Evening star., 1917-01-15
BIG SOCIAL EVENT
RATED AS PROBABLE
Managers Believe Adequate
Substitute for the inaugural
Ball will Be Provided.
VIEW OF CHAIRMAN HARPER

Plans for a big inaugural social func-
ball. which was omitted at the request
OF President Wilson, took on new life
today. and Chairman Harper stated that
II now seemed probable there would be
some such affair.
This statement was made following
some 'outside work. that called Chair
man Harper and Charles A. Douglas,
chairman Of the reception committee,
away from inaugural headquarters for
several hours. Mr.. Harper admitted
that the errand was in connection with
the social affair proposed for the night
Of March 5.
To Confer With Senator 0verman.
Chairman Harper and Mai Gen. Car
roll A. Devol. adiutant of the inaugural
parade. are to have a conference late
this afternoon with Senator Overman
Of North Carolina, who is chairman OF
the congressional inaugural COMMITTEES.
Senator overman and his committee
have had numerous conferences with
Col. Higgins. the sergeant-at-arms OF
the Senate, and with Elliot Woods, su-
perintendent of the Capitol building
and grounds. so that he has MS plans
for the inaugural ceremony at the Cap
itol well in hand. The conference of
today Is TO work out a harmonious
arrangement for uniting all three
phases Of the inaugural program;
As President Wilson succeeds himself
there will be no outgoing President to
accompany him. and so officers of the
the inaugural committee Will ride with
him from the White House to the
Capitol and returning. Senator Over
man is to escort the President from the
Senate chamber to the inaugural stand
on the front steps of the Capitol. where
the oath OF ONCE Is to be administered
by Chief Justice White.
Increase in Inaugural Fund.
The inaugural guarantee fund was
swslled by several large contributions to-
day which were announced by Arthur
Peter, chairman OF the finance commit
tee. as follows: Harry Wardnaan, $1,000;
Clarence p. King. $500; G. Nordlinger.
$500; Underwood Typewriter Company.
$3.50; Samuel Ross. $3.50: b. F. Saul, 5000;
Frank r. JelIen. Inc, 100: A. NJ Nc
Lachien. 500: George W. Offutt. 500:
Joseph L. Crupper. $780,
Planning Court of Honor.
Working plans for the court Of honor.
on Pennsylvania avenue between 18th
and 18th streets, are to be placed be-
fore the special committee at meeting
Thursday night by Chairman James 8.
Easby-Smith. 1t is intended to make
this tho center of inaugural lavishness
In decoration and dignity, and the
beauty spot of the entire space through
which the parade Viii pass to be re-
Working models for uniform and
harmonious scheme of decorations along
the line of the inaugural parade are to
be shown at a meeting Of the decora-
tions committee in their headquarters,
141S Pennsylvania avenue, tomorrow aft
'ernoon at 4:30 o'clock. The general
plans for decorations will be outlined
by Chairman Frederick d. Owen.
That Montgomery county, Md, is plan
ming to take an unusually effective part
IN the parade was stated this morning
by q committee from that county. which
waited on 1nausurai Chairman Harper
and Secretary Belt at the headquarters
Hotel
They went away enthusiastically de-
claring that they will have one Of the
have the most music Of any section.
Committee Appointed.
Messrs. C. r. Whitney of the State
Department, F. n. Hoadley OF the War
Department and II. A. Banks Of the
Navy Department have been appointed
a committee to arrange for the build
ing of suitable stands at the north
front of the State, War and Navy
building. for the accommodation of the
officials and employees of those depart
ments at the coming Inauguration.
Proposals have been invited for the
construction of these stands. Provision
Is to be made for the seating of about
5000 persons. and these seats will be
sold to departmental employees at cost,
the prices being graded according to
location.