The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-01
People of America Represent
ed by Thousands Gathering
at Washington to Acclaim
the New President.
PLANS COMPLETED
FOR THE BIG EVENT
Reviewing Stand Has Been
Finished and Decorated -
Gorgeous Electrical IlIumi-
nations Stand Test.

Washington, D. c., Mar. 1.-The ad-
vance of the Inauguration influx is
apparent in Washington. The big
uuadrennial entertainment and cele-
tration is about to begin. Incoming
trains today brought many of those
who have been "stung' by hotelkeep-
ers to rent their rooms for a week or
mot take them at all. Inasmuch as
the week begins today for most of
them, they propose to get in early and
get the use of what they have paid
for
Washington streets were thronSed
with sightseers, who spent much time
in hanging about the white house
grounds in the hope of catching a
glimpse of the outgoing or incoming
president, or in spotting residences
where notables were lunching or din
ing and taking up their positions at
the carriage block to await their exit.
The fact that the president eject
and Mrs. Taft were entertained at
luncheon Sunday by Senator Hale of
Maine caused a congestion Of the
thoroughfare in that ordinarily desert
ed residence quarter. AS soon as the
throng had it's curiosity gratified by
a sight of -the-,Taft party emerging
and entering it's automobile and being
whisked away. it's members scattered
to other points of interest.
Reviewing Stand All Complete.
The court OF honor, which occupies
the roadway for two blocks between
the white house and Lafayette square,
was given a minute inspection by the
interested crowds. A handsome re-
viewing stand is now complete and
supplied with comfortable chairs. The
builders tackled the last bits of white
muslin over the pillars and rough
boarding today. A small pagoda-like
structure in the center of the stand,
which President Taft is to occupy
during the parade. has been painted
pure white and looks as permanent as
the veranda of a Newport cottage.
Four immense columns, which
mark the boundaries of the court,
have been wonderfully decorated in
orange. gilt and green and connected
by masses of greenery from which
are suspended great rosettes. coats
of arms and other designs ingeniously
contrived out of wood and rope, we'll
gilded.
Futtering banners. bearing the let
ters T and S interlined. hang from
the several poles which border the
court throughout its entire length,
and streamers of many colors hang
from ropes of green's which are up
held by masts. Intertwined through
the whole mass of decorations are
thousands of electric lights.
Lighting System Tried Out.
There was tryout of greater
part of the lighting system last night
with the result that Washingtons u.s.
Ually quiet and uneventful Sunday ev-
ening downtown was carnival-like in
its appearance. Festoons of many col
ored electric lights have been put in
place throughout the length of Penn
sylvania avenue at intervals of less
than half a square. The effect of
the partial lighting this evening was
gorgeous. Several business houses
along the avenue are erecting i'm
mense light designs. The Washing
ton Post last evening illuminated it's
entire front.
The great Inauguration day parade
has been made up in every detail.
Forty-three white and ten colored
civic organizations in addition to a
body of mounted Creek Indian war
riors. will be in procession. These
will be represented in line by about
$4,000 men and will march in three
divisions, each divided into three bri-
gades. or course there are Taft
clubs by the score, hailing from ev-
cry corner of the republic. Next in
to this class the genus Republican
club" predominates.
Mr.. Taft has selected the old SUI
preme court bible for use in taking
the oath of office next Thursday. The
bible has been in use generally in the
supreme court for 100 years. In this
selection Mr.. Taft makes a sentiment
tai concession to the natural incli-
nation he has always had to serve on
the supreme court bench. He said
today that he desired the old supreme
court bible because it was one with
which he would have taken the oath
of office II he had availed himself
Of the opportunity to serve the bench.
The supreme court bible is little
leather bound volume. stained aud
slightly frayed. So far as is known
(Coutinued on PaA TvUA