Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-31
Will Not Hurry the Matter.

Will Not Hurry the Matter.
The members of the inaugural committee
are confident that no good end will be
served by an endeavor to secure considera-
ton of the inaugural joint resolution prior
to District day. Congress will not recon-
vene until Wednesday. January 4, and
While 1t Is desired to have the formal per-
mission for the use of the pension building
granted as soon as possible, in order that
the work of preparation may be imme
dlately begun, the old of "the more
haste the less speed" might hold true in
this case. and nothing will be done to rile
ths members of the lower House
1t Is expected that consideration of the
inaugural resolution on District day will,
of course, result in half a dozen varieties
OF spirited debate, acrimonious and other
wise, but the passage of the resolution on
that day is confidently expected. But Con-
gress, before casting the vote according to
formal permission, will probably make it
very plain to the citizens of Washington
that this is 1.-The very last time that the
use of the pension office for the inaugural
ball will be authorized. When the debate
which resulted in the defeat of the amend
ed resolution was in progress the other
day several members of the House claimed
that 1.-THE very last time" racket had been
worked several times before.
Congress evidently cannot understand
why 1t is that the people of Washington
knowing full well that every four wears
the inaugural ceremonies will be held and
that a building for the inaugural ball will
OF course, be necessary, do not take the
necessary steps looking to the construction
OF suitable building, which. they believe
would be a good financial investment 1t
has been suggested that such a building
should not only contain one immense ball
room, suitable for the accommodation of
twelve or fifteen thousand persons, with
the necessary dressing rooms and supper
rooms. but should also contain a number of
smaller assembly rooms, suitable for ordi-
nary gatherings.
Convention City.
Washington is recognized as great con-
vention city, and 1T is believed that if such
a building were open for public hire
large proportion of the organizations which
meet in the national capital annually
would contribute largely to its support.
But the members of the inaugural COM
mittee are not looking quite so far into the
future at present, although they are willing
to promise almost anything in order to Sc
cure the use of the pension office-"for the
very last time"
Sufficient unto the day is the evil there
Of" was their most familiar observation
the day that the House committee on the
District of Columbia reported against the
use of the pension Office, and they haven't
quite recovered from that feeling yet.
Scheme for Decorations.
An elaborate scheme for decorating the
pension Office for the inaugural ball-pro-
vided. Of course, that the use of the pen
sion building is granted by Congress-s
being perfected by Mr.. James Rush Mar
shall and his committee. which will have
this matter in charge. The first meeting of
the committee was held yesterday after
noon at the New Willard headquarters and
Mr.. Marshall appointed two subcommittee
to proceed with the plans. The first SUBJ
committee was on the general scheme"
and the second Snhcnp,rnitfaa will he
charged with the duties affiliating with the
members of the other committees having to
do with the ball, the pension building, car
riage approaches, etc.
The committee to draft the general
scheme" will arrange a specific plan for
decoration, and then advertise for bids to
conform to the specifica tons. Four years
ago the committee asked for suggestions,
and bidders proposed widely different
schemes. This year the idea will be deter
mined by the committee.
Street Decorations.
Mr.. Fred D. Owen, chairman of the COM
mittee on street decoration, returned from
St. Louis last night and reports encourage
ing progress relative to the transfer from
the worlds fair city to Washington of the
plaster works of art, to the approximate
value of $100 600 Mr.. Owen will make a
detailed report to the inaugural committee
next Thursday.
The chairman of the committee on souve-
Mrs and tickets today stated that designs
for the ball souvenirs are being completed
and in all probability will be submitted to
the inaugural committee at its next meet
ing.
Mr.. Weller of the committee on public
comfort will have his list of hotels and
boarding houses completed within few
days, and will send a map of the city with
each schedule, showing the exact location
Of the various houses. prices. plans and all
other necessary information.
Gen. Wilson had no callers today be-
yond those who came on routine business.
Mr.. Warner chairman of the committee
on civic organizations, spent the day in
tee work.