The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1913-01-17
MEN DEMAND INAUGURAL BALL

.lND lNAUUl
the use of the Pension building for in
auguration week.
1t appears to me that there Is no
doubt that the wishes of the Pres
ident-elect are going to have great
influence. If Mr.. Wilson doesn't want
an inaugural ball, there probably
will be none. Personally, l always
have been opposed to the use of
the Pension building for such
purpose.
Under the circumstances, 1t may be
decided to hold a public reception,
either in the Capitol building, or in
the Pension building This will have
to be threshed out. but / am salts
fed the Democrats will welcome
Mr.. Wilson's suggestion of simple
inaugural and ii goes without say
ing that his suggestion is bound to
have a tremendous weight with Con-
gress when 1t decides the question.
Ham Opposes Plan.
w. F. HAM. vice president of thu
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany:
l think II would be a great mistake
for the reason that a large number
of out-of-town people would lose the
opportunity to get a personal view
of the President and his family.
] think the doing away with
all the pomp in Inauguration is
wrong. there is too little now. and
all that can be retained should be
had.
PAUL DULANEY, a Washington at
tCrney.
The inaugural ball is a part of the
inauguration and ] think II should
be held Just as in former years. The
financial enc of the ball is not, TO
my mind. nearly so important as the
fact that the inaugural ball is a
social feature of Inauguration to
which thouss nds look forward and
the absence of which would be a
great disappointment.
Fisher Favors Change.
SECRETARY WALTER L. FISHER.
of the Department of the Interior:
There is nothing / can add at this
time to the letter which / sent to
Senator Sutherland a few days ago
giving my view on holding the in
aCgural ball in the Pension building.
In this letter Secretary Fisher stated
that he thought the time was ripe for
a fundamental change in the inaugural
celebration, but that it would be pos
sible to use the Pension building II moth
ing else is done.
Sees a Misfortune.
CHARLES C. GLOVER, president OF
the Riggs National Bank:
l think it would be a great mis-
fortune to abandon the inaugural
ball. 1t is always a source OF great
pleasure to very many persons, and
its abandonment would deprive
thousands of the pleasure of coming
to Washington for the event. l
believe matters had been arranged
SO that there would be a minimum
of expense, and Inconvenience to the
organization of the Pension Affice.
While / consider that the discon-
tinuance of the historic and delight
full function would be a great mis-
fortune, ! suppose We must be gov
erned by the wishes OF Mr.. Wilson.
JOHN JOY EDISON, president of the
Washington Loan and Trust Company:
The letter of Mr.. Wilson puts the
whole matter in very complicated
position. I hardly know what to say.
AS soon as Mr. wilson's letter is re-
ceived by the chairman there will.
presume, be a conference in regard
to the matter.
ALONZO TWEEDALE. auditor of the
District:
a
the proposition to abolish the ball Is
TO be regretted The inaugural COM
mittee depends upon this feature for
its principal source of revenue. 1t
has always been the custom, after
the payment of all expenses connect
ed with the Inauguration to devote
the surplus to the centennial inaugu-
ration relief fund. the interest on
which is expended for the aid of the
poor of the city. II the ball is elirni-
mated the probabilities of surplus
this year are small. The fund now
aggregates about $4,000.
Hopes For Big Event.
EDWARD II. DRoOP. president of the
Washington Board Of Trade:
/ think II would be very unfortu-
nate not to have the inaugural ball.
Not only Washingtonians, but people
in all parts of the country would be
disappointed. / hope the President
elect changes his ideas on this ques-
ton.
THOMAS GRANT. secretary of the
Chamber of Commerce:
hope the issue will lead to the
building of a memorial hall capable
of taking care not only OF balls and
such entertainments. but OF great In
ternationaf and other conventions.
D. ]. KAUFMAN, first vice president
of the Chamber of Commerce.:
l think the inaugural committee
should be allowed to make the inau-
gural arrangements. The ball adds
to the pleasure of all who attend the
inauguration, and / am personally in
favor of carrying out the original
plans OF the committee.
Would Aid the Poor.
MANAGER l.. STODDARD TAYLOR,
Of the Belasco Theater:
Take the money we spend in the
preliminaries for the ball, the ad-
vertising. the decorations, the mu-
sic. and the other expenses. and give
II to the poor, TO the persons who
haven't any coal, any trousers, any
food, any shoes or stockings. or
houses TO shelter them That's me.
MANAGER FRANK METZEROTT.
Of the Columbia Theater:
The experience of 100 wears has in
dicated tSat the inaugural ball Of
fers one of the best methods TO the
public OF meeting the new President.
The plan has been worked out very
carefully, and has been a success in
should not prove a success In the fu-
ture 1t is a big, democratic event,
and affords everybody who has the
price, who can dress reasonably well.
and who is ordinarily well behaved
TO attend a beautiful affair. / do
not think II should be held In the
Capitol building for the reason that
eunatism 81