The Democratic advocate., 1909-03-05
EXIT Mr.. ROOSEVELT
WEATHER FURNISHES FITTING CLIMAX
TO STORMY ADMINISTRATION
Washington Full Of Disappointed and
Bedfaggled Spectators.

theodore Roosevelt, the stormy
petrel OF American politics. is a pri-
Vate citizen. Mr.. Taft took up the
relns OF government yesterday, under
most adverse conditions as to weather.
out with the best wishes Of men of
all parties, who are hopeful that he
VIII accomplish more good than his
predecessor and with less turmoil
and agitation.
lhe preparations for this Inaugural
uon were probably more elaborate
than Tor any previous occasion. The
decorations were of lavish char
acter and extended to all parts OF the
clty' II is thought that nearly a
hundred thousand visitors would have
Witnessed the inaugural ceremonies
hau the storm not interfered. Many
Oh these went anyhow. but great
MANY remained away The weather
man ala mis- best to provide a clear
dhy' even going so far as TO proph-
esy on Wednesday night. amid the
snow and the wind, that Thursday
would be fair. But he missed his
guess, as he too frequently does, and
ne probably regrets that he did not
STICK to his first prediction 'uncer-
tam, which is broad enough TO en-
brace all sorts Of weather. Although
the storm played havoc with the flags
and the draperies, 1t furnished other
decorations far surprising the handi-
work OF man. In the beautiful snow
laden trees.
hundreds OF men we're put to work
early in the morning to clear the
snow from Pennsylvania avenue and
lntersecting streets in the hope that
the storm would cease in time for the
ceremonies at noon, but they made
little headway, and the parade was
practically abandoned, many of the
military and civic organizations never
reaching the city at all. Those who
feached the city were from 4 TO 10
hours late, and hundreds slept In
Union station, being unable TO reach
their hotels and boarding houses, the
street-ear lines having been put out
Oh business by falling wires and trees.
IeleBraph and telephone service were
seriously crippled. and at midnight
mere was not single telegraph wire
OUT OF washington to the North or
west. and only one or two to the
South.
twenty-five large ORGANIZATIONS
from Baltimore had not reached the
city at noon, and a large line OF
specials were held up halfway be-
sIkeen washington and Baltimore. The
electrlcal line was soon put out OF
business, and. so far as known. haR
not yet resumed.
The gay bunting and uncovered
stands that had been erected for the
crowds to witness the inaugural pa-
Tade present picture of delapldation.
Nearly all OF the uncovered stands.
except those erected I'm front OF the
treasury Building, were completely
thrown down by the high wind that
DleW them over after the snow had
weakened their supports. Those seats
that were left standing were covered
with snow half foot deep.
intense suffering prevailed among
the thousands who had come TO Wit
ness the ceremonies and we're left
without places of shelter, The hig
Union Station was filled with women
and children huddled into every avail
able corner, and sleeping men who
even appropriated a portion of the
floor space.
The troops that came fresh from the
army OF Cuban pacifcation were per-
haps the worst sufferers. Chartered
In fiimsy tents at st. Asaphs, va, Just
across the Potomac from Washington.
they were forced to stand the sweep
OF the storm from the hills and the
unbroken spaces OF the river. Accus-
toned to the balmy winds of the Car
lDbean, they suffered more than any
OF the rest OF the visitors.
All outdoor ceremonies we're aban-
doned. Mr.. Taft took the oath al
1870 in the Senate Chamber, follow
Ing the swearing in OF James School
craft Sherman as vice-presldent. The
trip from and to the White House was
made In closed carriage. What
would have been a most enjoyable oc-
easion to thousands of persons was
turned into very quiet affair, wit
messed by few hundred.