The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-12
DAYS SUMMARY
 IN THE HOUSE

Washington, January 11-After going through a stormy discussion in the House today the resolutions authorizing the granting of permits to the committee on inaugural ceremonies and the use of the pension office building for the inau- gural ball, were compelled to go over for two weeks before final action will be taken on it.
 As it stands the section relating to the pension building was stricken out, and a further amendment was made re- ' fusing permission to extend overhead wires in the structure. It was manifest from the outset that majority of those present were opposed to the pension office proposition and MT. Smith of Michigan having the measure in charge, was un- able to rally his forces, and in conse- quence was beaten at every turn. Mir Sims of Tennessee was most wig orous in his opposition
 Let's not dance over the claims of the old soldiers" he pleaded.
 If, he said, the ball was really in honor of the President, he would not make complaint, but he declared it is a dance to make money.
 He believed that President Taft would feel a pang of sorrow while in the ball room, where ladies will exhibit their beautiful forms and display magnificent pearl and diamond necklaces, when he knows that possibly fire might destroy valuable records.
 He maintained that if there was to be a ball in honor of the President it should be at government expense
 Addressing himself to the subject of inaugurations generally MT Clark of Mis- souri said that four years ago the "sol- emn promise" was given that the request for the building would not again be made, and on the strength of that prom ise the necessary permission was given.
 He favored a six-year term for Presi- dents with ineligibility for reelection: the holding of the election on the first Monday in August, and the inauguration of the President the first Monday in Oc- tober. The new Congress, he contended, should be elected, and started on it's work on the day of inauguration. There was no sense, he declared, in imperiling the illS OI lue HeW fTtSluent Dy requesting him to stand in the open on March 4 and deliver his address. He favored a return to the custom of inaugurating the Presi- dent in the House of Representatives. He attacked the policy of using the govern ment buildings, and said that until it was stopped there would be no auditorium in W ashington.
 MT. Clark provoked great laughter by saying that he attended the inaugural ball of President Roosevelt and never felt sadder in his life except at funeral, as he saw but few that he knew there Messrs McMillan of New York Olcott of New York and Landis of Indiana led in support of the measure. MT. Landis contended that as it was national func- ton the inaugural expenses should be paid by Congress which, he said, had been shifted by it onto the shoulders of the citizens of Washington, who were compelled to conduct the ball in order to be partially reimbursed.
 Various other measures were considered and passed, all relating exclusively to the District of Columbia.
 Speaker Cannon announced the commit. tee of five which will conduct the investi. gation into the secret service, provided ] for by the resolutions of last Saturday. At p. m. the House adjourned.