Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-24
NO FEES FOR SERVICE
Inaugural Public Comfort
Committee
RUMOR MEETS DEMISE
PROGRAM OF FIREWORKS EX-
HIBIT FOR NIGHT OF MARCH 4.
List of High School Pupils Who Will
March in Parade-Notes
Of Interest.
sUMOR MEETS DEMISE

worry until the matter had been thoroughly
investigated. 1t was alleged that the in
augural committee on public comfort is eX-
acting a fee from each householder or land
lord who is desirous of renting rooms dur
ing the inaugural period to the strangers
from out of town. One boarding house keep
er said she had been compelled to pay s. be-
fore her house would be listed as acceptable
to the public comfort committee and recon-
mended to the visitors. The rumor circu-
lated and prospered en- route until it
reached the Office Of Mr.. NJ. I. Weller,
chairman Of the inaugural committee on
public comfort.
There the rumor stopped and suffered
humiliating demise. Mr.. Weller was angry
at first and denounced the rumor most en-
phatically, and finally informed the repre-
sentative of The Star that there was not
an iota of truth in the statement The fact
was brought out that several inaugural
room-renting" bureaus have sprung into ex-
istence during the past few days, and that
they make a charge for listing rooms
and for securing tenants. This they nave
perfect right to do. Mr.. Weller explained,
but the inaugural committee on public COM
fort is doing the same work on larger
basis absolutely without cost to the board
ing house keepers and other persons having
rooms for rent
II believe / am associated with honest
men," said Mr.. Weller, land / believe all
the employees of the public comfort commic-
tee are honest. When these men are sent
to inspect houses for listing they are given
explicit instructions not TO accept any
gratufties of any character whatsoever, ana
are warned that if this rule is violated and
the violator detected he not only will be
discharged, but prosecuted by law.
This committee is working for the ben
eft of the visitors to Washington, and is
recon-. lending the very best places in the
city for the accommodation of the city's
guests. There is no cost to anybody, and
if anyone makes payment they are being
swindled or else they are attempting to
bribe the employees of this committee. L
warn the residents of Washington who
have rooms to rent during tie inaugural
week not to pay a penny to any .person
purporting to be from the inaugural COM
mittee on public comfort"
Washington has begun to take on its
holiday attire. With the sunshine and
spring temperature of today Aags and bunt-
ing have been suspended from the win
dows of score of large business houses.
The reviewing stands are nearing compile
ton all along the line of march and banks
and stores of every description are retiring
behind forests of timbers and joists, and
the footing of automobiles and the ringing
of car bells is supplemented by the bang
ing of the carpenters hammers and the
buzzing of temporary saw mill, located al
most in the shadow OF the White House.
inaugural ton day will be week from
tomorrow, and the holiday season is on.
Surprise Expressed.
Surprise is expressed by many officials
and employees of the War Department that
there is no passageway back of the Pres
idents reviewing stand. In approving the
application of the inaugural committee on
stands for permission to build the stand in
front of the White House Col Bromwell,
the engineer officer In charge of public
buildings and grounds, recommended that
the stand be built so as to permit of the
free passage of people in its rear. He
called attention to the confusion that has
always resulted from closing the thorough
fare at that point on inauguration day due
to the fact that the crowds coming from
both directions were estopped from further
progress. That was because both side
walks were blocked with stands and the
street was closed to traffic by the police.
Colonel Bromwelrs suggestion for pass
age way behind the Presidents stand was
concurred in by Secretary TAFT and Cen
eral Mackenzie, chief of engineers. and 1t is
not understood why the INAUGURAL commit
tee failed to carry it into effect.
When Mr.. John B. Larner, chairman OF
the inaugural committee on parks and re-
viewing stands, was advised as to the posi-
ton assumed by the officials at the War
Department, he expressed surprise, and
said he thought the plans had been thor
oughly understood.
'"The stands have been under construc-
ton for more than a week, and this Is the
first intimation l have had that any one
wanted passageway under the stands"
he said to a representative Of The Star.
The plans were discussed and, under
stood, settled. Furthermore, would not
approve of passageway under the stand,
for think 1t would be extremely danger
Gus to permit any one to get under the
stand from which the President VIII re-
view the troops. AT present there Is a
passageway of ten feet width IN front OF OF
the stand. except where the Presidents
box is located. This Is room enough, In
the opinion of the members. of the com
mittee parks and reviewing stands.
Mr.. M. l. Weller was advised today that
the cadet battalion from the Virginia Mill
tary Institute will not attend the inaugural
or participate in the parade, as had been
anticipated The reason given Is that these
cadets were placed at the end of the cadet
brigade, which Gen. Chaffee and Gen. Har-
ries have included in the military grand
division. Mr.. Weller added that the rea-
son for placing the boys from Virginia last
was that Virginia is last on the alpha
betical list. and that the alphabetical order
is being followed in making the assign
ments.
cations from the Adrian Bugie Club OF
Adrian. Mich, asking to be assigned q
place in line. The organization will come
thirty strong, in command OF J. w. Kirk,
and Is exceptionally well uniformed and
drilled.
The Commercial Republican Club Of Pitts
burg also wants to march on Inauguration
day and has so. advised Mr.. Warner. Major
T. L. Harper. representing the Amerlcus
Club of Pittsburg, is in Washington ar
ranging for the dinner which the club will
give at the Raleigh on the evening of
March 3.
Public Order Committee.
The last meeting of the committee ON
public order, Maj. Richard Sylvester. chair
man, will be held at the Arlington Hotel
Tuesday night It is likely that the mem
bers of the committee will be commits
stoned Monday and sworn in at the meet
ing Tuesday night. Maj. Sylvester will
swear In the visiting detectives Tuesday
and Wednesday.
Railroad Ticket Agency.
The joint railroad ticket agency TO be
conducted during the inauguration will
shortly be established in the building at the
northeast corner Of 11th street and Penn
sylvania avenue. The joint agency Will be
Continued on Twelfth pase)