Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-15
HOUSE IS OPPOSED
Unfavorable Report on Use of
the Pension Office
FOR INAUGURAL BALL
SUGGEST CONGRESSIONAL LIBRA
RY, BUT COMPROMISE rs POSSIBLE
Gen. Wilson and His Committee Have
Not Given Up Hope, However,
Reasons for the Action.
FOR INAUGURAL BALL

sentatives today, reported unfavor-
ably on the use of the pension office
for the inaugural ball, and recon-
mends the Congressional Libra1y y
instead. Members of the inaugural
committee, while greatly disappoint-
ed, are not discouraged, and hope
when the matter is referred to con
ference committee of the House and
Senate, the use of the pension Of
fee may be granted.
The second meeting of the inaug-
llral committee was held and re-
ports made. 1t is probable that
many of the plaster works of art
will be brought here from the Louis
lana purchase exposition, to be used
in decorating along the line OF march
on inauguration day.
The House committee on the District of
Columbia decided today to report unfavor-
ably on that provision of the joint reso-
luton providing for the use of the pension
building for the inaugural ball, and to rec
ommend that the Congressional Library be
used for the purpose instead. This action
was taken in the face of the fact that the
Senate has already passed the resolution
granting permission for the use of the
pension building, and despite the spirited
protest of members of the inaugural COM
mittee.
Hearing Today.
The decision of the committee was reach
ed after hearing on the subject which
lasted from half-past 10 o'clock until noon.
1t was evident from the very beginning of
the hearing that the members of the COM
mittee, under the leadership Of Chairman
Rabcock, were opnosed to the use Of the
pension Office for the inaugural festivities.
1t is known that the Senate is just as un-
alterably opposed to the use of the library.
The members of the inaugural committee
were grievously disappointed a result of
the committees action and much dissatis-
faction was expressed, but they hope that
when the question is referred to a con-
ference committee of the House and Senate
the use of the pension office will be grant,
ed
Mr. Brownies Statement
Chairman Babcock presided at the
hearing this morning. Those present, In
addition to members of the committee,
were Adds B. Browne, chairman of the
augural committee; H. H. Darneille, the
District assessor; Mr.. B. H. Warner Mr.
c. c. Glover, chairman of the subcommit-
tee on finance; James L. Norris, Gen. Geo.
II. Harries Bernard H. Green Superin-
tendent of the library building; Louis
Coolidge, a member of the inaugural COM
mittee; President Dunlop of the Capital
Traction Company and James Rush Mar
shall. chairman of the subcommittee on
decoration.
Chairman Babcock, in calling the COM
mittee to order, said that as the time was
limited it would be well for one of the
inaugural committee to present the en-
tire case. Mr.. Browne, chairman. of the
subcommittee on legislation, announced
that he had been selected by Gen. John NJ.
Wilson, chairman of the inaugural COM
mittee, to speak in the latters behalf.
Gen. Wilson, Mr.. Browne said, regretted
exceedingly his inability to be present at
this mornings hearing, but had called a
meeting of the inaugural committee prior
to the date of the hearing before the
Congress committee, today having been
fixed.
Mr.. Browne began his expression of the
views of the inaugural committee with the
statement that General Wilson had been
personally selected by the President to
take charge of the ceremonies incident
upon his induction into Office and that he
would safeguard the interests of the gov
ernment and of the citizens of Washing
ton in carrying out the work Of prepara-
Wilson, Mr. Browne pointed out, was en-
tirely non-partisan, being composed of an
admiral of the navy, a general OF the
army and citizens of Washington from the
highest walks of life. There was none and
there could not possibly be anything of the
spirit of commercialism in the committees s
actions, Mr.. Browne said, their sole idea
being to make the quadrennial event just
what it should be-the most grand and
most imposing function possible.
With reference to the Senate resolution
passed the other day granting the use of
the pension office for the inaugural ball
and concerts giving permission to the in
augural committee to use the public parks,
streets and avenues for and according per-
mission for the stringing of wires and for
many other purposes, Mr.. Browne said it
was practically duplicate of the resolu-
ton passed for the same purpose four
years ago, except that one two minor
amendments suggested by the Secretary of
War and by the District Commissioners
had been embodied in 1t. Temporarily, he
said he would pass over section of the
resolution granting permission for the use
of the pension Office, and take up the other
sections.
Section 9 he said was Identical with the
same section in the last resolution, except
that provision had been inserted at the
suggestion of the Secretary of War to COM
pei the inaugural committee to indemnify
the War Department for any damages in
fiicted upon public parks or reservations
by stands or other structures. In section g.
providing for the illumination arrange
ments. including the stretching Of wires,
there was no change. Section increased
the appropriation to be expended by the
District Commissioners in the maintenance
of public order to $4,000 with addi-
tional 1900 for the erection OF public COM
fort stations throughout the downtown sec
ton of the city. In section 5, authorizing
the War and Navy Departments to loan
flags and bunting for decorative purposes,
there was no change over the resolution of
four years ago, and section 8 was also iden-
teal with 1t.
Referring again to section 1, granting
authority to the inaugural committee for
the use of the pension Office, Mr.. Browne
said that he anticipated no objection on
any of the other sections. and that this
first article was the crux OF the whole reso-
luton.
He pointed out that owing to the provision
In the Legislative act Of April %. 1902. pro-
hibiting the use of the pension building for
the inaugural ball without the express per-
mission OF Congress, 1t had been necessary
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