Evening star., 1916-11-10
HARPER BOOMEDFOR
INAUGURAL HONOR
Washington Banker Is Sug-
gested by Democrats as /.
Committee Chairman.
BALL MAY BE APPROVED

Robert \. Harper, president OF the
District National Bank, will be urged
by Washington democrats for appoint
ment to be chairman of the inaugural
committee which will be in charge of
the celebration IN honor of the second
Inauguration of Woodrow Wilson,
March 5.
John F. Costello, the democratic ma
tional committeeman from tho District
Of Columbia. still Is in New York at the
democratic national headquarters and
could not be seen. but a number of the
leaders of the party in Washington
said today that they expect to see Mr
Harper appointed.
1t is understood that soon after the
Presidents return to Washington Mr.
Costello will present to him the name
of Mr.. Harper for inaugural chairman.
Raised $685. 900 for Campaign.
Mr.. Harper has been identified with
inaugural and other large civic cele
brations in Washington for many years
and has been active in the present
campaign. 1t is claimed that through
Mr.. Harper's influence about $4,000
from Washington was contributed for
| the expenses Of the campaign.
When the recommendation for inau-
gural chairman is made the President
will also be asked to approve the plan
for an inaugural ball. 1t is stated by
all the active leaders among the demo
] Gratis that they feel no doubt this time
about continuing the time-honored Gus
tom of big ball. They say that fouf
years ago Mr.. Wilson did not under
stand the real feeling of the people OF
the National city about the inaugurai
ball, and that this time he viii &C
quiesce in the plans of the local demo-
Gratis.
Wife May influence President.
| 1t is pointed out, too. that this will
be the first big public social gathering
at which the first lady of the land
will meet the most prominent persons
from all over the country. As Mrs
Wilson has been a resident Of WASH
ington for many years she Is familiar
with the custom of the inaugural ball
md the attitude of the citizens about It
Her influence is expected to be strong
in helping to get the Presidents sane
tion. and 1t is believed that she will
graciously accept as her duty the oc-
casion to thus inaugurate a new social
season in the National Capital.
Held at Pension Office.
1t is the custom to hold the inaugural
balls in the pension Office. This is the
only place in the capital large enough
to accommodate the large attendance
that Is eager to secure tickets for this
function. Those who are making ten
tatiye plans for the inaugural exer-
cises say that 1t is practically certain
that the ball will be held as hereto
fore-with the exception Of four years
ago-in the court of the pension office.
Just as soon as President Wilson has
| named the inaugural chairman and in
inaugural ball the local committees
will start working, and 1t IL pre-
dicted that the ceremonies here next
March will be the most elaborate in
many years and will bring a record
breaking influx of visitors. Already
many reservations are being made at
local hotels and the hotel proprietors
say they have never seen more anxiety
on the part of the people throughout
the United States to have their resefva-
tions made early.
Young Mems Club to Meet.
The Young Mems Democratic Club.
organized in 1884. and headed by j.
Fred Kelley, president, win hold a
meeting at the Raleigh Hotel on Tues
day evening to arrange for particfpat-
ing in the Inauguration of President
Wilson en- March 5.
This organization. Mr.. Kelley said
today is the only local democratic one
which has participated in the last three
democratic inaugurations