The Detroit times., 1909-03-03
WASHINGTON GAY
WITH CO[0RS FOR ]
INAUGURATION
SETTLING MASS OF HUMANITY
ARRIVING IN NATIONAL cAPt.
TAL-SoLDlERS OF EVERY
BRANCH OF SERVICE.

WASHINGTON, March IA
heavy. driving rainstorm struck
Washington shortly before 1
o'clock this afternoon. sending
CONSERVATION and regret to the
hearts Of tens OF thousands Of
persons here. At the weather
bureau IL was said, however, that
the forecast for tomorrow 10 flair
and somewhat COLDER" and that
the present storm will cease late
this afternoon or this evening.
WASHINGTON, March 3.-With the
Inauguration OF President-elect Will
liam ii. Taft one day away, Washing
ton, en- fete and brilliantly decorated
TOR the occasion, awaits the dawn OF
tomorrow with Impotence.
The thrush OF visitors today Is
greater by far than yesterday. Every
train rolling into the big union station
is filed with Inauguration crowds, and
the railway men are working night
and day TO handle the arrivals. Trains
are seen for miles along the tracks.
while there are hundreds OF private
and sleeping cars occupied by those
who arrived in them, distributed
around the city on railway .sidings.
Many governors with their staffs have
arrived and others are due today.
Military and civic organizations are
arriving every hour today. The naval
brigade from the battleship fleet at
Hampton Roads Is here and the blue
Jackets are enjoying the first long
shore liberty they have had In many
months Soldiers of every branch or
the service can be seen on the streets.
interspersed with the thousands OF
visitors, who stroll up and down or
visit the many points OF interest In
Washington. Mount Vernon, the home
and tomb OF Washington. is favorite
pilgrimage for visitors, and thousands
have been there and are going there
today.
Decorations all over the city are
up and historic Pennsylvania-ave. is
gay with fiuttering flags. bunting Ia
the national colors and also inaugura-
ton colors. green and white. Last
night the electric Illumination effects
were tested, and from the capitol to
the court of honor in front OF the
White House ii was brilliant almost
beyond expression. Under the lights
the court OF honor presented beau
tiful effect. Until long after midnight
the vast crowds surged up and down
Pennsylvania-ave.. admiring the shop
windows. the decorated city and the
illumination.
Today the few remaining details 10.
tomorrow function are being ar
ranged. and by night all arrangements
for the ceremonies that will usher In
the Taft administration will have
been completed.
Senator Daniel in behalf or the
Democrats OF the senate, will present
a loving cup to Nice-President Fair.
banks this afternoon, the presentation
taking place in the vice presidents
office A beautiful silver service, cost.
ing 81 1885 will also be presented to
the vice president by Senator McCum-
Der In behalf Of the entire senate.
IL has always been the custom 10
allow the president OF the senate when
he assumes Office to select a handsome
inkstand The senate pays for IL and
permits the president To take II with
him when he leaves Office. Vice Pres
ident Fairbanks four years ago order
ed an inkstand from a well known
New York firm OF silversmiths. costing
$500. The price paid has caused
great deal Of comment on the part OF
certain senators, and today Vice Pres
ident Fairbanks sent a check for 5000
to the clerk OF the senate authorizing
him To apply ii as part payment for
the inkstand In question.