Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-13
Review Of the Preparations for the
Event Four Years Ago.
CROWNED WITH SUCCESS

tne Un!leQ states, Win Olner CeTeHioHieS,
notable in the recent past for their mag
nificence anu sp.endor.
Formerly it was customary, when the
result of national election became known,
for the residents of Washington identified
with the political party gaining victory at
the pois to assemble and select from
among themselves committees to manage
the various features attendant upon the
Inauguration of the successful candidate.
More recently, however, the national com
mittee of the victorious party, through ITS
chairman, has designated some prominent
District citizen to take charge Of the pre-
lminaries and select associates to assist In
the work, which is always arduous and ex
tensive. The man so selected becomes
chairman OF the executive committee,
which, in turn. is composed Of the chair
men of the respective subcommittee hav
ing the various details of the celebration IN
charge.
Up to Chairman Hanna Again.
Chairman Mark A. Hanna Of the national
republican committee will have the naming
Of the chairman of the executive commit
tee for President McKinley's second in
auguration, just as he had in 1896, when
the preparations for the incumbents first
induction into his high Office were COM
menced. At the same time he will also an
nounce the name of some distinguished
man of military attachments to be the
grand marshal of the inaugural parade.
Early in December 1896, Chairman
Hanna proffered the Craftsmanship to Mr.
S. w. Woodward of the firm of Woodward
& Lothrop, who found himself compelled
to decline the honor. When this decision
was made known Chairman Hanna told
Mr.. Myron M. Parker, national committee
man from the District of Columbia, that he
must select some for the place. for
whom he Parker) would be personally re-
sponsible 1t was a responsibility easily as
sumed for Mr.. Parker Immediately named
Mr.. Charles ]. Bell. to whom Chairman
Hanna promptly rendered the place. 1t
was as promptly accepted, and Mr.. Bell
proceeded to perform its duties with
vigor that surprised even those who knew
him best.
Mr.. Bells methods, when he took up his
responsibilities, were progressive to an I'M
usual degree The writer, then as now
reporter for The Star, was with him at the
American Security and Trust Company
building Immediately after he had accepted
the appointment. Preceding chairmen had
been accustomed to tender the chairman.
ships of the various committees to other
citizens by letter, carefully preparing ana
phrasng each mssive.
Mr.. Bell however, adopted the telephone
instead of the mails. as means of com
muncation. With the instrument at his
desk he began to interrogate well-known
men all over the city, and proffers and ac-
ceptances We're exchanged SO rapidly that
before twenty-four hours had elapsed from
the time of his appointment the executive
committee, with but two or three eXcep-
tionS, was completed.
Complete Organization Reached.
Headquarters were established in the
Glover building, No. 1419 F street north
west Rules for the government of the
various subcommittee were formulated
and adopted at a meeting held December
IL, 1896, and the complete organization of
@b announced
Ii consisted of Charles j. Bel, chairman:
S. w. Woodward and Louis ID. Wine, vice
chairmen; John Joy Edison, treasurer; Fred
Bracket, corresponding secretary; Geo. H.
Walker, recording secretary, and chairmen
of the various subcommittees as follows
John w. Thompson, finance; c. f. Nor
ment. auditing; b. Fl. Warner. civic organi-
cations; Levi p. Wright. public comfort
Thomas Somerville, carriages; H. V. Boyn-
ton, press; John b. Wight, public comfort;
Edward McCauley, floor and promenade;
George B. Williams. banquet; 7. e. Roessle
ball room decorations; John C. Clancy
music; Simon Wolf, badges; Chaplin Brown
transportation: Gen. Nelson A. Miles. recep-
ton; George Gibson, invitations and tick
cts; Henry A. Willard, parks and reserva-
TONS Theodore w. Noyes, printing; Mi
chael l. Weller, street illuminatons and
fireworks: Col. Cecil Clay, military organi
cations and James E. Bell, comfort at the
ball room. Other members of the executive
committee were A. T. Britton, James G.
IL,
Charles G. Conn, John F. Cook, Henry f.
Davis, w. w. Dudley, Lawrence Gardner,
Charles c. Glover Sttlson Hutchins Milton
NJ Holland. Judge John G. Long, Crosby S.
Moves, James l.. Norris, Myron NJ. Parker,
r. Ross Perry and Beriah Wilkins.
Committees and Their Duties.
To the committee on finance was assigned
the important duty of raising funds requi-
site to meet the expenses of the ceremo-
MES Subscriptions were invited to guar
antee fund of $4,000. the understanding be-
ing that contributions should be returned In
case the sale of inaugural ball and supper
tickets, privileges, and so forth. We're suffi-
cient to meet expenses. In short time
the subscriptions which We're placed in
Treasurer Edson's hands amounted in
round numbers to S52 500. All bills were
paid by Treasurer Edison after the audit
ing committee had found they had been
properly contracted, and most admirable
system was conducted by which all these
financial agencies, worked in harmony.
Upon the committee on civic organiza-
tions devolved the responsibility of making
provision for the reception and places in
line of the inaugural parade for all civic
bodies coming to participate in the ceremo-
MES.
The business of the committee on public
comfort was to locate and keep a record OF
all available quarters, in the city for the
accommodation of strangers. whether they
wanted meals or lodging. or both together,
charged.
The carriage committee secured uni
form rate for vehicles during the celebra-
ton, and more particularly for the ball.
and drew up regulations, which were sane
toned and issued by the District Commits
sioners, governing the movement of such
vehicles.
Newspaper men who were on duty re-
porting the celebration were given facilities
for quick and pleasant work by the press
committee.
Other Energetic Agencies.
Co-operatlng with the District Commits
sioners, the committee on public order Sc
cured the necessary means to clear streets
and avenues for the formation of the pa
rade and assure it's easy movement. Zach
member of the committee was commissions
ed as a special police officer during inaugu-
ration week
Artistic bronze badges bearing portraits
Of Mckinley and Hobart, hanging by gold
colored ribbons from bars, bearing artistic
reliefs of the United States Capitol build
ing, were selected by the committee on
badges and worn by all committeeman.
These badges are still cherished me-
mentos and so are the artistic inaugural
ball Invitations and souvenirs which were
selected from a multiplicity Of designs sub
mitted to the committee on invitations and
tickets.
An elaborate program of aerial fireworks