The Washington herald., 1909-01-28
WORK ON BALLROOM
Committee Develops Plan to
Decorate Pension Office.
LIGHTING THE CHIEF PROBLEM
Chairman MARSHALL Hopes 10 Make
the inauguration Bali a Brilliant
Event. 80 Far az Setting Is Con-
cerned-New York Mounted Police
May Ride in the Parade.

James Rush Marshall and his commit
tee On ballroom decorations are busy at
work framing up the plan Of transform
ing the Pension Office into a place suit
able for the principal social function OF
the I'aft-Sherman inauguration.
This committee met yesterday after
noon at the Willard, and the subcOmmit-
tee charged with drafting general plans
for the decorations, mae a report. The
plan in its general outlines met The
approval Of the committee, but the mat
ter was referred back to the subcOmmit-
tee with instructions 20 make some
changes in the details and 10 bring out
several features into stronger light
Presents a Big Task.
Mr.. Marshall said recently IN comment
ing upon the ftting up Of the Pension
Office for the inauguration bah that il
was q big task It requires the develop
ment OF a consistent color scheme OF
drapeTies 10 cover the unsightly walls
and 10 give the finished interior some
thing Of the appearance and coziness Of q
vast CrawingrOom- Mr. Marshall
thought tae task never had been ac-
compEshed fully. and. perhaps. never
would be. owing TO the impossibility OF
doing it without a larger outlay OF money
than any inaugural committee could az
ford 20 spend
The lighting OF the big. high room is
giving the committee some anxiety. The
court of the Pension Office, which r fitted
~ f-~ ha hell 4 -
space. Il IS nearly as high as il is long
To light IL successfully requires many
strong lights. and on some former Occs-
sions the gloom has been fairly dense
The present committee hopes to overcome
the lighting difficulties and 10 give the
room a glow that win relieve il OF
shadows and dark corners that give one
the creeps at a night function
VIII Ask Appropriation.
Mr. Marshall stated last night that his
committee had made an estimate upon
what would be needed TO TT up the room
properly, and that ne should go before
the inaugural committee to-day and ask
for an appropriation
Thomas P. Morgan yesterday received
a letter from Charles g. Bennett. Secre-
tary Of the Senate. saying that the
mounted squad OF the New YORK police
desire 70 come 10 the Inauguration and
participate in the parade The squad
numbers about I50 men. al finely mount
ed. They are said TO be fine body Of
men. and would give added interest TO
the civic division OF the column. The
New York policemen have obtained con
% that "a
be of their beats for the time necessary
10 come here. and Mr.. Bennett said they
desired a formal Invitation TO attend the
inauguration ceremonies. which. II IS IN
derstood- viii be. sent 10 them
Gen Bel has received assurance that
the three companies Of the Agricultural
College OF Maryland win participate IN
the parade If the weather is not too Sc
we're to allow Of the troop coming into
Washin gton for the purpose.
Room Needed for Troops.
The question OF providing quarters FOR
some OF the large bodies OF state troops
which desire 10 come 10 the inauguration
is botharing the committee on public con-
fort Since the board OF education de-
clined to allow the use OF a number Of
schooihouses as quarters for the State
militia, the committee is a good deal al
sea as to what can be done. There are
not enough large buildings in Washington
empty 10 solve thte prOs+em. and II 7.
Weller. chairman Of the committee. said
yesterday that he thought It was I'D 70
the members Of Congress from the states
where the troops hail from 10 supply The
lack
At a meeting Of the general inaugural
committee to-day il is probable a large
amount Of business will be transacted
Most Of the committees have their work
in share now to ask for the needed ap-
propriarions. and the financial question
viii be one Of the nuts 10 be cracked by
the committee