Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-19
NOW IN THE HOUSE
Inaugural Ball Question
Brought. Up.
REPORT SUBMITTED
REPRESENTATIVES, PRIMED TO
GO ON RECORD.
Bill to incorporate Red Cross Passed
Hazing at Annapolis Discussed
Short Senate Session.
REPORT SUBMITTED

Representative Morrell Of Pennsylvania.
member of the District of Columbia COM
mittee, late this afternoon brought up in the
House the joint resolution providing that
the inaugural ball be held in the pension
office. together with the report of the Dis
trict Of Columbia committee recommending
that the ball be held in the Congressional
Library building. and an amendment that
1t be held in the United States Capitol
building.
1t was evident from the Introduction Of
| the resolution that number Of Representa-
tives had primed themselves to go on record
in regard to it, and there was immediate de-
mand for a second.
Representative Morrell of Pennsylvania,
the author Of the amendment naming the
United States Capitol as the place for
holding the ball, made an earnest speech in
support of his view. He insisted that in
view OF the possible danger from fire and
so forth at the pension Office this building
should not be used. He also quoted the
recommendation Of the Secretary Of the
Interior to this effect.
In discussing the question Of using the
Library of Congress- Mr.. Morrell quoted
from the testimony before the District of
Columbia committee of Bernard r. Green,
superintendent Of the building. who said
that the library had practically only one
exit and entrance and that most of the
crowd must Of necessity be accommoda ted
on the second floor, and that on the gen.
eral score Of comfort and convenience 1t
was not proper place for holding the ball.
Mr.. Morrell said, however, that the Cap
itol building was the ideal place. The eff
| ficient police force, the f1reproof character
of the building, the halls and corridors and
the very nature and uses of the building
itself made 1t the proper place for holding
such ceremony.
John Sharp Williams MISSY offered an
amendment providing that the District in
augural committee must give bond n
sum to be fixed by the Secretary of War
to pledge the restoration of all public
spaces and parks and government property
used during the inaugural ceremonies.
Mr.. Williams put himself on record as
opposed to the general principle Of using
public building for a private ceremony
of the nature Of the inaugural ball, but
said it had been done for a good many
years and he would not oppose 1t now. He
hoped, however, that in four years more
the people of the District Of Columbia
would have building of their own as they
had once before promised Congress.
Mr.. Williams. did not commit himself as
to which building he preferred for the
ceremony, but contented himself with re-
marks on the general proposition.
The House of Representatives presented a
deserted appearance when that body met
today The resolution for adjournment for
the Christmas holidays does not become eff
fective until Wednesday. the 21st instant,
but great many members already have
departed for their homes. and in conse-
quence there was slim attendance.
The House agreed to adjourn from today
until Wednesday.
Under suspension of the rules a bill was
passed granting to Farwell, Ozmun, Kirk G.
Company of ST. Paul, Mimi. license to
make excavations and place footings in the
soil of certain land belonging to the United
States at st. Paul.
I,Jn
over a motion to suspend the rules and
take up a bill to open the homestead settle
ment and entry the relinquished and I'M
disposed of portions of the Round Valley
Indian reservation, Cal. Mr.. Liyernash
(Cal) bitterly opposed the measure, while
his colleague. Mr.. Bell, made an earnest
plea for its passage. On the vote being
taken the rules We're suspended and the bill
was passed
The House took up the bill recently pass
ed by the Senate to incorporate the Ameri-
can Red Cross. Mr.. Fitzgerald IN. W in
terrogated Mr.. Longworth Ohio, who call
ed it up, regarding the reasons for the dis
bandment of the present Red Cross organi-
cation.
Mr.. Longworth answered that there were
a great many reasons. one of which was
that the records of the present Red Cross
Society had been SO loosely kept that it was
impossible to tell just who were or were
not members.
Mr. Williams CMiss). the minority leader,
was emphatic in the declaration that the
protection given the insignia in the present
bill could not extend to those already using
Ii In their business.
Mr.. Longworth agreed with that view,
saying that no existing rights were for
feited. The bill then passed.
A bill also was passed under suspension
of the rules to exclude from the Yosemite
National Park California, certain lands,
and to attach them to the Sierra forest re-
serve.
Hazing at Annapolis.
The House got into a discussion over
resolution by Mr.. Lacey Qowa) making
IT special order after January s to take
up and consider the bill to restore three