The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-01


The National Capital Centennial Citi-
zens Committee, at a meeting held yes
| terday afternoon at headquarters, took I'M
/ der consideration the matter OF compiling
| the list of persons to whom invitations to
| the Centennial ceremonies at the White
| House are to be sent. On account Of the
| limited size OF the East Room. In which
| Der of invitations will be limited to be-
| tween 900 and 400. The committee finds
| it no easy task to select the names of those
| who. by reason Of their public and social
| positions are most entitled to invitations.
The matter Of invitations to the exer-
| cises at the Capitol was also considered at
| this meeting. On account OF the large seat
! ing capacity of the House OF Representa-
! tives, where the ceremonies will be held
| the selection of names for invitations
| was less OF problem.
Reports were received from nearly ell Of
/, the committees. Chairman Macfarland
reported several matters from the Execu-
| tive Committee, among them being the
{! acceptance by Gov. Leslie NJ. Shaw,
| of Iowa, Of the invitation to speak at the
Executive Mansion On the development of
| tho States; and the illness of Ex-Governor
| Wolcott of Massachusetts. representative
| of that State on the Committee from the
Country at Large, chosen to speak at tbs
! Executive Mansion on the development of
the nation. 1t was hoped, Mr.. mcfarland
said, that Governor Wolcott will recover
l.. ,-l,- l. NHa
gramme.
C. ]. Bell reported as Chairman of the
Committee on Reception that a sub-com-
mittee. composed OF Admiral Stewart, A.
A. Wilson, and himself. had called on the
President to invite him on behalf of the
Centennial Committee to be present at
the reception in honor of the Governors
of the States and Territories at the Cor
coran Art Gallery. The President had
promised to attend. Mr.. Bell reported
the division of his committee into four
subcommittee. as follows: Executive
Committee. Floor Committee, Committee
at Large, and Receiving Committee. He
also stated that the invitations to the re-
ception had been engraved and printed at
the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and
delivered to the Committee. Mr.. Bell
said that it was his idea to subdlvide his
Receiving Committee so that one-half
s to 9 O'Clock and the other in charge
during the hour between and 10 O'Clock,
this being thought advisable in view OF
the large number of persons who will
doubtless attend
The matter OF finance was considered
somewhat at length by the committee and
it deemed advisable TO make furth-
er public appeal for additional subscrip-
tons in view OF the elaboration of the
programme which was being made. This
especially refers to the expenses of pre-
pairing invitations and the official pro-
gramme, which are to be of nature
which, while expensive. is demanded by
the Importance and dignity of the cele-
bration, together with the special illurI-
nations to be made and the large number
of carriages which will have to be provid-
ed for the Governors, officials. and invit-
ed guests. The committee is confident.
however, that the further funds which
are now found to be required will be
Forthcoming and have no doubts as to
those contributing to the success of the
occasion being entirely satisfied with the
features OF the celebration as they will be
carried out.
X. Ross Perry. Chairman Of the Commit
tee on Exercises at the Capitol. told the
committee of the conference. which had
been held with Speaker Henderson by
Chairman mcfarland, Secretary Cox,
Chaplin Brown. and himself, relative 20 the
arrangements for the exercises at the
Capitol, and legislation for the same. He
also told of conference which had been
later held with Representative Cannon,
Chairman of the House Select Committee
on the Centennial. 1t appeared from
these conferences that the Congressional
representatives will give the matter their !
prompt attention and will carefully look
after the action to be taken by Congress
bearing on the Centennial.
At the request of Mr.. Perry. Chaplin
Brown. Chairman of the Committee on
Legislation. reported the various sugges-
tions which had been made by Speaker
Henderson and Mr.. Cannon, relative to the
nature of the resolution to be introduced
in the Senate and House. authorizing the
joint exercises inviting the different Off
Gals and dignitaries to attend the same.
making the day public holiday and
thorizing the use of Government flags and
bunting for the decoration OF the Capitol
building and the reviewing stand. Mr..
Brown read the resolution embodying
these suggestions, and after general dis
cussion and further revision of the resou-
ton he was requested to have another
conference with the Congressional com
mittees Chairman mcfarland hopes to
arrange with Senator FRYE. President pro
tempOre of the Senate. and Senator Hale,
Chairman OF the Senate Select Committee
on the Centennial. for conference with
them today on matters relating to the
exercises at the Capitol.
At Mr.. Perry's request, J. B. Larner.
Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Stands, made a report and submitted a
design for the stand to be erected on the I
steps at the east front of the Capitol, |
from which the President will review the |
parade. This plan provided for small |
covered stand of a very artistic design. |
The purpose of the stand is altogether |
FOR use in reviewing the parade, and this |
will occupy comparatively sho.. time. |
Unlike other celebrations of this nature |
at the Capitol, the principal feature will