The Washington times., 1907-04-21
Representative Bede Says
Inaugural Ball Problem
Would Be Solved.
Not Necessary to Keep
Militia in Cold Stor-
age Plant.
For Half Million Dollars
Suitable Structure Could
Be Built.

AT last solution OF the inaugural
BAH problemi
J Adam Bede. formerly a newspaper
man in this city, now Representative
in Congress from Minnesota. is out as
the champion Of a proposition 10 secure
an appropriation from the next session
OF Congress to build a handsome arm
DRY for the District National Guard, and
for use as the scene OF inaugural balls
in the future.
He believes such a structure can be
butt for a little more than $4,000, and
put up in such fashion as to ornament
the city.
Mr.. Bede discussed the matter with
reporter for The Times last night in
his characteristic, earnest and humOr-
Gus manner.
Yes; the Center Market Armory," he
commented refectively.
Guardsmen in Cold Storage
He paused a moment. the ghost OF a
smile creeping into his blue eyes and
lifting the corners of his lips. Then he
smacked the desk beside him with en-
phatic hand. and laughed
Don't you know" he exclaimed.
this is the first place I have found
that keeps its National Guard in cold
storage. Yes; the Center Market Arm
DRY. It's all there-the National Guard,
the cold storage chickens. the rifles. the
beef, and the uniforms.
Why, II We don't get a new armory
pretty soon. Wen have to make an an
naal appropriation for a squad Of meat
inspectors TO pun the tanow out Of the
guns that have become fun Of the mar
ket atmosphere The guns are loaded
with taIiow instead Of bullets.
'sThe things immensely funny"
Then Mr. Bede became serious.
Suitable Armory a Necessity.
Really" he said. Il don't see why
Congress can't. be prevailed on to give
the District OF Columbia a suitable ar
mory. one in keeping with the appear
ancej and work of the members N the
National Guard Your District Guard is
composed of as fine a lot Of men, both
officers and privates. as have ever
seen IFS shame that they should be
confined to such cold-stoTage quarters.
There is equally a demand for a
suitable place for the holding Of the in
auguraI ban every four years. Why not
combine the two meritOriOus projects?
We want a fine armOTy and we want
a fine ballroom
''Such a structure could be built,
should say, for half a million dollars or
a little more. The Government could
pay half and the District Of Columbia I
half OF the cost Both the Government, I
The District and the National Guard /
would profit. and I'm sure the people Of I
this city would willingly pay their one
half for a building so ornamental, so /
useful and SO necessary"
Up to District Committee.
What would be the best way TO 90 /
about securing the necessary appr0pri- /
alton for the STRUCTURE he was asked 1
In the hrst place he explained. IT /
would be only too glad to introduce a !
bin providing for the building. but I be-
Heve It would be better for some mem
Der of the House Committee on the Dis
trict Of Columbia 10 frame the bill and |
introduce 1t. Through that channel it
would secure prompter consideration.
because ii is the business OF the mem
beers OF that committee TO put in bills
affecting the District.
L would vote and speak for such a
measure without hesitation.
"Of course the citizens Of the Dis
trict should ger together and demon
strate to Congress that there is a de-
mand and a need for such a building.
This could be done through the regular
citizen organizations.
Proof Positive for Members.
1T could also be DONE he added, with
that irresistible twinkle in his eye, "byI
taking the Representatives and Sena-
tors down TO see the inspectors pulling
the tallOw out of the guns.
You see, if an armory suitable for
inaugural balls were built. it would be
an easy solution of the problem that con
fronts us every four years, as to where
the bah Is TO be held The Governments
would soon be repaid for its part of thel
expenditure, for, as things are now, it is
a tremendous expense to have the ball
in the Pension Office. and that seems
10 be the only available place at present.
THE new armOry IS much needed.
Congress, 1 think, will give it,"