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

the building is so immense. and has
so many hooks and corners in 1t,
that many strangers would be lost,
and never see the President.
FREDERICK BERGER. of the Co
lumbia Theater:
NV idea is to do what the ajority
of people want done. If the people
say have the inaugural ball. let
us have 1t by all means. or course,
it has been an expensive affair In
the past, but a beautiful one. and
disseminating IL would mean to do
away with the most beautiful and
social feature of the entire Inaugural
ton; to put damper on the glory
and jollification of this event. For
my part l would like to see the ball
take place.
In Favor of Ball.
MANAGER H. WINIFRED DEWITT
OF Chase's Theater:
/ think we should have the ball.
/ know of many persons who come
to Washington every four years for
the special purpose of participating
In this affair. 1t has become a great
institution, and is, great financial
help to the city. For my part, think
Ii is the money-making feature, and
the only paying one of the entire
MANAGER JAMES THATCHER. OF
roll 1HedltT.
1 never went to an inaugural ball
in my life, but we ought to have one,
by all means. This, / believe, Is one
of the big features of the Inaugural
ton that brings the citizens to
WashinstSn and so T | say lie lets sr 80
il means to people in future years
to be able to say Il danced at Presi-
dent Wilson's inaugural ball. Just
as old ladies say now I danced at
the ball that was given IN honor OF
Lafayette" We ought not to omit
the ball.
MANAGER LYONS, of the Academy
Theater:
We ought to have the ball. I shall
he at the theater that night, ana un-
able to attend. but for the sake OF
the thousands of strangers IN the
city this social feature should be
held. | do not believe that 1t should
be discontinued.
Will Not Hurt Hotels.
FRANK s. HIGHT, manager Of the
New willard:
would rather not say what i
think about abolishing the inaugural
ball. 1t would make no difference to
us whether they have II or not.
w. H. BARSE, manager Of the Shore
ham Hotel:
We already are filled up for in
ness is concerned the ball cuts abb
solutely no figure.
TOwNLEY A. MCKEE, manager of
the Metropolitan and Gordon Hotels:
I'd like to see the inauguration go
off in its usual blaze Of glory with
the ball and all its attachments. but
personally 1t does not AFFECT my
business in the slightest whether
they have 1t or not. Both hotels are
already filled.
R. G. BURKE, manager Of the New
Ebbitt:
The inaugural ball will. of course,
keep people in Washington for one
booked for a stipulated time II will
not make any difference to us. 1t
will hurt the merchants of Washing
ton. but not the hotels.
z. l.. WESTON, manager of the
Raleigh Hotel:
We are all booked up, anyhow, for
the wno.e of the week and the ball
would not affect us either way.
LEVI WOODBURY., proprietor the st.
James Hotel:
We won't be hurt by the absence
of the ball. Few people come into
town to see the ball: they come to
see the inaugural parade. And they
will come whether there is a ball or
not.
rdVOrs GREAT Ulspldy.
WILLIAM J. EYNON. secretary Of
the Board of Trade: - rs
/ am in favor of having the ball
anyway. II has grown to be such
an important part of the inaugural
ceremonies that II should not be done
away with under any conditions.
PRESTON GIBSON. playwright, cotil-
lion leader and clubman:
President-elect Wilson's attitude re-
garding the abolition of the tnaugur-
al ball this year as absolutely wise
and sane from every point of view.
The inaugural ball Is not in any
sense ball, and never has been.
II Is merely a reception where a
great many persons crowd and push
their way around a heated room in
order TO get a glimpse at the Exc
cutive. These same persons who are
so anxious for the ball can sit on
comfortable benches. and watch Mr..
Wilson drive by, save their money.
and not be annoyed by being tram
pied on for several hours. The in
aupuration should not be made over
into a society event for the benefit
,oI a lew persons who wish to wear
handsome gowns and otherwise dis
play themselves.