New Britain herald., 1929-03-05

Important society folks In Washing. ton who made the Inaugural Ball a success. for cl,arit,'s sake. (Abo,e, Miss Theresa Carnalt. a popular debutante: Ucnter) Mrs. Gam, sis. was selected with her brother to br rank ing guest of honor. Isishd. abO>c) Miss Bina Dcnrcn. daughter of Senator Denccn of Illinois, ticket committee chairman. RcIow) Miss Marian .Iarlinc. daughter of cA- Secretary of Agriculture.
 Washington, March 5--A social event that is frequently mlSund"r- stood throughol tt the country is th" Inaugural Charity ball given here on inauguration night.
 The difference between this one and the old Inaugural Ball is that the Charity Ball is an unofficial event, and is merely an attempt 10 furnish gala event for the out-of town guests. The Washington diplo- matic set pays little attention 10 it. and the President and his wife do not attend. since it is not official and there IS no obligation involved. IL is promoted for chari'ahlc pur- poses. the tickets arc sold by dthU- ,t,.f, fl, l,f II t1ly ard tine proceeds go into lh' Community Chest.
 There has been no official ball since the Taft administration. Trrsl dent Wilson. N ho felt no interest Tn il. was able 10 diSpenS" with It aS d measure of wartime economy.
 By that time the ball had outli'od it's hriiliance. and become merely an almost unb"nrablo crush" where no one could possibly dance or even move There was never anything exclusive about it, but it did bring out the new president and his wife. the diplomatic set. and the Army and Navy in all their gold braid anl loillldl uni OllllS,
 Regrets Expressed
 Some old timers here speak re- .retfully of the passing of the old ball as just another tradition gone. Anyhow. the history of the ball is an interesting commentary on the growth of a nltion. The first on" was held in Philadelphia in 1153. during the second Washington ad minis'l alton. The first one held here was in 1909. when President Madison was inauguratod. At this time it was estimated that 4"o per mate affair.
 In Jackson's time the ball as given in carusis which is referred to in contemporary accounts as saloon. II wasn't such a high hat affair by this time. but President Van Burcn's ball. later at the same place. was spoken of in the press as brilliant social event.
 By William Henry Harrison time, a theater on Louisiana ar"nue was purchased for the inaugural hall. and there were 2.000 guests. They went back 10 Carusis saloon for President Folks ball and history records bafflng crush. When President Taylor took office. three balls were given in three different places and he visited all three "Tha most jovial ball on record" is the report Of the dance that ushcrrd in the Pierce administration, again al Carusi's.
 A temporary bnilding was erected in Judiciary Square for the Eurhan- an ball. and deficit is reported he cHIsc Of lavish expenditures. Tn. sen,e unhappy condition prevailed at President Lincoln's first ball, at Lincoln inaugural the Patent Offic" was used apparently without great success because it was notable for the confusion that prevailed in the i hat anl coat room and the scant- ness of the supper. General dissat isfaction followed
 Tn General Grants time. the north 7 "lng or lne treasury paftnent was>the scene, and terrific jam was the result Of the close quarters
 His second ball was worse, however. 4 temporary tand was built at Judi ciary Square, and hundreds of can ary birds were imported to give i festive and tropical air, and 2.500 gas burners were installed to carry out the illusion. But arctic weather on the fourth of March spoiled the party, and ladies danced in their wraps and the men in their over coats. and though fine food lad been brought down from New York. ! the guests turned down the ice chilled salads and demanded hot drinks. The canaries, most of them, died from the cold.
 The President Garfield ball was held in the national museum with i 1000 guests The one for President i Cleveland was held in the pension office. for the first time with Sousa's Land behind the palms. and much
 1'gance.
 The success Of this ball was du
 'ira'ed in the ball for President