Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-07
FIRST MEETING HELD
Inaugural Committee Gets
Down to Business.
ONE DAY OF CEREMONY
BALL WILL BE GIVEN SATURDAY
NIGHT-sHoRT PARADE.
No "Court of Honor''-Gen. ChaHe(
Talks-Gen. Johnston May Be
Chief of Staff.

The first meeting of the Roose-
welt inaugural committee was held
this morning at II o'clock at the
headquarters in the New Willard
Hotel. 1t was decided to hold the
ball on the evening of Saturday,
March q. Seventeen thousand dol
lars has been contributed to date
toward the inaugural fund. There
will be no "court of honor" The
parade will be short, but will in
clude the most interesting bodies of
troops in the country. B. H. War
ner will be grand marshal of the
second, or civic division.
The inaugural ball will be held the even
Ing of March 4, 1905, Notwithstanding the
fact that the next day will be Sunday, and
the festivities must cease at midnight. This
at the initial meeting Of the members of
the inaugural committee. The headquar-
ters at the New Willard were filed with
enthusiastic citizens. and nearly the en-
tire membership OF the COmmlttee was pres
emit 1t would have been impossible to get
together more representative body of
men. Generals. admirals. fnanciers, bust
ness men. capitalists and others. all promi-
nent in the affairs of the city or Of the
nation, discussed with one another the pre-
liminary plans for the coming inauguration
of Theodore Roosevelt to the highest office
In the gift of the people.
All the chairmen of the various commit
tees. who were nominated by Gen. Wilson
several days ago. were declared elected at
the meeting this morning. Mr.. Charles e..
Glover and Mr. Milton E. Allies, chairman
OF the finance committee and treasurer OF
the inaugural committee. respectively, an
nounced that they have received already
more than $4,000 in voluntary subscrip-
tons to the inaugural fund.
Mr.. b. H. Warner was named as marshal
of the second grand division, which in
cludes all organizations except the military
Gen. John A. Johnston probably will be
named chief of staff to Gen. Chaffee the
grand marshal. and last but by no means
least 1t was announced by Gen. Chaffee
that the military display will be notable
because of it's quality and not because Of
its ouantity-in other words. that he in
tends to discourage the participation OF
great numbers of troops. and will endeavor
to secure the attendance of a select few.
This. in brief. is a portion of the business
accomplished this morning.
Gen. Wilson Wins Commentator.
General Wilson presided and won the
unanimous commentator of the members
of his committee by his method Of Dispatch
Ing business. He has never divorced him.
self from his military tendencies, and he
marshals his forces, consults with his
commanders and directs his inaugural
army as If he momentarily expected an at
tack by some troublesome enemy. He oper-
ates upon the theory that he can make more
mistakes in week than he can in a day or
an hour, and so the quicker matter is
decided the better. During the session It
was suggested that the meetings Of the
committee be held in the evenings here
after, but one member stated that If General
Wilson would continue to accomplish such
a great deal in so short a while, the BUSH
ness Of the committee could be disposed Of
at very brief meetings, and that the day
sessions would be better. Consequently it
was determined to meet at II am, at the
call Of the chairman.
Aids Appointed.
Immediately after the meeting General
Harries announced that he had named Gen.
John A. Johnson as vice chairman of the
committee on military. Major James E.
Bell announced the selection of Mr.. Alexan-
der Grant to serve as vice chairman of the
committee on comfort In the ball room, and
Mr.. M. I. Weller named James F. Hood and
Henry K. Simpson as vice chairman and
secretary, respectively, of the committee on
public comfort.
Maj Sylvester will appoint subcommit-
tee on public order. to be composed OF
physicians whose duty 1t will be to see
that medical assistance is furnished when
ever and wherever needed. He probably
will request DR.. D. Percy Kicking to serve
as chairman of this committee, as that
physician served In that capacity four
years ago. and was chairman Of the medi-
cal committee during the G. A. r. encamp-
ment.
After the calling of the roll the first
business transacted was the change In
name of the executive" committee to the
Inaugural committee. 1t was declared
that fifteen members will constitute a
quorum, and that all contracts In connec-
ton with the inaugural preparations should
be signed by General Wilson as chairman
Of the inaugural committee. to be ratified
and approved by the members of the in
augural committee at its next meeting
thereafter.
members of the committee that steps
should be taken Immediately to secure the
use of the Pension Office building for the
inaugural ball. The committee on legisla-
ion. Adds B. Browne, chairman, is charg-
ID with hurrying this matter along, and
Ill the members of the committee will ex-
,rcise their influence to get the desired
permission. and to get 1t at once, as 1t is
believed that the subscriptions will increase
hree-fold when it is known positively that
he pension Office can be used.
Appropriation Increased.
An increase for the expenses OF the COM
nittee ON public order was voted. Four
ears ago $4,000 was appropriated. This
rear the sum will be $4,000. The appro-
'riation for the committee on public COM
ort also was increased. 1t Will be allowed
1000. instead of $1,000. as four years ago.
The inaugural ball created the most AMI
mated discussion. The subject was offered |
n a suggestion that as the ball would have |
o cease at midnight IL held on Saturday,
would be better to postpone 1t until Mon
ay. Reasons along this line were ad-
anced similar to those given in The Star |
but one or two members argued |
hat the ball must be given while the great |
st number Of visitors is in the city. Mr.. |
ieorge E. Hamilton representing the Balti- /
nore and Ohio railroad stated that as |
many of the strangers left town late the |
vening of the 4th. or on the morning of the |
tn of March, the attendance at the ball, II |
fven on March 9, would be smaller than
he committee hopes for.
This argument prevailed, and the men,
ers of the committee voted for Saturday |
vening. The orchestra will play Home,
weet Home" promptly at midnight, and
II dancing must cease forthwith. No OBJ
ection will be made to promenading after
he midnight hour. for, as Gen. Wilson APP
ropriately remarked. 'It will be perfectly
roper for us to go visiting on Sunday
Military Parade.
Can Chafae.s apnounnonnapt ro. ro& |