Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-23
WORK OF COMMITTEE
Much Accomplished by In
augural Body.
SPIRIT OF PROGRESS
LITTLE CESSATION OF LABORS
DURING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.
Arguments as to Policy Not Infrequent
Experience of Former In
augural Exercises.
SPIRIT OF PROGRESS

The Roosevelt inaugural committee is just
three weeks old. and has accomplished more
than ever has been accomplished before in
the same length of time by other inaugural
committees. General Wilson said today that
there would be little cessation in work
during the holidays. and that if possible he
would maintain the lead he has gained on
his predecessors. He believes, in common
with every other officer of the committee,
and most all the members, that this Is to
be no ordinary inaugural, and that the
work Of preparation must necessarily be
greater.
The spirit of progressiveness on the part
of the chairmen of the several minor COM
mittees Is really remarkable. Arguments
as to policy are not infrequent between
prominent members of the committee, but
General Wilson usually settles everything
by assuring his co-workers that this inau-
guration is not to be planned on former
inaugurals, and that what was done four
or eight years ago has no bearing on what
Is to be done this time. OF course. he Is not
overlooking the experience gained by his
helpers who have served as chairmen OF
former committees and minor committees,
but to this experience he Is adding his own
initiative and his ability for hard work.
Garfield inaugurations were more or less
routine. Plans were followed year after
year, with only slight alterations. but since
Mr.. Garfield was indicted into Office there
has been a widening and broadening OF
ideas, until today the possibilities. and, in
fact. the probabilities are almost unlim-
tied Today the basic thought Is not to fol-
low in the channels established in former
years. but to depart as far practicable
from those channels.
Instance of Policy.
An instance of this policy is evident in
the work mapped out by Fred. d. Owen,
chairman of the committee on street deco
rations. The work of this committee will
be the feature of the exercises, If Mr.
Owen can accomplish what he is now work
ing for that is, bringing to Washington
not less than 100000 worth of plaster works
OF art which attracted so much attention
at the Louisiana exposition. These will be
displayed along Pennsylvania avenue, con-
forming to wonderful decorative scheme
which is as yet to be evolved by the COM
mittee which Mr.. Owen will gather about
him.
He anticipates the cooperation of artists.
sculptors, architects and designers from ali
parts of the country He wants their ideas
ana their moral support, which is bound to
add UNNECESSARILY to the general. attrac-
tiveness of the capital city during the
inaugural ceremonies.
Mr.. John B. Larner chairman of the
committee on parks and reviewing stands.
Is very busy thinking up something new
The much admired court of honor of the
last inaugural was suggested by his COM
mlttee. This year he intends to recon-
mend something radically different, and
says he hopes to be able to keep the avenue
clear of stands and constructions of all
kinds between 18th street and 18th street.
The first meeting of this committee will be
held late this afternoon at the Washington
Stock Exchange.
General Chaffee has also demonstrated
that he is not going to be guided by what
was done four years ago AS grand mar
shall he opposes the appearance In the
parade of more than one brigade Of troops
from each of the several states. He thinks
this will be representative. without being
tiresome to the spectators.
Positions in Parade.
Applications for positions In the inaugural
parade continue to be received by Mr. B. H.
Warner. chairman of the committee on
civic organizations. and no doubt will con-
t.nue to do SO until the middle of Febru-
airy. when Mr.. Warner promises to have
the personnel of the pageant complete
Several states have declared their inten-
ton to have troops here on the 4th of
March. and so far only two positive declina-
tons have been received. Senators Nc
Cumber and Kittredge of North and South
t.
Warner that because of the great distance
to be Travelled their states will not be rep
resented Some representative individuals
Will be here. but no organiza tions either
civic or military.
The Buckeye Republican Club Of Column
bus. Ohio through its president, w. c. Ken
nedy. has applied for position in the line
for about 800 men and a band of twenty
five pieces. uniformed with olive drab New
market overcoats and black silk hats The
organization has procured quarters in the
Lawrence Hotel. and will be in command
OF III w. Krumm.
The Union County Republican Club Of
New Jersey want a place for about 200
men and band. The club is twenty years
old and thinks it should be shown some
preference for this reason. Hamilton +.
kean will be in charge
The Hamilton Republican Club of New
York city will be here with 100 men, under
the leadership of James G. McMurray
Much interest, however. centers in the ap-
plication received today at headquarters
from the brotherhood of Old-time Fid-
dlers," composed of six gentlemen from
Tennessee, all over six feet in height, and
each an expert fiddler of the old school
They claim that their violins or "fiddles,"
as they prefer to call them, are more than
300 years old. and have increased in sweet
respective lives. They will march with
company front, and will play their own
marching music.
Governor Montague Of Virginia is credited
with the statement that the state will make
no appropriation for the expenses of send
ing troops to Washington for the inaugural
and that whatever troops do come will
have to pay their own bills, or get some
body else to do 1T other than the state. AS
Virginia is a neXt-door neighbOr of the Dis
trict of Columbia, there is every reason to
believe that some of her military and civic
organizations will be in the line. the position