The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-12
Summary of House.

washington, Jan. ll.-After unoer- going a stormy discussion in the House of Representatives today. the resolu- tion authorizing the granting of per mits to the Committee on Inaugural ceremonies and the use of the Pension office building for the inaugural bail were compelled to go over for two weeks before final action will ce taken upon it.
 As 1t stands. the section relating to the pension building was stricken out and a further amendment was made refusing permission to extend over head wires in the structure. It was manifest from the outset that a ma jOrity of those present were opposed to the Pension Off1ce proposition, and Mir. Smith (Mich. having the measure in charge. was unable to rally his forces. and in consequence was beaten at every turn.
 Mir. Sims of Tennessee was most vigorous Tn his opposition.
 Let's not dance over the claims of the old soldiers" he pleaded. If he safd the ball really was in honor of the President, he would not make com plalnt. but. he declared, it's a dance to make money"
 He believed that President Taft would feel a pang of sorrow in the ball room where ladies will exhibit their LII anu 0ISpldy cent pearl and diamond necklaces, when he Knows that possibly fire might de- stroy valuable records. He maintain ed that If there was to be a ball in honor of the President 1t should be at Government expense.
 Addressing himself to the subject of inaugurations generally. MT. Clark (Mo.) said that four years ago. tne "solemn promise" was given that the Fa hY1i1Ainp VT again made. and on the strength of that promise the necessary permission was given. He favored a siX-yeaT term for President with inellgibility for re- election; the holding of the cleo tion on the first Monday in August and the inauguration of the President the first Monday in October. The new Congress. he contended, should be elect ed and started on its work the day oi inauguration There was no sense, he declared. In imperIling the life of the new President by requiring him to Stand in the open on March 4, and deliver his address. He favored a re. turn to the custom of inauguratine the President in the House of Repre- sentatives. He bitterly attacked the policy of loaning Government build. ings and said that until 1t was stopped there would be no auditorium in Wash ington.
 Mr. Clark provoked great laughter by saying that he attended the inau- gural ball of President Roosevelt and never felt sadder in his life except al a funeral. as he saw but few that he knew there.
 Messrs. McMillan (N. Y.). Olcott (N Y.) and Landis (Ind.) lead in support of the measure. Mir. Landis contended that as 1t was a national function the inaugural expense should be paid by Congress. which. he said. had been shifted by t onto the shoulders ot the citizens of Washington. who were compelled to conduct the ball in order to be partially reimbursed.
 Various other measures were con. sIdered and passed. all relating exclu- sively to the District of Columbia.
 Speaker Cannon announced the com. mittee of five, which will conduct the investigation into the secret service provided for by the resolutions of last Saturday.
 At 6 p. m. the House adjourned