Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-17

CONTINUED From First Page.)

dian office is located on the first floor Of
the building. which Is used for the IN
augural ball
The inaugural committee, he said. had
agreed to such changes in the ball plans
as appeared necessary, eliminating the
the building. The committee will pay the
direct expenses. he said, of removing
files. etc.
Objects to Admission Fee.
II have a sentiment against holding
a ball in a public building and charging
S. ticket for admission" said Mr..
Fisher and i have suggested that a
reception be held in the rotunda of the
Capitol, and that 100000 be appropri-
ated by Congress- The cost to the gov
eminent would be less than by lending
the pension office.
IF we use the pension building we
would have to turn over the building in
part February Is, So that decorations
could be made
Mr.. Roddenbery asked If the paying
of pensions to old soldiers would be
delayed by lending the building. Il am
layed even twentyfOur hours" he said.
Secretary Fisher replied that the
commissioner of pensions had written
him that if the rooms occupied by the
disbursing clerks we're not disturbed
until March the checks could be ready
for mail on time but that about 10000
claims are paid by voucher, and these
would be delayed until after the In
augural ceremonies, All claims pending
for pensions would be delayed about a
week.
Plan to Care for Files.
The inaugural committee has agreed
to build a building in the park beside the
pension office to house files which must
be removed from the COURT Of the build
ing. If anything happened to the files
the cost to the government could not be
estimated. said Secretary Fisher.
Mr. Fisher said that If 1t was decided
to hold the ball in the pension office he
would cooperate.
The question of the concerts given
by the inaugural committee in the
pension Office the day before and the
day after the ball was discussed by
Secretary Fisher, who said that these
concerts permitted persons to view the
decorations for the ball, satisfying a
pardonable curiosity and giving money
returns to the inaugural committee.
In reply to question by Representa-
tive Roddenbery. he said that Conven-
ton Hall was not deemed suitable for
these concerts.
Senate Committee at Standstil1.
No action was taken by the Senate
committee on public buildings and
grounds today. as had been expected. on
the inaugural committees resolution
granting the use of the pension building
for the inaugural ball. The indecision of
the inaugural committee as to what
action 1T will take, in view Of the sug-
gestion of President elect Wilson that
the ball be omitted this year, caused
pOstponement of action.
Adds B. Browne, member of the gen
eral inaugural committed; Thomas Mel
son Page. chairman of the reception
committee. and Arthur Peter. chairman
OF the reviewing stands committee. ap-
peafed before the committee when 1T
was called to order by Chairman Suther-
land. Mr.. Browne called attention to
the letter of Gov. Wilson, as published
in the newspapers. suggesting the omis-
sion of the inaugural ball this year. and
added that the inaugural committee had
not yet received the letter.
Until the committee receives the let
ter and determines what action shall be
taken upon it, MF, Browne, said. I'VE
ask that action hi. this committee be
Reception Maybe Substituted.
Mr. Page added that In view OF the sug-
gestion Of Gov. Wilson, 1t might be neces-
sary to substitute reception at the Capt.
toll or adopt some other plan than the
holding of an inaugural, ban IN the, PEN
sion building. He united with Mr.
Browne in asking that the Senate com
mittee delay action until the inaugural
committee could present some definite
proposition. - ,.s<.f S..
On motion of Senator Culberson, the
committee agreed to the request. Chair
man Sutherland. it was understood. is to
call q meeting Of the Senate committee
when the inaugural committee has a def
c,,I,y