Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-31
SOL0NS MAY YIELD
Probable Use of Pension Of
flee for inaugural Ball.
NATTER UP TO CONGRESS
Recognition of Precedent by Mem
bers of Both Houses.
NO OTHER BUILDING SUITABLE
Increase in Guarantee Fund for the
Inauguration Ceremonies-Com-
mittee on Fireworks Named.

That Congress will permit the use
OF the pension building for the inau.
gura1 ball. notwithstanding opposition
that may arise to this plan. was the
opinion expressed by leaders in the
Senate and House today. Representa-.
tive Morris Sheppard. chairman of the
committee on public buildings and
grounds of the House, said he did no,
anticipate opposing a resolution re
questing Congress to grant the use oi
the building for the ball, although he
would give consideration to any argu-
ments that might be brought agains,
the proposition. He said he recognized
the fact that the inaugural ball had
become a precedent, and that the use
Of the pension building had also be-
come a precedent.
Representative Underwood, majorit,
leader of the House. has already gone or
record as not opposing the plan, pro-
vided the inaugural committee make.
the request, and he has said that he be
lieved the use of the building would bt
granted.
Senator Sutherland's Views.
Senator Sutherland of Utah, chairman
of the Senate committee on public build
ings and grounds, said today that, while
he deplored the fact that the pension
building was required for this purpose
he did not expect to oppose a resolution
asking for the building. He pointed out
that the Senate has passed two bill:
which, if passed by the House, would &c
far toward making a demand for the
pension building unnecessary in the flu
ture.
One calls for the erection of a great
armory for the National Guard of the
District, and the other authorizes the use
Of the site of the old Pennsylvania rail-
road station, at 9Th and B streets north
west, for the erection Of George Wash
ington memorial hall.
Opposition to the use of Pension build
ing for the ball is an old story. There
has been objection made every four years
since the first ball was held there. The
opponents to the use of the building
point to the fact that two weeks or more
of working time is lost by the government
clerks employed in those parts of the
building used for the ball. and to the
fact that invaluable records would be
lost in case of fire.
Capitol Building Suggested.
A plan has been suggested whereby the
Capitol might be used for the inaugural
ball. The government. it was said today.
may be asked to appropriate all the
money necessary for giving the ball there.
The tickets could be distributed to the
members of Congress, to the members OF
the inaugural committee and to other
officiaIs entitled to them. These officials
in turn would distribute the tickets to
the persons wishing to attend the ball.
1t was estimated that 10000 persons
might attend the ball at the Capitol. The
governors of the various states would DE
rnn
of the Capitol each governor might hold
his own personal reception after paying
his respects to the President and Vice
President, it was said.
Congress, however, has always raised
very serious objection to allowing the
use Of the Capitol building for any pur-
pose other than the regular legislative
business. and it is probable that strong
opposition would be made to the plan
for its use for an inaugural ball.
Guarantee Fund Growing.
The inaugural guarantee fund passed
the fifty-thousand-d dollar mark this aft
ernoon. Corcoran Thorn. chairman of
the finance committee. this afternoon an
nounced that a total Of $50. $50 had been
subscribed. The new subscriptions were
as follows: John r. Mclean. $1,000;
Washington Gas Light Company $1,000;
Chris. f1euTICn oISWh6 SOApdHys
II. Rozier Dulany. $500; O. H. P. John
son. $3.50: John T. Devine. $3.50: National
Capital. Brewing Company. $500: Albert
Carry, s5OO; John B. Larner. 500: Albion
K. Paris. 5000: Rudolph & West Com
pany. $3.50: H. 8. Matthews. 500: P. s.
Pearsail. 500: Charles E. Howe, $50:
o-Kalon Wine Company. Incorporated.
through E. ]. McQuade. $50; J. NJ. Ford
& Son, 800: r. P. Andrews Paper Com
pany. $3.50: Alfred B. Leet. 5000; A. LIS
ner. $500
The finance committee will hold it's first
meeting this afternoon at 4 O'Clock In
the cabinet room OF the New Willard
Hotel. At that time the committee will
decide upon the general call for funds
which IL to be issued. and other details.
Committee on Fireworks Appointed.
Chairman Isaac Cans OF the committee
on fireworks today announced the appoint
ment of his committee as follows; Isaac
Cans, chairman: Frederick A. Fenning
vice chairman: w. T. GallIher. second
vice chairman: Thomas Grant. secretary:
Earl Goodwin. assistant secretary; Alvin