Evening star., 1909-03-04
VETERANS ESCORT
MAN OF THE HOUR.
Taft and Roosevelt, in Closed
Carriage, Drive to C2piroi.
EARLY MORNING PARAC>
Troop A of Cleveland Guards Person
% President Elect.
SUN STRUGGLES TO SHINE OUT
President and President-Elect Cheer
ed by Crowds on Streets Undeter-
red by Slush and Snow.
SUN STRUGGLES TO SHINE OUT

Under the worst weather conditions that
have prevailed on an Inauguration day in
the memory of the oldest Washingto-
mans, William Howard Taft left the
White House few minutes after 10
o'clock this morning for the Capitol to
take the oath of Office as President of the
United States
For the first time since he became a
candidate for the presidency his weather
luck deserted him. During the whole cam
paign he had but to appear upon an i'm
portant occasion for the weather to be the
finest. That it should behave badly on
his day of days was a queer turn of luck.
But as 1t was the sun did its best to
break through the heavy clouds and
binding snowstorm, as the four handsome
bay horses drew the presidential carriage
out of the White House grounds and into
the Court of Honor through the west
gate. The sun peeped out. casting the
faintest, palest rays upon the metal trap
pings OF Troop A of the Ohio National
Guard, which was waiting to act as the
personal escort of the President-elect. 1t
was a feeble effort, but it did much to
cheer the crowds along the line of march.
Taft Grave, But Smiling.
In spite of frowning weather, the Taft
smile was there. 1t was dignfied smile
this morning, no less hearty than upon
other occasions. Lurking in the clear
blue eyes of the man who will guide the
destinies OF his country during the next
four years was a pensive gleam that in
dcated his full realization of the serious
ness of the occasion and of the magnitude
of the task which his countrymen have
assigned to him.
Even the elements protest President
Taft told eX-President Roosevelt as they
net at the breakfast table at the White
House this morning at o'clock.
Mr.. Roosevelt laughed heartily at the
good natured sally of his successor. but
promptly came back.
Il always knew there would be a blz-
Zard right up to the end of my term"
declared the outgoing President. Again
there was laughter.
Later in the morning Mr.. Taft met one
of his newspaper friends.
''Ha: ha"' he laughed II always knew
il would be cold day when l got TO be
President
After that the two biggest men in the
country prepared for their trip to She
Capitol. The hour fixed for their depart
ure was 1 o'clock. They were ready to
get away at that time.
Vice President Sherman. scheduled to
he one of the part. however. was about
seven minutes late in reaching the north
front of the White House. He was ac-
companed by Senator Frye.
He Joined the waiting party. And in a
few minutes the waiting carriages were
ordered UP.
Livery Supplies Horses.
President Roosevelt had sent all his
carriages and horses ont of Washington.
The team conveying him and the new
President from the White House was fur
nished By Washington liveryman.
1t consisted OF four fine horses. Upon
the box sat the best driver in the city.
Preceding the carriage rode two stalwart
horsemen Of Troop a. Cleveland. Just
behind were two other troopers of the
same organization.
Gen. Bell. marshal OF the great parade.
stood on the White House porch and di-
rected the preliminary preparations.
Asked If the parade would take place.
he answered:
of course. it will. We won't be butted
on the track by a little weather like
this"
Chairman Stellwagen of the inaugural
committee. who had visited the White
House few minutes before TO see that
same answer. He said. however. that
matters concerning the parade wOe IN
the hands of Gen Bell.
battery Of cameras was leveied at
the front door Mr.. Roosevelt and
President Taft emerged. followed by mem
bers OF the Senate committee and cabinet
officers To the White House attendants.
who stood ar the front door Mr.. Roose-
welt said:
Goodbye. good luck
He repeated the same farewell To others
standing around who were recognized by
him. He even stepped out of the WAY 10
shake hands with some standing on the
porch.
While he was moving about the moving
picture man was turning the crank on
his camera fast ne could
Roosevelt Precedes Taft.
president Roosevelt entered the waiting
carriage first and was followed by the
President elect. who sat beside him. Op-
posite MI Roosevelt sal Senator Knox
and opposite Mr.. Taft sat Senator Lodge
both members of the Senate committee
Vice President Fairbanks entered the
next carriage. accompanied by Repre-
tee. Vice President-elect Sherman fol-
lowed in the third carriage. accompanied
uy Senator Frye. In the fourth carriage
were Col Bromwell and an aid.
The succeeding carriages were filled
With cabinet officers In the order of theiI
precedence. Secretary Loeb and Clifford
Inchot taking last place.
.jrs Roosevelt stood at one of the win
dows OF the White House as her husband
and Mr.. Taft departed. She smilingly
watched the movem.n nts.
Ten minutes after the party had gone
Mrs. Taft entered large automobile will
Capt. Butt and started for the Capito