Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-01
Construction of Local Conven-
tion Building Projected.
ACTION TAKEN TODAY
PROPOSED CONFERENCES OF CITI-
ZENs OF THE DISTRICT.
Plans of the Board of Trade for Fur
therance of the Project Are Yet in
Tentative State.

movement is on foot for the construc-
zion Of great building in the District OF
Columbia in which future inaugural balls
and public functions may ne neld and
which will complete this city's facilities
for taking care of the great conventions
of the country.
In pursuance of a resolution unani-
mousIy adopted at recent meeting of
the Washington Board of Trade. Mr. w.
V. Cox. president of the board. after con-
ference with Gen. John N Wilson. chair
man of the inaugural committee, an
nounced today to q Star reporter the APP
pointment of the following committee to
confer with other citizens of the District
and others interested, with view to the
construction of such a building:
Commissioner Henry L. West, chairman;
Charles c. Glover. Adds 3. Browne, John
~. Magruder and William II. Moses.
Need of Large Assembly Building.
Whether the management of the inau-
gural ceremonies remains in the hands of
our citizens, as heretofore said Mr.. Cox
today. cor whether, in accordance with
proposed Legislation. those affairs are in
the future conducted entirely under gov
eminent authority, suitable place of
sufficient size and appropriate archtec-
tuie una fohN eilieEtlN itttttu, SHOULD De
provided
Such Il building has long been needed
In the capital of the nation, where it
would not only serve as fitting place
for inaugural festivities, but for large
gatherings of national and local impor-
tance- Washington has every require
ment for Il great convention city except
the necessary building itself and the eff
fort to realize this should arouse inter-
est IN the heart Of every American. for
the benefits accruing from its realization
would he widespread and far-reaching."
Current Comment Favorable.
Comment on the selection of the COM
mittee is to the effect that the citizens of
Washington and the Washington Board
OF Trade are to be congratulated that
such representative men have been chosen.
with Commissioner West as chairman
All of the members are known to be
Mccarthy IN favor of having in this city
such building as that mentioned
The project of the removal of the mag
nihcent government building at the St
Louis fair. which is regarded as being in
me with the new movement is known
10 nave no stronger advocates than Com
missioner West and Mr.. Glover
ihe Commissioner, after a conference
WIN MT Cox, has consented to serve as
CHAIRMAN ian OF the present committee.
me proposition to secure the erection Of
2 convention and inaugural ball building
Tor the District, it is stated is directly in
line with the legislation proposed in the
Ioese OF Representatives by Mr.. Sherman
OF New York, the purpose of which is to
provide Tor government control of the
inauguration ceremonies. Both measures.
IL rs pointed out, look toward the solution
OF diihculties repeatedly presented when
the time comes for making arrangements
Tor the formal installation of the Presi-
dent of the United States into office In
fact. Mr.. Sherman, in an exclusive inter-
tfr fnr
geSted the possibility of the erection of
building suitable for the ball with funds
in the federal treasury.
In this connection il may be stated that
Mr.. Cox, president of the local Board of
Trade. and the majority of the city's BUSH
ness men and prominent citizens continue
to be in favor of Mr.. Shermans resolution
and would like to see him push il through
Washington a Convention City.
Washington's Importance as a convention
city is said to be indicated by the fact that
SO many of the great conventions of the
country are held here annually in spite of
the fact that there is no hall or building
pre-eminently fitted for large gatherings
of this sort. If such n thing should be
provided, it is declared by enthusiastic cit
liens, there would be no show for any
other city in the country when il comes
to conventions, for all would arrange dates
in Washington, where national interest
would be conferred upon them. where prom
lNent public men could be secured for adj
dresses and other aid, and where the dele
gates could spend days in delightful sight
seeing
Plans for the realization of the Board of
Trades idea are not yet in definite shape.
In other words, they are tentative at pres
ent and merely have the end in view with
out covering the means in detail A con-
ference with citizens of the District and
others interested. which is suggested in
the resolution. will. it is believed, bring
about a proper conclusion to the move
R4ent that has been so auspiciously
started
A certain patriotic color is given to the
project by it's connection with the inaugural
ceremonies as well as by the ever-present
fact that this is the capital city of the
nation. which, in the minds not only of
the citizens of the District itself, but of
the people of the entire land, should be-
come the center of the beauty, interest and
greatness of the republic.