The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-05
BRILLIANT INAUGURAL BALL.
an THL World DANCED IN AN
IP-TO-DATE FARMLAND.
ope Pension Building Turned Into an
Italian Garden \ Wonderful Gather
ing. with Social barriers Let
DoNn-O,ation TO the President.

ing. with Social barriers Let
noNn-O,ation to the President
yAsHrSoroS. March THE only social
,,,c,ion which the nation indorses through
formal action by Congress and the Execu-
tive WAS held tonight in the Pension Office
,rildinr as a topping-oT Of the strenuous
ceremonies and festivities Of the day. This
gas the inaugural ball, to which all tho world
might come under no other condition than
having the necessary tickets of admission
ticket cost s., and while there was
,ree list. it was very short. Complimentary
admission was restricted TO the President,
,be yice-President and their wives, the
members Of the Cabinet. the other persons
Who composed the Presidential party, the
foreign Ambassadors and Ministers and
the Justices Of the Supreme Court. All
the Washington men who worked so hard
70 ma ke the Inauguration a success had to
b,y their ball tickets. The inaugural ball
nays much Of the heavy expense con-
n,cted with the Inauguration.
To get to the ball many persons regarded
carriage az necessary and the tariff for a
carriage in Washington for this night only
vas legally fixed at $40. Hundreds who
attended went TO the Pension Office in the
street cars Women in beautiful costumes
found this means Of getting there some
what inconvenient, but not at all enbar-
RAISING. for they had plenty Of company.
There was some compensation, however,
in using street car instead Of carriage.
not alone in the saving of expense. but in
another way, for the street car ball goers
entered the Pension Building without the
bother Of waiting for an hour or so in the
long slow moving carriage line and when
they wanted to go home, could do so with
out another long wait.
For twenty years these pretentious socia
shairs Of official Endorsement have been
held in the big red brick building which
was the scene OF to-night's festivities. But
never before had the preparations been 80
complete or on so grand scale. To many
who came the first view OF the ballroom
was worth the price Of admission, for fairy
land was duplicated in an up to date way.
The ballroom proper embraced the entire
inner court Of the building 300 feet wide.
IN Office rooms on the first floor space was
provided for putting wraps away, and in
ether rooms long supper tables were spread
for those who cared to eat at dollar head.
Then, on the same floor but out of view
Of those in the great court, was a well
equlppd hospital, where everything in the
first aid 10 the injured line was provided
from smelling salts to splints for broken
leg. The second floor rooms we're sacred
~ ~ u 81 a
Presidential parties. the diplomats and the
Supreme Court Justices.
Like all Italian Garden.
A marvellous change had been wrought
by the decorators and electricians and
florists in the few days that had been given
them to turn the bare official looking walls
and columns and balconies into fairyland.
The whole scheme of decoration was to |
Emulate an Italian garden under the open |
ky. and the work was carried out with
wonderful SUCCESS. Everywhere electric
lamps shimmered. but so well arran ged
we're they and so artistically reflected
that there was no glare, only clear steady
glow that was pleasing and restful 10 the
eyes More than 1900 electric globes
had been used in this work There was a
profusion Of twining vines, growing plants
and cut flowers
The high roof Of the Pension Building
Il supported by great marble columns.
ten feet or SO in diameter There are eight
Of them, four near one end of the long
court and four near the other end. These
we're twined with garsnds Of green. but
not otherwise decora ted, the idea being
n L
and gigantic strength.
The inner court has two balconies An
ivory and gold effect had been given to
The pillars and arches supporting the first
balcony. Between each arch hung a bell
Of flowers and foliage plants, and in the
centre AZ this bunch Of floral brightness
and restful natural green was tiny in
lamp Garlands Of green were
strung in graceful curves from each floral
globe 10 those on either side. while from
The top and between the supporting columns
rose clusters OF roses. a2aleas and growing
lesved plants. A continuous plant of
pine fir and laurel hid the balcony railing.
and al its base was the principal source
OF illumination, a double row Of incandes-
cent lights reflected from huted devices
Of glass.
lh@ balustrade Of the second gallery
Ike That Of the one beneath. was a solid
wall Of pine branches, and from the rail
rose a series Of sculptured columns Of pure
Whlte. surmounted each by ball upon
"nich was poised an eagle with outstretched
wings These columns we're linked with
sarands Of green and behind each rose
, yew tree
Above and behind the yew, baby blue
TIalery began, and was carried against
'ne wall and across the roof of the court
ID The semhlance of an azure sky. SO
a.,fusucally had the lights been arranged
.ha' TINS blue canopy was merged in par
uai gloom that made it seem like an over
hanging cloud that BODIED no harm hut
ner
~ NE west end Of the court. on the second
!. .aicony' was the Presidents box, while
'sr away I'M the distance opposite was the
munster band stand, The Presidents box
n " a ye1table floral bower American
neau'y roses and orchids were everywhere
= piolusion. Rising from the floor and
. y up beyond the railing over which
.u fresident leaned when he gazed at
Az some below, We're great branches Of