The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-31
THECAPITALCE CENTENNIAL
Committees Meet to Arrange Plans
for Its Observance.
December IL Chosen ns the Day to
Celebrate the One Hundred.h An
the Seat of Government in the Dis
trict - The Programme Outlined.

The Executive Committee of the joint
Committee on the National Capital Cea-
! tennial met yesterday afternoon in the Of
fee of Commissioner Henry B. f. Macfar-
land. at the District Building. Immedi-
ately afterward meeting of the full COM
mfttee was held at the same place, at
which the Executive Committee made its
report Commissioner Mcfarland presided
as chairman OF both meetings. The Joint
Committee is composed of committees
from the two houses OF Congress. the Dis
trict OF Columbia, and the country at large.
The Executive Committee of the Joint
Committee consists Of Senator Perkins.
W. V. Cox, Henry B. F. mcfarland. W
Dyer. of Rhode Island; Representative J.
P. Heatwole. of Minnesota: Charles ].
Bell, ]. J. Edison. T. W. Noyes, NJ. NJ.
Parker, and John B. Wight
In taking the chair at the first meeting
Mr. Mcfarland said: I'VE have met to
perfect plans for celebrating. in Deem
Der next. the centennial anniversary of the
establishment OF the seat of government
in the District OF Columbia. These plans.
in provisional form. have already been
submitted BY the Executive Committee 10
the President Of the United States. who has
signihed his approval Of them. They have
also been approved by the representatives
of Congress upon the Executive Commit
tee. They are designed TO carry out tina
general purpose Of the celebration as
adopted by the National Committee on
the recommendation of the Citizens Com
mittee. with the approval of the President
and Congress The fact that such an i'm
portant anniversary ought not to be al
lowed TO pass without celebration has been
recognized by everyone.
While there has been some disappoint-
ment because Congress, In its wisdom. did
not provide for the laying of the corner
stone OF the memorial bridge at the time
OF the celebration, it must be remem-
bered that Congress has taken steps of an
important character toward the execution
OF the Two projects recommended by the
National Committee as those which ought
to be connected with the celebration. name
ly, the enlargement of the Executive Man
sion and the improvement OF the Mall and
its park connections. Congress has au>
thorized the completion of-plans of Col.
Theodore ~ Bingham, Corps of Engineers.
United States Army. Superintendent of
Public Buildings and Grounds. for the ea-
largement of the Executive Mansion. and
has authorized Brig Gen. John NJ. Wilson.
Chief of Engineers United States Army
to prepare plan for the treatment of the
Mall and its park connections.
President Mckinley. who has shown
such a sympathetic interest in the propos-
ed celebration. has consented TO give a
morning reception on the day in December
to be selected. when he VIII receive the
Governors of States and Territories and
other members of the National Commit
tee. together with Senators and Repre-
sentatives when # is hoped that model
of the enlarged Executive Mansion, as
proposed in Colonel Bingham's plans will
be exhibited in the East Room and brief.
appropriate addresses Will be made.
THE representatives. of Congress have
planned for suitable exercises on the Of
teruoon of that day in the Senate and
House. when prominent Senators and Rep
resentatives will deliver ORATORS The
citizens committee is to arrange for
MONDAY IN. iitary and naval parade and
for an evening reception in honor OF the
visitors.
These outlines OF the proposed cele-
bration indicate that 1t will be worthy OF
the occasion in dignity and interest. Pos
terity. which would doubtless be astonish-
ed II there should be no celebration OF this
significant event will doubtless look back
to IT with the same satisfaction that will
be felt by all those who take an interest
in it now
There were present at the meeting be-
sides Commissioner Mcfarland and W. V.