The San Francisco call., 1909-03-04
ALL IN READINESS
/. FOR INAUGURATION
Mist Hangs Over Washington
at Night, but Day Will
Be Fair
Roosevelt Receives Thousands
and Signs Important
Bills

WASHINGTON. March s.-'Fair
weather Inauguration is the message
flashed by the weather bureau today
Inauguration day will be somewhat
cooler than the local thermometers
have registered for several days past
and the mercury is expected to fall to
between S5 and 40 degrees.
A heavy rain began late in the even
ing. but a vast throng of visitors
tramped the gayly lighted streets just
the same. All are waiting impatiently
for tomorrow's accounts
1t was estimated that fully 100000
people had arrived and each incoming
train and boat was adding its quota
Trains from all points arrived at inter-
vals of a few minutes.
Pennsylvania avenue bore a martial
appearance all day. Troops and organ
| izations in mingling colors and be-
decked with flags to the accompaniment
here and there of patriotic airs marched
and thousands of spectators tramped
the streets and sidewalks. The new
terminal station was almost solid
jam. The great concourse there was
filled with the arriving hosts and their
welcoming friends. Long lines We're
formed at each station gate and the in
pouring army had to run the gauntlet
In the forced passageway formed
through the crowd from gateway to
! exit.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
Trains as regulars, trains as specials,
trains as extras, trains of many sec
tions running on the same schedule,
extra cars, every possible facility,
brought the crowds into Washington.
There ter ticI wi
ors among the arrivals. and military
organizations and civic bodies were
constantly coming in.
The most freakish weather in Wash
ington for number of years developed
during the day. This afternoon follow
ing hours of mist and drizzle, the low
ering clouds darkened the city and
lights began cleaning in the downtown
district. Soon all the stores and offices
were alight.
Men who have been so years at the
White House have no recollection of
scenes such as were witnessed there
today in the closing hours of Presi-
dent Roosevelt's administration. 1t was
unprecedented in many ways. but chief
ly in the hundreds of persons who
called to exchange farewell words with
the retiring chief executive. 1t is es-
timated that between 10 a. m. and IL
p. m. he hereceived at least $500 visitors.
The president stood the test with
hardihood and joyousness. During all
this time he stopped at intervals to
sign bills or to attach his name to
photographs brought to him..
The president signed the district of
Columbia, the Notifications, the army
and naval appropriation bills. The
latter bill contained the provision de-
signed to restore the marines to the
ships of the navy from which they
Il
Roosevelt The Brownsville bill, which
permits the discharged negro soldiers
of the Twenty fifth infantry to re-
enlist In the army upon establishing
their innocence, has not reached the
president, but he said today that he
had decided to sign 1t.
Every cabinet officer in the city went
to the White House during the day
with the heads of bureaus and the
principal officials of their departments.
PRESIDENT COMPLIMENTED
Among the many persons received
by President Roosevelt today were the
members of the interstate commerce
commission. Chairman Knapp told the
president that the country was in
debted to his persistent efforts and
commanding influence for notable
measures of regulation.
In response the president said that
you have done the work, while have
seemed to get the credit for it. l have
tried to be a decent president for
decent people,
The last Roosevelt dinner in the
White House was served tonight, with
IA persons present, constituting mem
bers of the families of the retiring and
incoming presidents. Mr.. and Mrs.
Taft were the principal guests.
The latest estimate of the number
of men who will march is placed at
$1,000, not the least of which will be
the governors of IA states. each ac-