Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-05

notable career as the chief presiding Of
ficer of the country's highest court Pres
ident Roosevelt, who became again prl-
, vate citizen of the United States when
President Taft had kissed the Bible ia
consummation of his oath, was quick TO
congratulate his successor in office. being
second to the chief justice In exercising
that privilege.
When Mr. Taft had concluded his ad-
dress he was escorted to the waiting
carriage outside the senate wing ana
! there was joined by Mrs Taft and b
Vice President and Mrs. Sherman for
the return ride to the white house
Roosevelt Is Cheered
President Roosevelt walked out Of the
capitol amid a cheering throng and eS-
corted by r-srly a thousand members o1
the New York county Republican COM
mittee. was driven to the union station
several blocks away, and boarded Tram
for New York and Oyster Bay.
WASHINGTON, March 4.-Washinglou
was swept by blizzard early today and
although President-elect William Howard
Taft insisted up to almost the last mo-
ment that his inauguration should be hela
in front of the capitol building as plan
ned. the committee on arrangements e.
nally decided that the ceremonies sho1iu
be held in the senate chamber.
Mr.. Taft said he did not mind the snow
and the wind in the least, but Senator
Knox, in charge of the program, declared
I il would be unwise TO subject the aged
chief Justice and the older members Of
the senate to the adverse weather cepdi-
tons 40 49,
President Roosevelt and Mr.. Taft were
escorted to the capitol promptly at the
hour set this morning, their progress
through the binding snow being met
with cheers from a thin fringe of hardy
spectators, who braved the elements AMI
stood ankle-deep in snow and slush alons
the distances of Pennsylvania avenue
The presidential party entered the capitol
building at IL o'clock. and were escorted
to the presidents room in the senate
wing.
Up to the time OF leaving the wlits
house Mr.. Taft had his heart set upon
taking the oath in front of the inultltudH
gathered on the capitol plaza M
After reaching the senate, however, the
counsels of the older members of the sen
ate prevailed, and it was decided thai
the ceremonies, for the first time in
score or more of years. should be held
indoors.
Decorations Ruined
A wet, cIinging snow, driven before
singing northwest wind. fell througgout
the night and wrought havoc with teie-
phone and telegraph wires Completely
cutting off the capital city from eofn-
munication with the remainder Of The
country for many hours. Snow and slElsn
filled the streets to the depth of a foot ox
more in places. The wind thrashed many
of the city's prettiest decorations ~
threads. The immense reviewing Stands.
! along the line of march were made weti-
nigh uninhabitable by the swirling snow.
Street car and railroad traffic were Inn
I
the arrival Of thousands who had plann< 1
to attend the inaugural Ceremonies
President-elect and Mrs. Taft spent last
night at the white house as the guests or
President and Mrs. Roosevelt.
would Be Cold Day."
st always knew it would be cold day
when I was made president of the United
States" was the laughing remark OF SIR
Taft this morning as he looked ont ~
the white house windows on one OF rne
prettiest winter scenes.
The snow, clinging to trees and shrub
berry, had transformed the white house
grounds into veritable fairyland Of daz-
zling white and fantastic forms.
1t was 8 o'clock and Mr. Taft had
just finished his breakfast He had
spent the earlier hours of the morning
going over his inaugural address, elirni
mating paragraph otter paragraph. which
ne lnIended 10 omit IN readl1g the d0eH~4
ment today. The address for publication
he allowed to stand in full.
Taft in Good Spirits.
Mr.. Taft said that he had never felt
better in his life and personally the
terrible weather was not hardship 10
him. but he regretted exceedingly The
conditions that confronted the men of the
militia and the marching clubs who han
travelled so many miles to have a part
in the pageantry of the inaugural paraGe.
President Roosevelt who has always
chosen stormy weather for HIS mpsE
strenuous riding and walking expeditions.
greeted his successor with rare good
hunlor as they met at breakfast and there
was much bantering between the two
friends who played today such irnportant
roles in the newly-written chapter q
American history.
With the break of day this morning
the weather bureaus prophecy ot~e.fairs
and somewhat cooler" was found to be
but an empty dream.
The parade planned for the afternoon
will undoubtedly be so curtailed as 70
spoil what promised to be one of the
most splendid spectacles of marching
men e-er seen on Pennsylvania avenue.
Washington il filled with records
breaking throng whose disappointment
Continued on page Seven