The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-07
IN FAVOR OF ANOTHER DATE
March 4 Too Inclement for the In
stallatiOn of a President.
The Inaugural Committee Holds n
Meeting to Close Up Its AfTairs-A
Separate Hall for the BaII-A Re-
port by Chairman John JOY Edison.

mort by 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 will he 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 chairmans 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
SIGN building for the inaugural Ball, the
/ chairman represented the city's need of
Il 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 building for
the use of the municipal government or
1 1ur an drtnory.
A claim for Sl.70o made by Frank
Carver, the contractor, who constructed
the Court of Honor, was referred to
special committee composed of John Joy
Edison. Chairman; James Rush Marshall,
! L. J. Stellwagen, 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 5000, 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 s1Ss 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 E, Bell,
Chairman of the Committee on Comfort
at the ballroom
A bin for 1921 due the Pennsylvania
Railroad for the transportation of the
Annapolis Cadets-to and from the, Capital
at the Inauguration was presented for
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
a proper claim upon the committee sur
plus. The committee, having adopted a
resolution that the funds of the committee
We're 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-
lish a precedent which would emparrass
succeeding Inaugural Committees Mr.
Edison promised a contribution Of $50 to-
ward the settlement Of the claim and 9TH
er members agreed TO contribute. ga.
The total amount of the guarantee fund,
SOL so. Mr.. Edison noted as being 81 4eD 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 $4,000, 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 Pres idential reviewing stanc. during |
the parade, but stated that through the |
efforts of the Press Committee all ether
arrangements were nearly perfect.
A high tribute was paid to the work of |
Comfort Committee, who contributed
largely to the successful quartering of |
the citys visitors. Mr.. Edison referred to
the bill 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 musical demonstra-
ton most creditable to the city. The
recommendation of the Committee on
Printing, that In future the Inaugural
Programme should be prepared. s per
Committee was noted.
The chairman referred to the compli-
remarks OF The Grand Marshal
upon the police ARRANGEMENT for the |
of public order during the |
Inauguration. DR. d. Percy Hickline re-
celved due praise for the excellent Inedi-
cal and hospital arrangements provided |
at the ball. Special mention was made of
John II. L1arner's services as counsel to |
the committee. Mr.. Edison spoke of his
services as invaluable
Mr.. Edison announced that but one COM |
mittce, the Committee on Carriages had |
its appropriation. and this only |
in the sum of 81 Sc. He recited the table |
Of the appropriations of each committee |
and the actual amounts expended by each |
showing that about 81 900 had been saved |
from the appropriations. \ surplus of
about 5000, with unpaid claims chat may |
aggregate 5000 800. excepting the |
Carver claim of 81. 100. was shown over ain
other expenditures
The of the Pension building for tba
Inaugural BAH 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
iuSton. The interruption to public bust |
ncss, however. he considered entailed
great inconvenience and expense to the
Government. The erection of a suitable
building for public functions. he advanced,
was imperative, suggesting that whether
N connection with an armory or a NUM-
cipal building. steps should be taken at
lnce to provide the proper facilities Mr.
Edison had spoken of the matter 10 the
President. who had assured him of his
cooperation in securing "A proper build
ng for the purpose
The suggestion that the date of the In
iuguration be changed Mr. Edison took VI
and advocated In this matter he urged |
hat, as the question required definite pur-
bose, ii be referred to committee nation
II in character. which should consider q |
md make proper representations to Coz |
sress, to secure an amendment to the Con- |
;titution which would have the required
fleet The interest of Senators and Rep
'esentatives in the plan was assured Mr. |
Edison stated.
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