Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-05
Most of Quarters Offered
Are in Private Homes and
Boarding Houses.
FIFTY MEN PUT TO WORK
PAINTING PARK BENCHES
Contract Let for Construction of
Grandstand on Lafayette Square
on $13,950 Bid.

Preparations made by the housing
and hospitality committee of the IN
augural committee for the thousands of
visitors to Washington during the in
augural period have progressed to the
point where the committee announced
today it can now insure accommoda-
tions for 10000 persons.
Most of the quarters offered to the
committee consist of rooms in private
homes or in boarding houses, but in
several cases accommodations of greater
scope have been offered. Four apart
ments capable of housing several per-
sons are on the list of the committee,
while at least one large home with ac-
commodations for nine or more persons,
equipped with servants and with heat
and light furnished, has been offered to
the committee.
Mrs. Virginia White Speel, chairman
of the committee, made 1t plain today
that discrimination is being exercised
in choosing rooms to be offered for the
visitors. eve feel, however, that We
can take care of any number" Mrs
Speel said. Certain standards set by
Mrs. Spells committee for accessibility
comfort and cleanliness have been met
by all the quarters approved for use
so far.
Grandstand Contract Let.
Chairman Tompkins of the grand
stand committee today let the contract
for construction of the grandstand on
Lafayette Square facing the official
stand in front of the White House to
the contracting firm of Skinker IL
Garrett Their bid was $13950 for con-
struction of covered stand to seat
5000 persons and to be of appearance
commensurate with the official stand
across Pennsylvania avenue. Construction
work will begin in few days. The
Skinker & Garrett bid was one of nine
offered. Seats In this stand will sell for
$3.50 each.
Gen. Lewis S. Pitcher, past COM
mander-in-chi of the Grand Army of
the Republic, of Gen. u. S. Grant Post,
Brooklyn, N. Y, has been named the
tenth member of the veterans escort
to PreSident-elect Hoover The 10 vet
Grams will ride in two automobiles di-
rectly behind the presidential party.
Several veterans from Washington and
surrounding territory will be among
those in the escort.
Dress Up Park Benches.
In preparation for the inaugural, the
park division of the Office of Public
Buildings and Public Parks has put so
men at work all over the city dressing
up the park benches, trash baskets and
iron fences with paint so the appur-
tenances of the parks will present a
spick ard span appearance during the
inaugural.
Lieut.. Col. U. S. Grant, Sd, director
of the park office. who is chairman
Of the inaugural committee, is anxious
to have the parks in proper condition
during the inaugural period and is TAX
ing steps toward this end. Green paint
Is being used in the work and while it
is part of the regular maintenance
program. more money is being spent on
1t this year to make the job an impress
sive one.
Following a meeting yesterday of
members of the entertainment commit
tee with theater managers and dramatic
critics. assurance has been given that
the playhouses of Washington will pre-
sent feature attractions during inaugu-
raj week. A meeting of the press rela-
tons committee is scheduled for this
afternoon.