New-York tribune., 1909-02-27
DOMINIC HOLIDAY GARB
THOUSANDS OF LIGHTS.
Inaugural Court of Honor 4Ssum-
ing FOrm-The Ball Decorations.
rFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

TFrom The Tribune Bureau
WASHINGTON Feb. 26-The great court OF honor
in front Of the White House, from the centre OF
which President Taft viii review the parade on
the day of his inauguration is assuming form.
and in few days the skeleton. scanoldnss will be
removed and the beautiful conception Of art
will stand complete for inspection An army OF
electricians carpenters, florists and decorators are
hustling with all their might to finish the work
before Monday night, when the thousands of cleo
tric lights TO be turned and the downtown
districts of the city to take their QUadren-
NAL holiday appearance.
From the Capitol TO the Treasury Building the
inaugural paraders will march straight mile along
Pennsylvania avenue and turning north at 18th
street they will digress for two blocks before they
again take the avenue and pass northeasterly along
the broad thoroughfare through the Of honor,
TO disband quarter of mile beyond. Every foot
of the course measured out will be made light as
day by myriads Of electric globes strung grace
full loops at 16byard intervals across the street.
The illumination Will begin Monday evening and
continue until midnight Saturday, when, II is ex-
pected. every visitor to Washington will have seen
all the sights and every Washingtonan will be glad
10 cease playing the role OF host
In addition TO the 900 additional electric globes
that the inaugural committee will string the
asphalt Of Pennsylvania avenue along the line Of
march, nearly every business house Of consequence
in the downtown district is making special effort
at display. Many of the larger firms are having
festoons Of electric lights -nteraced across their
storefronts; some of them have moving electrical
displays of flags and figures and patriotic pictures
All have flags and bunting lavishy displayed.
The various reviewing stands being erected by
the inaugural committee and individuals are near
ing completion. The great collection of seats at
either end Of the Treasury Building at 18th street
and Pennsylvania avenue is complete and requires
only the draping of canvas. white and colored, 10
bring It to completion. Further east In the ave-
nue.. the foot' OF Capitol Hill. and at 7th
street especially. where the largest collection OF
seats will be located. the stands nearly ready
and are being sold rapidly by cashiers ensconced
in little board box Offices beside the curb.
The official stands on the east front Of the Cap
itol. where the President is take the OATH
and where the diplomatic corps. Supreme Court
government officials members OF Congress and
other notable personages will assemble at
the eventful day. need only the finishing touches
Of the decorators and florists.
In preparation for the inaugural ball the trans
formation began to-day of the big. barnlike court
OF the Pension Building. the largest brick building
it is said, in the world. Hundreds OF filled
with pension office documents were moved into
rooms around the sides of the building. while
number Of these rooms themselves viii be cleared
of desks and chairs to be used for waiting, recep
ton and cloak
The decorations for the ball alone Will cost about
10000. This does not include the framework
which the decorations Will be hung. which will
total several thousand more. In the electrical dis
play there VIII be between thousand and ten
thousand incandescent electric lights and miles of
wire will be used In the floral scheme there will
be used two thousand blooming plants. three hun
dred of Southern smlax and hundreds OF
growing American Beauties and Crimson Rambler
plants. in addition to hundreds OF dozens OF
flowers.