The Washington herald., 1909-03-04
BALLROOM BRIGHT
AS 4 SUMMER DAY
Electric Lights Danish Gloom
in the Big Hall.
DECORATIONS MOST EFFECTIVE
Inauguration Chorus Rehearses
While Guests Invited by Commit
tee View Scene Of TO-night's FeS-
tivitics-MuSic Proves Attractive.
Reeord-breaking Crowd Expected.

Reeord-breaking Crowd Expected.
Brilliant with hundreds Of eiectTic
lights, gay with towering plants and 8
wealth Of evergTeens on a background OF
creamy white bunting. and ringing with
the music Of so3 well-trained voices re
hearsing the concert music. the ball
room at the Pension Building was a splen-
did sight last night
! Perhaps 2.000 people braved the rain and
sleet 10 avail themselves Of the invitations
extended By the inaugural committee TO
view the room.
They viewed it. and profoundly wished
they may De fortunate enough TO have
vantage points from which to see the fes-
tivities there tonight.
Committee Does Well
The work OF decorating the ballroom
/ has been well done James Rush Mar
shall and his co-workers on the commit
tee have exceeded expectations. The de-
sign Of the decorations and the execution
OF the plan brought forth only one YER
/ dict from those who saw il.
Perfectly loveIy,r exclaimed the ladies'
Fine murmured the men. and members
Of the committee present-Mr- SteHwagen.
Mr.. Marshall, and z. c Graham, who su-
perintended the lighting arrangements
/ all we're the recipients Of congratulations
! from people VINO knew them
Commissioners Macfariaad and West
were delighted with the appearance Of the
room. Both said II surpassed similar
work in the past. and each felt sure the
I bali tonight would be a big and grand
affair
Lighting Very Effective.
| The lighting Of the room brought forth
the most frequent expressions Of ap-
provaL Twelve big chandeliers. hanging
/ from the ceiling on long chains about one
third Of the distance from the floor 10 the
roof. literally food the room with light
Every part Of the big room Is as light as
day Moreover. the light is from 50 many
small bulbs that it is soft in tone and
/ does not in the least give the impression
OF blaze Of light II is more ike the
sunshine OF midafternOon-sOft. mellow.
and delightful.
| by the latest appliances for electric iight-
| Ing. have produced a marvel in the way
/ OF Illuminating the huge spaces OF he
/ Pension Office court.
/ No less satisfying TO the eye Is the
effect Of the decorations First. the cell
! ing was draped in cream-cOlored bunting
as also were the walls Of the corridors
Over this and along the balconies have
! been placed great wreatlIs OF laurel md
a wealth of green vines. ornamented ~
l convenient points with flowers IN bloom.
azalias, rhododendrons. rambler roses.
and other flowers in rich color At either
end Of the room are big escutche0ns bear
inS the national colors and 2 few en-
bIe7rs indicative Of the power and pan
opiy Of the nation.
Presidents Box Admired.
Tie Presidents box IS literally q hover
Of blooming flowers. They are OF every
kind and description. and are massed with
great effectiveness. Here, and in the dec
Grafton Of the central fountain. the work
Of J. Henry Small and his associates
shines best.
The Presidents stand gives the double
impression IF great plainness and rich
:
light yellow, bearing Wreaths OF green
Above It is red with the warmth OF the
flowers Of every hue Mr.. Taft probably
has never sat in a more brilliant place
than he viii occupy tonight, the center
Of thousands OF edHliring eyes.
The inaugural chorus occupied the
1 pavilion specially built for Il, and was
under rehearsal last night The numbers
~ 4tz concert -,4-ne-~a-,r--a r~- -
were sung through, and Percy S. Foster.
chairman Of the music committee and
/ leader Of the chorus. gave his last IN
structions. The singing was exceptionally
good, thought the spectators. and so
thinks Mr. Foster.
He said after the rehearsal that the
programme had gone of last night better
than ne had expected. He said the chorus
had responded nobly 10 his calls upOn
them to drill. and the result was good.
Mr. Foster expects the music TO measure
up 10 the beauty Of the ballroom and the
perfection OF the arrangements for the
comfort and pleasure Of the guests.
Committeeman Feel Cheerful.
Members Of the inaugural committee at
the Pension Building last night were all
in cheerful mood at the fine effects
prOduced oy the hgnlng and the decora-
tons. They expect a record-breaking
crowd al the ban. and one that viii de-
part to the homes OF the people satisfied
that It has had the worth Of its money.
The finishing touches viii be put upon
the ballroom to-day, and the great han
VIII be cleaned and secured for the re-
ception Of the guests tonight There Is
little to do, and that little win ali be out
Of the way before noon to-day
Everything at the Pension Building is
ready Tor the social function, except the
arrival Of the patrons OF the ban and
the distinguished guess Of the evening.
When Lieut.. Santelmann raises his
wand tonight and smiles upon the Ma
rine Band, the biggest. gvandest. and
most successful ball ever held IN Wash
inst3n VIII begin.