Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-15
THE GOVERNMENTS SHARE
COST OF USING PENSION COURT FOR
INAUGURAL BALL.
Clerks Will Enjoy . Holiday - Plans
for Caring for Files and
Documents.

It will cost the government $2oVVo III
salaries alone to hold the inaugural ball at
the pension Office. Fully $4,000 In fnciden-
tai expenses may be added to this On
February u the commissioner OF pensions
will turn over the building to the inaugural
officials, and 1t will not be until the morn
ing Of the 7th Of March that the clerks will
return to their desks. 1t will be several
days after that before the big machinery Of
the bureau will be running smoothly. To
make room for the dancers it will be nee
essary to move 100000 pension cases
room is being constructed under the ban
quet hall to accommodate these. They will
be moved with the greatest care by expert
enced men. under the direction of several
bureau chiefs, IN order that no CONFUSION
can occur in the arrangement of the cases.
All the desks and important files on the
first floor will be moved to the basement,
and those on the second or executive Hoor
will go one story higher. The use of the
pension Office for the inaugural bill is well
coined by the clerks. 1t means holiday for
them from the 9th of February to the 1th
of March. and is not charged against either
their sick or annual leave.
The building is fast assuming an 1nau-
gural aspect The inside has been painted
and the numerous pillars are being gilded.
This is to give 1t a gold standard appear
ance, as one OF the painters facetiously re-
covered entrances, which lead from the
street to the building are being constructed.
one of then-the one leading from 9Th street
being nearly finished. On the south front
the big banquet room is nearly completed.
1t will be a monster room, capable of ac-
commodating 900 people. Underneath the
dining room a special room is being pro-
vided for the accommodation of the files.
There will be pension office officials on
duty during the time the building is being
used. their business being to look after the
files and important papers
A Discussion by Clerks.
Many think this is the last time the pen
sion office will be used for the inaugural
ball. The preparation for the big event en-
so much expense that it is said the govern
ment will not permit it's use again. Two
clerks Of the pension office were discussing
the situation today as a reporter of The
Star went through. One of them said:
'Of course I'm glad the ball is going to
ten days holiday, but it will cost the gov
eminent nearly $50 600, and really do not
believe in such extravaganza"
Extravaganza, indeed!' replied the
other. you only look on one side the
ledger. How about what the government
saves In pensions during that time. Figure
that out and strike balance, and I venture
the government will not be found to be
much the gamer
II never thought of that" rejoined the
other, warming up and displaying his G. A.
r. badge. Its a shame then to keep the
old soldiers from getting their pensions
promptly. l am going to bring this matter
to the attention of my post, and I bet you
things will be different four years hence"
With that the veteran stunped away
shaking his head, not exactly certain whet h.
er he would rather have the holiday or
the pensions for his comrades