Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-17
FISHER GIVES OBJECTIONS
TO PENSION OFFICE PLAN
But Declares He Will Cooperate if
His Protest Is Disregarded.
WOULD BAR TURKEY TROT''
Mr. Roddenbery Presents Amend
ment Prohibiting All "Hoochee
Coochee" Dances-Reception
Plan Is Again Mentioned.

Plan Is Again Mentioned.
George E. Hamilton. chairman of the
legislative committee of the inaugural
committee, appearing before the House
committee on public buildings and
grounds today. practically admitted there
would be no inaugural ball if President
elect Wilson was correctly quoted as be-
ing opposed to it. He told the commit
tee. however. that Chairman Eustis Of
the inaugural committee had SO far not
received the letter published in the news
papers this morning. in which Mr.. Will
son urged that the ball be eliminated.
The letter apparently is authentic"
said Mr. Hamilton. though Mr.. Eustis
and the inaugural committee have not
Yet received it from Mr.. Wilson" Mr..
Hamilton said that in view of the re-
port of this letter, and the fact that
the inaugural ball might be given up
by the inaugural committee. it was adj
visable not to proceed further with the
hearing today. and he asked for post
ponement until next Tuesday morning.
Representative Austin OF tennessee
made the motion for pOStpOnement.
Fisher Again Breaches Reception.
Secretary Fisher of the Interior De-
partment was the first person heard by
the committee today, and ne explained at
length the reasons why it was not ad-
visable to hold the inaugural ball in the
pension building. He stated. however.
that if it was decided to hold the ball
there he would cooperate in every way
with the inaugural committee to make IL
a success.
He recurred to his proposition. made in
hot
public buildings and grounds committee
that a public reception be held in the ro-
tunda of the Capitol instead of the In
augural ball in the pension .9no omee; oco 'ne ne
government to appropriate s1nUO TO
meet the expenses of the inaugural cere-
monies. II
Well" said Representative Austin. re-
publican. of Tennessee. as long as we
have only one democratic President in
lifetime perhaps it would be just as well
TO have the government pay the ex-
penses OF his inauguration.
Judging from present Indications. we
Will have democratic presidents for at
least twenty years to come. and perhaps
we had better go slow. 1t might cost the
government lot of money If We start
paving for their inaugurations,' Repre-
sentative Burnett of Alabama replied 10
Mr. Austin. amid a general laugh.
Could Use Engraving Bureau.
Oscar Wenderoth. supervising archi-
tect of the Treasury Department. told
the committee that at the request or
chairman Fitzgerald of the House ap-
propriations committee. he had learned
rom the architects that the new build
,nc of the bureau of engraving and print
ing could be made ready in time for the
Inaugural ball at cost OF about S5o,Cn
If the inaugural committee should de-
sire To hold the bali there There Is
ahor, two acres of floor space in the
building.
After the hearing Mr. Hamilton and
Chairman Eustis said that 1t wouid pe
preferable to have no ball than to hold
il in the new building OF the bureau OF
engraving and printing. both because OF
the great expense of putting the building
in shape, and because of the way In
which the floor space of the building is
cut up.
Representative Roddenbery of Georgia.
before the committee adjourned. presented
amendment to the inaugural bill plac-
ing ban on the turkey trot' at the
ball. His resolution was as follows:
Bars All "Hoochee Coochee" Dances
That the grant OF permit to the COM
mittee on inaugural ceremonies for the
use of the pension building for the in
augural ball is expressly upon condition
and with the limitation that for the pre-
vention Of acts of public indecency the
following so-called dances are absolutely
barred and prohibited: Grizzly bear
gyrations. the bunny hug tenderloin
movements. the turkey trot' contortions
and all Ike vulgarsms Of the 'hoochee
coochee dance and all similar forms of
gymnastic, convulsive movements sug-
segregated districts The committee In
charge of said inaugural ball are charged
with the enforcement OF this provision,
and the sergeant-at-arms of the House
% nj a t-ar of he San Ia
are especially charged conjointly and sep
arately with the duty of enforcing this
section, and for the purposes thereof are
hereby given plenary power.
The reading of the amendment was
greeted with laughter.
Are you sure you know what the
grizzly bear is?' Chairman Sheppard
asked.
Mr.. Hamilton Immediately said that the
inaugural committee was taking steps
necessary TO prevent disagreeable dances
AT the ball.
Would Be a Costly Move.
When Secretary Fisher was asked to
give his view of the matter he said that
he had expressed his general views on
the subject in a letter TO Chairman Shep-
pard, but he wished to emphasize the
fact that the conditions existing i'm the
Dension Office today made il much more
difficult and more costly for the govern
ment to grant the use of the building
than ever before.
He referred to the fact that the Indian
office is now housed in the building and
that by law enacted last year betv een
$1,000 and 10000 pension checks are paid
out of the pension office, whereas before
only 5000 checks were paid every three
months. the others being paid at the
agencies throughout the country Secre.
tary Fisher also said that the cost to
he government had been from $50 900 10
6lrccf1N
Secretary Fisher said that to suspend
the work OF the Indian office would be a
calamity-even for few days-and tc
give the use of the building for ten days
two weeks would be impossible unles.
the Indian office can be housed eisewher,
and permitted to 60 on with its work
He said that the congestion in the pen
sion building was great and that tn,
space could not be given up The In