The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-01-21
InauouraI Ball Is Gala Affair
 Marking End 10 Gaiefy of Day

up CO SciHa-CuCuisl d' 'i"iiSSHiSite of 1l6 opera-style boxes, each fer eight. except the central box for the Presidential party. which wls arranged for large group. Royal blue velvet "sleeved" on chrome up- rights and crossbars to form the hoxes. The Presidential box, in ad dition, was carpeted in blue and furnished with easy arm chairs of Llue leather and chrome.
 Royal blue pile fatric, high.igrt- ed with red. gold and white, was used extensively throughout tn c hall Walls under the balconies were draped to height of IA feet witn the blue tflame-prooD fabric, and all archways and openings were equipped with blue velour drapes and valances, finished with golc silk tie-backs and fringe.
 One wall was decorated with an American flag-38 by 50 feet, anoth- CT with jeweled letters four feet high, spelling the inaugural inscrip- ton, a third with the seals and flags of the 48 states and the fourth with 50 American flags and butter fly arrangements of red, white and blue bunting
 To quote the publicity commit tee once more, Tt will be to the people of the United States what the coronation ball would be to an English king" However, few peo- pie in this democracy had chance to witness the "pomp and circum- stance"
 There was precedence for elabor- ate inaugural fetes. Mss Elizateth Oldfield, great-niece of the late James A. Wood, Seattle Times edi- tor, assisted with arrangements for the Truman ball. Miss Oldfield delved into historic records and un. earthed the following information.
 The first inaugural ball, in honor of President James Madison and his glamorous Dollie. was held 140 years ago. The affair took place at Longs Hotel on Capitol Hill in the then 9-year-old federal City of Washington. People were in mood for juEilation because the cGrren- cy had been stabilized and the democratic system was functioning well. The Washington Dancing As- sembly, a group of young bloods about town who had organized in 1902, sponsored the ball.
 Beautiful Dollie Madison, debut ing as First Lady, wore buff vel vet gown with a long train, especial ly created by French couturiers for the occasion It was described as "unadornsd, but supertly cut" To complete her costume, Dollie added pearl earrings and necklace and turban-also from Paris-of buff velvet, white satin and two bird-of- paradise plumes. The reporters oi 1909 who wrote up the funct'on ex- claimed: "She looked like queen!'
 President Madison was resplen- dent in black satin brooches, long black silk stockings. lacy stock and a black ribbon to tie up his pig tail.
 Capital streets of that day were full of chuckholes anu mire, anc carriages bringing guests from AL exandria and Georgetown-the two neighboring metropolises-were said to have rocked and pitched unti the ladies plumes were violently shaken cut of place Guests from New York spent a week enroute to inaugural festivities.
 Thomas Jefferson, first of the 400 guests to arrive in the candlelit was greeted with TT h Jefferson March played by an all- fiddle orchestra. He was followed ry the entire diplomatic corps-the of Great Britain, Den- mark and France.
 When all the guests were in their places, Mrs. Madison, on the arm of a manager" cushep and Presi- dent Madison, escorting Mrs. Cuts his Wifes sister, appeared trium- and soon-about seven o. clock-supper was served. After the elaborate repast, the President left, but Dollie remained to dance until the Negro footmen snuffed out the candles at midnight
 Many presidents have omitted balls from their inaugurals, but those who have permitted such have been honored with affairs. President Gar fields ball was held in the then new Institution. which now houses everything from airplanes to washing machines, stamps and guns.