The times., 1901-04-07
IN FAVOR OF ANOTHER DATE
March 4 Too Inclement for the In
stallation of President.
The inaugural Committee Holds n
Meeting to Close Up Its Ahairs-A
Separate Hall for the BaII-A Re
mort NV Chairman John JOY Edison.

The affairs of the Inaugural Committee
were not finally completed at the meeting
held last night at the Arlington Hotel, as
anticipated, and another meeting of the
/ committee viii be necessary to consider
what disposition will be made of the sur
/ plus which will remain after all debts
of the committee are paid. The reading
of the chairman's report and the con
sideration of unsettled accounts was the
only business considered.
Mr.. Edison. in his report, had several in
teresting recommendations to present He
urged the change Of the date of Inaugural
ton to some more suitable period, and
suggested that a committee of national
scope take the subject under considera-
ton, to present it for Congressional
action.
In connection with the use of the Pen
sion building for the inaugural Ball the
chairman represented the city's need Of
a place where similar functions could be
! held without disturbing the public bust
ness. Presidential support would be
given, Mr.. Edison believes. TO a project
to provide such a place in connection
with the construction of a building for
the use of the municipal government or
. for an armory.
Carver, the contractor, who constructed
the Court of Honor, was referred to a
special committee composed of John JOY
Edson, Chairman; James Rush Marshall,
L. ]. SteIlwagen, Henry L. Davis, and
Rudolph Kaufman. Mr.. Carver claims
that the cost of construction exceeded the
amount of his contract by the amount
claimed.
The amount of $1,000 due Contractor
Parsons, who constructed the four review
ing stands within the Court of Honor,
was ordered paid. In view of the claim
of the Government to be reimbursed for
the damage by fire. in the Presidential
stand. TO Government property, this
amount was withheld, pending the con-
sideration of the Inaugural Committee
An appropriation of S139 was made from
the surplus to pay employees of. the Pen
sion Bureau for overtime services rem
dered to the Inaugural Committee on the
recommendation of Major James L. Bell,
Chairman of the Committee on Comfort
at the ballroom.
bin for s42f due the PENNSYLVANIA
i Railroad for the transportation of the
Annapolis Cadets TO and from the Capital
at the Inauguration was presented for
consideration. General Greene. Grand
Marshal of the Inaugural parade, in view
OF the fact that no national funds were
available for the purpose, had guaran-
teed the payment of transportation and
submitted the bill through Mr. Edison as
proper claim upon the committee sur
plus. The committee, having adopted
resolution that the funds of the committee
were not available for the payment of the
expenses of any organization, were con
strained TO refuse payment of the claim
The action of the committee in refusing
to pay the claim out of Inaugural funds
was largely taken. in order not TO estab-
Iish a precedent which would embarrass
succeeding Inaugural Committees Mr.
Edison promised contribution Of $50 to-
ward the settlement of the claim and 9TH
er members agreed to contribute s
I he total amount of the guarantee fund,
$3.50. Mr. Edison noted as being 81 $50 in
excess Of any preceding inaugural guar
antee fund. Through the efforts of the
Committee on Transportation. the best
rates ever obtained had been secured for
this inauguration. The parking of cars,
Mr.. Edison continued, had been prevented
by the railroads for the first time, but
had not materially affected the attendance
on the occasion. To Mr. Larner, Chairman
OF the Committee on Parks and Reviewing
Stands, and to the members of his COM
niittee, Mr.. Edison paid a high tribute
for the conduct of the affairs pertaining |
TO its duties. Nearly 81 900, he stated, had !
been the amount of profit secured by the !
committee. from the erection and main |
tenance of sta-ds and from the sale OF !
privileges
Mr. Edison commented upon the made !
quate facilities provided for the press in |
the Presidential reviewing stanC. during 1
the parade, but stated that through the !
efforts of the Press Committee all other
We're nearly perfect.
A high tribute paid TO the work of !
NJ l. Weller, Chairman Of the Public 1
Comfort Committee who contributed /
largely TO the successful quartering OF |
the citys visitors. Mr.. Edison referred TO
the bin presented to Congress asking for
an appropriation for the illumination of /
the public buildings. upon which Congress
failed to act. Mr Edison expressed his
opinion that the expense was one which |
Congress should have been properly
charged with, and which it should have
The final choral promenade concert. Mr..
Edison considered a musical demonstra-
tion most creditable to the city. The |
Printing, that IN future the Inaugural
Programme should be prepared. super
Vised, and conducted by the Printing
Committee was noted.
The chairman referred to the cornDU-
mentary remarks OF the Grand Marshall
upon the police arrangement for the
Of public order during the
Inauguration. DIR. d. Percy Hicklfng re-
celved due praise for the excellent medi-
cal and hospital arrangements provided |
at the bah. Special mention was made of
John r. LarnerS S services as counsel to |
the committee Mr.. Edison spoke Of his
services as invaluable.
Mr.. Edison announced that but one com
Inittce, the Committee on Carriages. had
exceeded its appropriation, and this only
IN the sum Of Sl.S6. He recited the table
OF the appropriations OF each committee |
and the actual amounts expended by each
showing that about 1900 had been saved |
from the appropriations. \ surplus of !
about 5000, with unpaid claims chat may !
aggregate 5000 or $foJ. excepting the
Carver claim of 81 700 was shown over an |
other expenditures.
The use Of the Pension building for the
Inaugural Ball was then taken uD Mr. !
Edison expressed his belief that the Pen |
sion building was better adapted for the |
purpose than any other building in Wash |
lnSton, Ihe interruption to public bust !
ness, however. he considered entafled |
great Inconvenience and expense to the |
Government The erection of a suitable |
building for public functions he advanced |
was imperative suggesting that whether
In connection with an arfnory or a muni-
cipal building. steps should be taken al
once 10 provide the proper facilities Mr. |
Edison had spoken of the matter TO the !
President. who had assured him of his
cooperation IN securing proper build
ing for the purpose.
The suggestion that the date Of the In
8uguration be changed Mr. Edison took up |
and advocated. In this matter he urged
that, as the question required definite pur-
pose. it be referred to a committee nation
al in character. which should consider II
and make proper representa- tions to Con-
gress, to secure an amendment 20 the Con-
stitution which would have the required
effect. The interest of Senators and Rep
resentaiyes In the plan was assured, Mr..
Nr T6son's renorf concluded with the