The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-03-04
President Enters Mansion
Where He VIII Reside for
the Next -Four Years
FINE WEATHER PREDICTED
FOR The INAUGURATION
Clear Weather Will ProIone the Out
door eremonies-Luncheon VIII
Be Served at White House
For New Occupants.

Washington, March at was two min
utes past o'clock tonight when William
Howard Taft and Mrs. Taft stepped from
their automobile in driving rain and en-
tered the White House for the night to
make their home for the next four years.
There was no demonstration marking
the arrival of the new tenant of the ex-
ecutive mansion. He was admitted by
the attendants and with Mrs. Taft went
at once to the private portion of the
house, where President and Mrs. Roose-
welt received their guests simply.
That the President-elect and Mrs. Taft
are quartered at the White House tonight
is due to the thoughtfulness of President
and Mrs. Roosevelt, who, realizing the
convenience of such an arrangement. ex-
tended their hospitality.
Besides the President-elect and Mrs.
Taft the White House dinner guests in
cluded Senator-elect Elfhu Root and Mrs.
Root, former Senator Knox, who is to be
Mr. Taft's Secretary of State. and Mrs.
Knox Representative Nicholas Long
worth and Mrs. Longworth, daughter OF
the President; Admiral and Mrs. Cowles
and Miss Mabel Boardman. The dinner,
which was late in its commencement, was
prolonged unusually but in anticipation
of tomorrow Mr.. Taft found the arrange
ably early retirement.
Personal Incidents.
Like President Roosevelt, Mr.. Taft had
a day filed with personal incidents. The
Boardman residence, where he has made
his home since his arrival In the city last
Saturday, was early filled with callers,
and the demands of friends. statesmen
and politicians on the time of the incom-
ing President were greater than he has
experienced since his election.
1t was just getting dark and the rain
was coming down in torrents when Mr..
Taft heard the strains of Home Sweet
Home" by brass band. He ran down the
stairs and out of doors from the Board
man residence without his hat AS he had
anticipated there was the Citizens Taft
club of Cincinnati, 100 strong.
"Give me the friends of foul weather.
rather than those of fair was his CHEEKY
greeting to his fellow townsmen. who
cheered him Justify. handshake and
a CHEEKY word of recognition to each man
was given, as line was formed which
passed with rapidity under the portico
where Mr.. Taft had taken his position.
This was the first greeting to the Cincin-
natl friends of Judge Taft. They are to
partake of luncheon with President Taft
at the White House tomorrow afternoon.
Yale Class Prominent.
The Yale class of rs, of which Mr.. Taft
is proud member, had their inning with
the President-elect this afternoon. He
drove down town, met them In the rain
and proceeded to the steps of the navy
department building, where all posed for
a group picture.
The news of the day, so far as appoint
ments are concerned, was summed up in
the statement by Mr.. Taft that Beekman
Winthrop, who recently declined the posi-
tion of the assistant secretary of state
had accepted the second place In the navy
department, where he will be assistant
secretary after March 4.
Former Gov. Myron T. Herrick of Ohio,
who declined to be considered for the po-
sition of Secretary of the Navy, today
refused the offer of Mr.. Taft to make him
an ambassador The particular post to
which it was desired that Mr.. Herrick
should go was that at Rome. vacated by
the resignation of Mr.. Griscom.
Willis Moore, chief of the United States
weather bureau. sent Mr.. Taft a telegram
tonight telling him the weather tomorrow
in Washington would be clear and cold.
Good Weather Plans.
Weather conditions VIII govern to no
small extent the time consumed by tho
inaugural ceremonies tomorrow II fair,
cool and pleasant, as has been predicted
the ceremony on the stand In front OF
the capitol will be prolonged in order
that the audience In attendance upon the
within the Senate chamber
may make its way through the narrow
corridors to the inaugural stand in time
to see Mr.. Taft take the oath of Of
flee and hear him deliver his inaugural
address. In event of rain Mr. Taft will
Immediate take the oath and begin a
shortened address.
The programme for the day has been
prepared. From to $3.50 a.
m. the cabinet officers, the joint inaug-
ural committees of the Senate and House
and others will assemble ut the White
House and at 10 o'clock the start for the
capitol will be made by the President.
President-elect, committees cabinet and
other officers. Because of the fact that
there will be veterans in the parade
the hour fixed for arriving at the cap
itol has been extended to 10:45 a. IN.
During the morning hours, Congress will
have been in session and II has been
agreed that the business of the Senate
shall conclude at 10:b when a recess
viii be taken for one half hour. The
families of the President. President-elect,
vice president and vice president-eiect are
->-->---~--~~->-----~~~