS
Why the Chairman on Ball Room
Decorations is Critical.
an INTERVIEW ON TIE SUBJECT
Executive Committeeman Some
what Surprised Over the Matter.
I n A q g e r A TIE S

New Year interest In the inauguration
preparations was conferred today in the an
| nouncement that Chairman Theodore f.
Roessle of the committee on decorations of
| the ball room was very much dissatisfied
with the amount of money said to have
been apportioned to his committee. 1t was
declared in an article in morning paper
| that Mr.. Roesse had stated that the
| amount in question, $500. was not suffi
GENTLY large to permit a proper decoration
| of the ball room, and that 1t would require
at least So, 900 Or s13. 900 to make a show
| ing comparable to that made at former
balls.
Mr.. Roessle's complaint, made public in so
b1 DAD manner. naturally attracted great
deal of attention and among the other
members Of the executive committee not a
little surprise. None of the officials in
charge of the inaugural ceremonies was
present at headquarters this morning, but
| they met one another and the general senti-
n'ent was that Mr.. Roessle had been rather
indiscreet in criticising an action which had
not yet been formally taken.
Former Plea for Economy.
1t is true that at the executive meeting
last Saturday night list of the amounts
of money that would be probably appor-
tened to the various committees was read
but no definite decision was reached on the
subject Members of the executive COM
mittee also remembered that at one of the
meetings Mr.. Roessle made a very ardent
appeal for economy in the expenditures
connected with the approaching ceremonies
calling attention to the prevalence of hard
times, the scarcity of ready money among
tne people Who would patronize the bal
a anu Gaining on some of the other prominent
BUSINESS men present for testimony in sur
pert or his argument. A Star reporter
called on Mr.. Roessle at the Arlington this
n.orning and asked him about his position
IN relation to the question of the exnensa
oi decorating the ball ROOM
Mr.. ROessIe's Position St.taa
Mr.. Roessle said that he did not desire to
De placed in an embarrassing position as
chairman of the decorations committee
IL was the habit of people. he stated. to
compare such events as an inaugural Il, II
with similar ones preceding 1t, and if there
was any retrogression evident in the ar
engagements there was sure to be criticism
or those having them in charge He said
mat the decorations and the illumination of
tne Dail room four years ago cost over
sl2'Uo. 1t was he believed, the intention
OF the present executive COMMITTEES tn in
clude in the duties of the committee on
the decoration of the ball room that of pro-
Vlding both for the decoration and the il
iuininatlon. Consequently, he thought
that at least much money should he
devoted to this purpose in March next as
was given to it four years ago. if it was
desired to make showing anything as
good.
Enectfvenesa at Stake.
He felt perfectly sure that with the same
pecuniary advantages as those enjoyed by
the committee preceding the present one
equally as effective dec orations could
De provided. The COMMITTEES. too, would
have the advantage of the experience Of
md
some of the details Upon the former work
But with smaller amount, such as $7!UO
1t would be absolutely impossible TO even
approach the results CT four wears ago
and he naturally felt that not only himself
as chairman, but the entire committee,
would be placed in rather false position
when comparisons were made.
Mr.. Roessle further said that he had COM
municate1 with decorators and florists
and electricians and that their lowest esti-
! mates. taken together would require at
least $120
The whole question will come up before
the executive committee at its meeting to-
morrow night.
Gen. POrter's First Order.
The first official order of Gen. Horace
| Porter grand marshal of the parade
| was received at headquarters yesterday.
| 1t announces the appointments, already an
| nounced in The Evening Star, of Mr. A.
Noel Brakeman as chief of staff. Col. H. c.
Corbin as adjutant general and Mr.. Brain
ard H. Warner as chief marshal of the
second grand division, composed of the
civic organizations. He also announces the
additional appointments Of Capt. John A.
Johnson United States army, as chief of
aids. and Gen. Grenville M. Dodge chief
| marshal of the first grand division, to be
composed of military organizations. Gen.
Porter requests all organizations intend
| ing to take part in the parade to give early
notice of such intention.
An Executive Committee,
There was a largely attended meeting
| Of the committee on civic organizations
yesterday afternoon, over which Chairman
| B. H. Warner presided, with MIR. George
| c. Lewis as secretary. Chairman Warner
addressed the members present upon the
duties which would be expected of them
and at his suggestion an executive COM
| mittee of the committee was chosen, con-
| sistng of Messrs. William Dickson, chair
| man; John r. Garrison, Dorsey Claggett,
Geo. c, Maynard. John B. Larner, w. A.
Rogers John A. Swope, John r. Carmody
Chas. c. Simons and Cluskey Cromwell.
1t was announced that at the next meet
| ing of the committee subcommittee would
| be appointed whose duty it will be to meet
| each civic organization when it reaches
Washington, direct them to the quarters
| assigned to them, see that they take their
proper positions in the line of the inaugural
parade and are Well treated while in Wash
ington. 1t was also decided that the men,
bers of all civic organizations taking part
| in the parade would be required to wear
some distinctive uniform or article Of APP
pareL A varied assortment of hats, for in
| stance, in body would not be permitted
1t was also decided that no club Of less
| than fifty members should be allowed a
place in line
The subcommittee on parks and reserva-
tons having in charge the matter of the
erection OF stands on the public reserva-
items held meeting late yesterday after
noon, and will report at a meeting Of the
whole committee to be held tomorrow.
Important Meetings Tomorrow.
The committee on invitations and tickets
| will hold meeting tomorrow night, pre-
vious to the meeting Of the executive COM
mittee. at which it Is expected that the
| final consideration Of the designs for the
tickets and invitations will be reached. and
| report Immediately made to the exc u
tive committee. The meeting of the latter
committee tomorrow night will be an i'm
portant one. and q number Of plans which
have been under consideration for the past
week or two will be permanently disposed
of, either favorable or otherwise The uues-
| ton will be settled AZ To tho concerfsR IN