Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-06
FATE Of BALL MAY
Be DECIDED TODAY
Inaugural and Executive
Committees in important
Session.

Decisive action on the inaugural pail
proposition, whether or not to make
it feature of the ceremonies here. Is
expected, at a meeting of the officers
of the inaugural committee and the
members of the executive committee
in the Willard Hotel this afternoon.
Recent developments are known to
have caused Chairman Mclean and his
associates to give the matter OF the
inaugural ball much thought during
the past two days, and the question
has reached a point where members
of the committee realize that 1t must
now be definitely settled.
The possibility of the ball being
eliminated from the general plans IS
strongly intimated. al.hoilgh Chair
man Mclean and members of the Ak :
ecutive committee today refrained
from any speculation regarding the
POSSIBLE outcome.
The meeting OF the executive CONF
mittee today Is fully attended for the
first time since Its creation: Fred
erick w. Upham, treasurer OF the re-
publican. national committee, arrived
in washington this morning for the
first time since his appointment to
the committee. It is expected that
viii H. Hays. republican national
Washington with Mr.. Upham. will
confer with the officers and members
OF the executive committee. Official
announcement Of the outcome OF this
conference will be made known, to-
morrow.
Harding Approved Ball.
The executive committee, in its de-
sire to give Senator Harding an in
auguration in keeping with the occa-
sion and realizing the popularity Of an
inaugural ball on former occasions. on
nounced that such a form of entertain
ment would be included in the plans, and
the fact was made known to Senator
Harding when Chairman Mclean sub
mitted the tentative plans to him in
Marion last week. These plans met with
the prompt approval of the President
elect, and since then the local COM
mittee has been hurrying along with
the preliminary organization work.
Within the past .;.aS Few aays' noeyer' an an
idea has presented itself. and because
Of this and the fact that the chances
Of obtaining permission, to use the pen
sion building for the ball are considered
exceedingly slim by members Of the
committee because of opposing express
sioIs made at the Capitol. some def
mite action in the matter was deemed
necessary at this time.
Col James G. Darden, a personal
friend of Senator Harding and third
vice chairman Of the inaugural COM
mittee, stated today that the question
of holding the ball has reached
critical stage and should be quickly
settled. He said that he personally
was opposed to the ball feature for
various reasons which he does not
wish to announce now, but which he
would give to the executive COM
mittee.
Mr. Mclean Denies Charges.
Rumors Of lavish expenditures" of
the peoples money for the ceremony
attendant upon the Inauguration were
denied today by a statement from
Chairman Mclean. who explained that
the principal inaugural features are
self-supporting.
"A mistaken idea that the govern
ment is paying the entire expense of
the Inauguration with the peoples
money seems to have gotten abroad"
said Mr.. Mclean, "and this should be
corrected. The government spends
little upon the Inauguration Of Presi-
dent. appropriating funds for the
necessary police protection and the
stands at the Capitol for the members
Of Congress.
'The inaugural reception and ball is
CONTINUED on Page 2. Column 81