The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-12-15
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial correspondence.l

~
tial Inauguration is sffnpie' problem
compared with how to get it back"
In this statement a former treasures
of an inaugural committee tells why
the holders OF that important offic,
should be the embodiment OF energy
patience and business ability. In truth
the Office Of treasurer, because be
shoulders the financial obligations In
volving the success or failure Of the
whole inaugural ceremony, is but a
shade less important than that of chair.
man.
Raising Inaugural Funds.
Heretofore, and indications are that
there will be no change in raising the
Taft inaugural fund, money has come
in plenty through voluntary contribui
TONS The nucleus of the SO called
guaranteed fund" this year, as In the
past, viii be subscribed by wealthy
and prominent men who are actuated
by desire to see the inaugural termi-
nate successfully
| From this source the treasurer may
expect to draw at least $75, 600 more
il the fund falls short Of the needs Of
the ceremonial. When the new treas
urer announces that he is ready for
business checks of 81 600 each from at
least seventy five citizens who have
given support to similar enterprises
viii be forthcoming, while food of
smaller sums, ranging from SIS toa$5O0,
probably win swell the fund t5P ap-
proximateIy $4,000. The Roosevelt
inaugural cost about $1S5,000, and 1t
is thought that President Elect Taft's
win exceed that amount by several
thousands
RefundiHg Contributions.
Long before the money contributions
are all In the treasurer is figuring on
how to insure Its return to the giverE
To do this he depends almost wholly
on the success of his piece de re-
sistance, the great inaugural ball, tos
which many thousands journey every
four years to dance to the strains Of
presidential music.
The concerts which follow usually
net tidy sum, as does the sale of
seats on the grand stands fronting
Pennsylvania avenue, where the
crowds view a spectacle of moving
men, soldiers, civilians and the big
figures in national politics that has no
rival In the American realm Of pag-
eantry.
In this way the inaugural treasurer
can pledge the return of the "guaran-
teed fund" While this guarantee car
ries no personal obligation, the treas
urer nevertheless feels that his under
taking has not succeeded unless he
returns dollar for dollar the money
subscribed to finance the inaugural.
Past experience has shown that the
failures are few and far between. 1t
may be assured, therefore, that the
Taft ceremonial, to be given under
conditions which at present appear
ideal and with the prospect of an au-
ditorium for the bali with capacity
of many thousands, will go down In
the history Of these events as success
full, financial and otherwise.
Washington Street Cars.
The national capital street car serv-
ice, which for years has been law
unto itself, has been made a model for
other cities. The interstate commerce
commission after several months of
careful study Of the street railway
systems here has issued several i'm
portant orders. The first provides all
cars shall be heated to a temperature
of 90 degrees when the outside temper
allure is lower than 40 degrees be-
tween Dec. sand April l.. Another
order provides that before Nov. 1, 1909,
all cars used in the District shall
be provided with heating apparatus
which meets the approval Of the com
mission.
Statues For Capitol.
The blank pediment of the east por-
tico Of the house wing of the capitol
is to be set with statues. The sculp-
tors chisel is to write an allegory
there. This pediment, or classic tri-
angle that rests on the futed columns,
has never had statue tenants, though
the corresponding space on the senate
side of the capitol has sheltered a
The subject illustrated in the senate
pediment is the Progress of Ameri-
can Civilization" Naturally the de-
cline of the American Indian is also
Illustrated. The central figure is Amer
lea. On her right are a soldier,
merchant, youths, schoolmaster, pu-
pill and mechanic: also an anchor,
symbolizing stability, and sheaf of
wheat, typifying prosperity. On the
left of America are a pioneer, hunter,
an Indian brave, an Indian squaw and
papoose and an Indian grave.
Cost Of Senate Group.
The man who designed this group
was Crawford, the sculptor, who re-
ceived $4,000 for his work; Casoni,
an Italian, carved the figure of Amer
lea and the Indian family for $1,000;
G.. Butt carved the soldier, merchant,
pioneer and hunter for $12,3 $50; Thorn
as Gagliardi chiseled the wheat sheaf,
anchor, group of instruction and
youths for $500; d. Giampiola did
the figure of the mechanic,1 receiving
$1,000, and G. Caspera dug the Indian
grave out of marble for $500.
The Postoffice Hawk.
The hawk which has its perch In
the tower of the postoffice department
building and dominates the surround
ing neighborhood in the fowl line has
added another victim to its list. The
| leg Of q carrier pigeon bearing the