Evening star., 1909-03-04
BALL TO Be AS PLANNED
WEATHER NO BAR TO GREAT
SOCIAL FEATURE.
President Taft to Attend Brilliant
Function at Pension Office.
Where Tickets May Be Had.

there will be one feature of the inau-
cural ceremonies that will be safe from
lowering skies flying snow or drifting
rain-the inaugural ball. the first great
social function of the Taft administra-
tion-to be held tonight in the pension
building
While the cold north winds may whistle
their dismal notes on the outside and the
bleakness OF the blizzard may freeze out
Some of the enthusiasm of the visiting
thousands, the scene in the great pension
court will be one of brilliancy and cheer
fulness Safe from the elements there
will be presented a series of the rrettiest
panoramas Imaginable.
The everyday American citizen will be
permitted by the unwritten law of Ameri-
can ethics to touch elbows with justices
OF the United States Supreme Court aris-
tocratic diplomats in their court costumes
representing monarchies across the seas;
senator's, representatives, milionaires ct
al. and all for the modest price of SIS.
The swirl of society will begin this even
ing. as the full Marine Band, picturesque
In their coats of scarlet cloth, plays the
overture, Won Webers Jubilee Then
President Taft. Vice President Sherman
and their immediate party will enter the
profusely decorated ballroom and prom
enade to the central fountain its waters
failing in rainbow hues, and back to the
Presidents box.
The ball will then be formally opened
and until the city's chimes sound the hour
OF o'clock Friday morning there will be
Kaleidoscope pictures of beauty and gal
lantry.
The Promenade Concert
Preceding the introduction of the pro-
gram of dances. there will be the grand
promenade concert. the music being fur
nished alternately by the Marine Band
and Sol Minister'S big orchestra of 125
pieces.
Chairman Edward J. StelIwagen and
his leutenants visited the ballroom last
night and inspected the dainty scheme
of decoration in ivory and white. He
pronounced the effect exquisite 1t was
Mr.. Stellwagen's prediction that the gay
gowns Of the ladies intermingling with
the black and white of the mems evening
dress. the colors of the court suits of the
diplomats and the gold-laced uniforms of
the army and navy officers will present
series of moving pictures elegant in
both touch and finish.
The governors of many of the states of
the Union in charge of the reception COM
nlittee Will be a distinct feature CT the
ball Next to them In interest will be the
corps of aids on the floor committee COM
prising representative citizens one from
each state and territory. and whose pleas
ant duty Will be to look after the com
fort and enjoyment of their home folks
There will be other features attra ctive
historical and interesting with President
Taft looking on from his decorated box
with its wealth of tropical growths and
growing roses and Other flowers
In the decoration of the ball room
the converting of the bare official walls
into bower of beauty-the sum of ap-
proximately $1,000 was expended by the
committee. Carloads of blooming exotics
from fair Dixie. thousands of yards OF
bunting and myriad electric bulbs have
been employed in the Transformation.
To-day the evolution is complete. and from
all signs the attendance tonight viii be
record-breaker.
Tickets at Pension Office.
The committee on bail tickets announced
today that in addition 10 the hotels.
banHs, drug stores. etc. tickets for the
ball can be procured at the box Offices
AT the pension office this afternoon and
evening. The supper tickets for the
dainty inauguration supper at $1.,O each
may be procured at the same places and
the limited number are in active demand.
Careful arrangements for vehicles CON
Veyins parties tC and from the inaugural
ball have been made so there will be
no congestion confusion III handling
the grea- crowd.
The fir. of the inauguration concerts
will he given tomorrow forenoon at 1890
O'Clock by the famed Philippine Constab-
uary Band and the Haydn Male Chorus
Of Utica, y. Y. The second concert will
take place at 2:15 O'Clock tomorrow after
noon by the United States Marine Band
and the Republican Glee Club of Colum-
bus. Ohio. and the third at s:15 tomorrow
evening, the participants being the big
inaugural chorus of 600 voices organized
by Percy S. Foster assisted by the United
States Marine Band.
1t is explained that the first concert to-
morrow will be in honor of the United
States Army. the second in honor OF the
United States Navy and the third in hon.
or OF the governors OF the states
There will be two concerts Saturday.
afternoon and evening