Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-05
TAFT TAKES OATH WHILE
A GALE SWEEPS CITY
Continued From Page Three

today knew no bounds. Owners Of re-
viewing stand privileges and ticket spec
ularors will lose thousands of dollars.
Today's storm-the worst Washington
has known in ten years-followed wealth
er which, for a time on yesterday, was
suggestive of late April. Fog was follow
ed by heavy showers and rising tempera-
ture.. Thunder and lightning played about
the city in the afternoon, and then with
the coming night snow began to fail.
At midnight, in spite of the continuous
fall of snow and the whole covering of
the streets the weather bureau adhered
to Its prediction and proclaimed anew
that the day of Mr.. Taft's inauguration
would be ideal. ..- >-t-s
Professor Willis L. Moore, in charge of
the weather service. sent a message to
Mr. Taft at the white house last night
assuring him through the vale of blind
ing snow that he would take office under
cloudless skies, with a food of sunshine
and a temperature of about 40 degrees.
Down Town Deserted
Downtown Washington was deserted
this morning during the hours which in
previous inaugural years have witnessed
the struggling Of thousands for places or
vantage along the sidewalks of the route
of the big parade. Street car traffic was
so uncertain that few people in the resi-
Dental districts cared to venture forth.
Hundreds who on yesterday had paid
fancy prices for grandstand seats re-
manned at. home regardless. of their pc
cuniary loss. f- ,st r. t~- rre
When Mr.. Taft and President Roosevelt
met this morning in the breakfast room
of the white house. Mr.. Taft's greeting
to the man he was so soon to succeed
was:
''Mr. President, even the elements pro-
test!'
MIR. President-eleetd' quickly rejoin-
ed Mr.. Roosevelt, II knew there would
be a blizzard clear up to the minute
went out of ONCE"
Cheer in White House
Notwithstanding the fury of the storm
outside, there was happiness and cheer
inside the white house UP to the moment
that Mr.. Taft and President Roosevelt
started for the capitol. Vice President
Fairbanks and the entire membership OF
President Roosevelt's cabinet had arrived
by a quarter of ten. -, ..
President Roosevelt and Mr.. Taft LETT
the white house at 1910 a. m. on their
tourney to the capitol. AS he came out
of the front door. Mr.. Roosevelt bads
goodbye to the various officers and at
tendants who were gathered on the portl-
L.
first to enter the carriage, taking the right
hand seat. Mr.. Taft followed and sat
beside him. Senator Knox and Senator
Lodge, of the committee on arrangements,
also entered the carriage, which was
drawn by four horses.
Horses Were Unruly
The two leading horses were unruly ano
one OF them kicked out OF the traces and
for time it seemed that the driver would
lose control. Everything was Strengthened
out in a few minutes, however, and tbs
president and president-elect drove away
amid the cheers of the white house at
PENDANTS. t'
Officers of President Roosevelt's cabinet
also took carriages from the white house
to the capitol, being given. places in line
Immediately following the presidential
equipage. Troop A, of Cleveland. the
famous black horse cavalry of the Ohio
National Guard, which has acted as escort
to a number of presidents, performed
similar service today.
The large veterans escort also provided
for the march to the capitol, was on
hand promptly this morning, in spite OF
the storm, and were loudly cheered by the
crowds which began to gather along
Pennsylvania avenue in the slush and
snow after 10 o'clock.
Mrs. ItOOSeVeIU IN Auto
Mrs. Roosevelt was the last of tie pres
ident's family to. leave the white house.
In the Limousine automobile, purchased
for the Taft family and which had taken
Mr. Taft to the capitol. Mrs. Roosevelt
took her. final departure from the white
house at IL a. m. She was accompanied
by two other ladies and Captain Archi-
bald w. Butt, President Roosevelt's chief
military aide. The auto proceeded direct
to the union station, where Mrs. Roose-
Welt awaited the arrival of her husband
in the presidential suite Of rooms.
Former President Theodore Roosevelt
and party leave Washington in private
car attached to the regular Pennsylvania
railroad train leaving Washington at 3
o'clock this afternoon. At Long Island
City the Roosevelt party will be supplied
with a special train leaving there at 8
o'clock tonight, due at Oyster Bay at
10:15 d. m.