Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-22

accurate i'll the discussion of the question
of how the Inauguration is to be man
aged and by whom. The Republican falls
into an error that has heretofore appeared
in this connection. 1t adds:
'.As for tho question of a congressional
appropriation for the inaugural parade
and the inaugural ball in the evening,
there are two sides to the matter. 1t is
very properly urged by some members of
Congress now in Washington that if ma
tional appropriation is made Washington
should respond by not raising its prices
sky-higll for the accommodation of its in
auguratiOn guests But while this is
fair point it might prove pretty difficult
to enforce Doubtless Washington would
bill for the spectacle than have the spec
tac.e given up. The visitors who swarm
the city. but who would not do SO if pa
rade. ball. fireworks. etc, were aban-
doned. must leave much larger sum In
Washington pockets than is required to
give the spectacle its special setting
This is grotesque distortion Of the
matter. The ball-reception is an absolute
necessity if there is TO be parade under
the management OF the citizens. II con-
ditions are favorable. if no accident up
sets the program. IL no postponement oc-
ours, the ball-reception receipts bring
. dP
to the outlay, sometimes a little more. oc-
casonalIy little less. If more. the sur
plus ordinarily goes into a charity fund
If less, the subscribers to the guarantee
fund pay the balance due.
Under the management of the citizens, II
there is no ball there can be no elabo-
rate provision for the parade no fireworks
no special reviewing stand for the presi-
Dental party, no general decorations. This
is as the Republican suggests. But 1t IS
untrue that the city spreads these fea-
lures forth as lures to the spenders. The
capital profits little or nothing from the
affair The hotel keepers and restaurant
owners and the street car companies
reap the chief benefit from the crowds.
But the merchants find themselves often
out of pocket in consequence of the great
surging in Of holiday-makers, who are
too intent upon their patriotic pleasuring
to buy goods. On the day OF the largest
gathering. March 4, the stores are closed.
Nor is there as large a profit to the
hotels as might be expected. Large num-
bers of the visitors are entertained as
guests at private houses. Resident Wash
ingtonians become very popular with their
old friends few weeks before inaugu-
ration.
AS business proposition Washington
only just about breaks even on Inaugural
ton. Nevertheless the citizens stand
ready to do their part every four years.
They will work hard on committees pre-
pairing for the national fete If Con-
gress, giving them the use Of a public
building for the ball, charges them with
the responsibility for the ceremonial. If
Congress decides to place the whole af-
fair under government auspices the
Washingtonians will do what they can
to help make the induction of their good
friend Judge Taft into Office an occasion
worthy of the American people. But
they do not confidently expect to be re-
lieved Of the quadrennial charge Of eX-
tortion. Unjust though it is. unfounded
on real experience. nevertheless it per-
sists. and no volume of protestations will
avail to convince or discourage or shame
those who advance it. Washington needs
no congressional regulation of prices to
compel it to treat it's visitors, whenever
they come, and in whatever numbers,
fairly and Hospitality. 1t has been en-
tertaining the American public for many
wears,