Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-20
BUSINESS MEN HOPE
FOR|NAUGURAL BALL
Presidents Attitude for Little
Display and Ceremony
Delays Plans.
MAY ADOPT NEW FUNCTION
From the New York Sun.

Leading business men of Washington
who are eager to assist in arranging a
big celebration at the second Inaugural
ton of President Wilson. March 5. are
worried but not discouraged by the
view of officials close to the President
that he will probably insist upon q
comparatively simple affair.
Although President Wilson has not
talked over his views on the Inaugural
celebration with his advisers, those
closest to him say it Is his general at
titude that there should be as little
display and ceremony as possible. These
officials say that in their opinion there
will be no inaugural ball, in spite Of
the desire of Washington citizens.
If it is found, the business leaders as
sert, that President Wilson Is unalter-
ably opposed to ball" some Other
sort of indoor semi affair can bt
arranged, reception. promenade OF
something of that sort. In this con-
men that the so-called Inaugural
balls" particularly in recent years
have not been that in reality.
The attendance has been SO large on
these occasions and the hall space sc
small in comparison that there has
been scant opportunity for dancing
They have consisted principally Of a
promenade. and then the President and
his official escort walking through the
hall, with the people from all over the
country massed on either side of a
narrow passageway.
Basis for Their Hopes.
In addition to the Presidents atti-
tude against elaborate inaugural cere-
monies. which caused the elimination
of the time -honored inaugural ball in
1913, it is pointed out that the recent
death of his sister, Mrs. Anne Howe;
the fact that March comes on Sunday
that the prospects are the European
war will still be in progress next
March. are cumulative reasons Why he
will want the ceremonies as simple as
possible.
Local leaders base their hopes Of
persuading him to sanction the ball on
the grounds that he would not be CIV
ing the ball or reception, but that II
would be expressive of the desires OF
the people of the capital. and that ne
would be invited to attend. not as an
individual, but in his official capacity
as President of the United States. They
say that Mr.. Wilson's presence at such
a reception or promenade would not De
as a social event, but as an oficial act
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Speculation as to the decision OF the
President on this matter, of course
also considers who will be named as
inaugural chairman. 1t is taken for
granted that no final word Will be
given relative to the ball or reception
until after the President has had a cor
ference with the man who VIII De IN
charge of the inaugural program
II continues to be the opinion of dem
ocrtic leaders that Robert n. Harper Is
the man who will be recommended tG
the President for inaugural chairman
They say that the official legally rec
ognized organization of the democrati
party in the District has sunanfmously
declared for him and Endorsed and rec
commended him to the national chair
man and that that settles the matter
as far as politics is concerned.
1t is expected that Vance Mccormick
the chairman of the democratic ma
tional committee. will be in Washing
ton again the latter part of this week
for a conference at the White House
An effort will be made TO have inaugu.
raj questions discussed at that time.