Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-16
A Public Building for the Ball.

The favorable report on the bill embracing
the various items incidental to the prepara-
lions for tho inauguration of the President
ordered yesterday by the House District
committee, considered in connection with
the favorable action already taken by the
Senate, virtually ensures that one of the
government buildings will be designated by
Congress as the place for holding the inau-
gural ball The Senate has voted for the
use of the pension building, as in past years,
while the House committee has recon-
mended an amendment substituting the LII
brary of Congress Meanwhile sentiment
is said to obtain with certain members Of
the House in favor of the use of the Capitol
building itself.
There Is no sign visible of any other dis
position than to grant the use of one of
the public buildings. nor is there any indi-
cation of tendency to delay the enact
ment. This is gratifying to the citizens Of
the District, who are anxious to proceed at
once with the complex and time-consuming
preparations with full knowledge of the
exact conditions.
Arguments are to be adduced both in
favor of and against all three of the build
ings which have been proposed. Eight
years ago. when the Library Of Congress
ton, it was proposed that the ball-recep-
tion should be held there. but even then the
decision was reached to use the pension Of
flee again. although there would have been
a minimum of damage and loss to the gov
eminent and inconvenience to the public
The Library was again considered In 1901,
although 1t was then In full use, but the
pension office was once more chosen. In
fact, whatever may be the objections now
raised against it's further use for this pur-
pose the pension building was in large
measure constructed with it's suitability for
these quadrennial events in the mind of the
architect, and was planned, with it's vast
court in order that 1t might be utilized to
the best advantage for large assemblages.
| 1t Is not to be questioned that the choice
by Congress of the pension building would
greatly simplify the situation. in view of the
experience the committees of citizens have
had In its preparation for these events
But the decision is entirely with the houses,
and If that decision is to give the use of
any other building-even the Capitol, to
add to the glory of the occasion-it Is as
sured that no action will be taken to result
In shabby inaugural lacking in any of
Its essential details. There is thus far evil
dent no disposition on the part of the demo-
Gratis to throw stones at the project and
there is every reason to expect the repubu-
cans, who are in control of both houses. to
DO everything to facilitate the plans for
making the inauguration of Theodore Roose-
Welt as notable and memorable as that of
any of his predecessors
Congress viii adjourn for the HOLIDAYS
next Wednesday. There is time before that
day for the passage of the bill by the House
and the adjustment in conference of the diff
ferences, should any exist in the bill when
thus passed, With several buildings to
choose from. any one of which would be
the advantage of one
over another-there is no reason to doubt
'he satisfactory outcome. The worst that
could happen would be postponement un
I'll after the reassembling of Congress now,
'hat the principle of the use of a govern
ineht building is practically established in
the legislation.