Evening star., 1909-03-03

4
| reau.
"All the arrangements for the Inaugural
ton are complete
The foregoing statement was made TO
a Star reporter this afternoon by Edward
j. Stellwagen, chairman of the inaugura-
ton committee.
In a nutshell Mr.. StelIwagen indicated
that the big history-making events will
occur tomorrow according to the program,
which represents long weeks Of arduous
work of preparation.
From indications this afternoon. with
crowds of soldiers and civilians pouring
into Washington from every point of the
compass, William Howard Taft and
James S. Sherman will be inducted into
office tomorrow without hitch or him.
drance.
With ideal weather conditions promised
by Prof. Willis L. Moore's prophets. the
city gay with flags. bunting and green
ings,. the arrangements for the great so
cial function-the inaugural ball-pract-
caIly complete, the reviewing stands
ready for occupancy by the muittudes
of spectators. the Monument Lot arrang-
ed for the mammoth and spectacular dis
play Of fireworks, but little remains to be
done.
I'VE are putting on the finishing
touches. said an inaugural committee
man who was in consultation with Cor
coran Thorn. the secretary of the general
Inauguration committee. today. land from
all appearances the ceremonies tomorrow
will eclipse any that preceded them
Reports from everywhere are most en-
| c0uraging.'
Beehives of Bustling Business.
The office of Chairman Stellwagen in
the Union Trust Company's building and
that of Secretary Thorn at headquarters
in the New Willard were beehives of
bustling business all day long. Besides
the committeeman, the callers included
visitors from all parts of Uncle Sans do
| mains. And the questions they asked,
Here are some of them:
Where can I get nice ROOM cheap"
How many men will be in line?'
Can l have private talk with Mr..
,, Taft after he is inaugurated?"
What can me and my boy Bill get for
our dinner for tomorrow. and where can
we find a good dining room?''
"Can I get free pass to the baIl?''
Can you recommend me to good
place to rent window to see the pro-
cession?"
Il want permit to sell peanuts and
apples
| Such constitute a fair sample of the
queries that are fired at inaugural COM
mitteemen, from Chairman Stellwagen
and Secretary Thorn to the secretaries al
headquarters But this is inauguration
time. and Washington is crowded with
people of all sorts and many minds-the
short and tall. fat and lean, rich and
| INT NJ
| red and black, young and old. and those
| of uncertain ages. So the beSieged com
mtteemen only smile grimly at their in
| terrogators and give them the best re-
plies they can.
Topsy-Turvey of Humanity.
| When the lights of hundreds of swing
| ing arches of electric bulbs across Penn
| sylvania avenue are turned on after sun
set today they will cast their radiance
! a topsy-turvy of humanity surging along
| that broad thoroughfare, soldiers and
civilians, fakirs and fair women and what
| not There will be striking pictures in the
candleight hours.
| From one end of the avenue to the other
| the decorations of houses are most pro-
| fuse. and individual buildings there
are many innovations in the way of color
and decorative schemes. The headquar-
ters of the leading political clubs at the
X
| signboards across the fronts of the build
ings. About the quarters of the visiting
troops there Is a constant pellmell, and
the congestion of the downtown streets
has become so great as to impede pedes-
trianism.
The latch string of the city is out. and
| it is being worked overtime this after
| noon.
| The court of honor Ioomed up beauti-
| fully today In it's artistic design and
colorings. and despite the showers the
picture presented in front of the White
House was viewed and admired by thou
sands of strangers.
The Capitol has been a mecca all day.
and its corridors and galleries are pack
ed with humanity. Capt Megrew'S force
Of Capitol policemen has been augmented
by the appointment of twenty-six capi-
tolian specials. Members of the House
and senators have been required to give
the congressional shake to many ot
their constituents who are here to see
the big national show tomorrow.
Volumes Of Sound.
The playing of brass bands and drum
corps sends volumes of sound along the
downtown thoroughfares. Flags are fly
ing at the head of incoming organiza
tions. and on every hand is written in the
very hustle and hustle Of the day-Wash-
ington is ready for the great event tomor-
row.
Col. Thomas S. Hopkins announced to-
day that the veteran organization will as
semble promptly at S:45 O'Clock tomorrow
morning at the designated places In Penn
sylvania avenue to open the days pro-
gram by escorting the presidential party
to the Copitol.
Gen j. Franklin Bell. grand marshal OF
the parade requests that the command
ing officers of all military organizations
that will participate in the pageant con-