The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-02

Washington. March 2-The Hartford and the Prairie steamed up to the Navy Yard dock soon after daybreak to-day with 1.500 sailors from the At lantic Fleet. who are to march in the inaugural parade. The Dixie is expect ed to arrive from Norfolk before night with 500 or 500 more of the world gird1ers and with their companions who are already here. will take up their quarters in the commodious navy yard barracks.
 Much to the cha grin of the capitoPs residents and visitors. they awoke to find dr1zzle of rain soaking the flags and bunting. The weather clerk prom fses better things for Wednesday. how ever. and after the clouds had wept during half the forenoon just to show 8 decent amount of regret for the dying administration the sun started in diSsipatfng the rain clouds. The Union Station was packed with in now on until Thursday morning the crush of incoming sight-seers will be on the increase. Every hotel is filled to the limit. their halls crowded with cots. their kitchens working overtime and their clerks in a state of frenzy
 Fakirs by the hundred are patrolling the streets with Taft and Sherman badges, Taft and Sherman buttons souvenirs of Washington and catch penny arts of all sorts. The booths where candy. lemonade. sandwiches coffee and ice cream may be purchased have grown at the street corners over night and to-day are doing a land of fee business. Bands, followed by troops of guardSmen or cadets are marching through the streets at inter vals as they make their way from the railway station to their quarters and now and then a squadron of regular cavalrymen dash by with a chatter of hoofs and the crowds lining the side walks give them a rousing cheer.
 In spite of the rain. the decorators putting the finishing touches to the re- viewing stands.store fronts and booths, went on with their work. Last night a test of the lights in the court of honor, opposite the White House. proved en- t1rely successful and at night thous- ands of colored globes will shine their dazzling welcome to all corners.
 When President Taft steps into the White House between one and two D. m.. day after tomorrow to gulp down a nasty lunch. while en route from the inaugural platform at the capitol to the reviewing stand for the big parade, he may not notice the preparation for his benefit. Returning later just be- fore dark when he has more time to look about he may observe even with out close inspection. that the mansion has been put in the pink of condition. Servants have been busy for a week
 
 of furniture that has not been care fully dusted and not a nook or cranny overlooked by the cleaners. The new President will find a similar spick-and- | spanness at the executive offices when | he goes thsre on Friday morning to | begin his official duties. |
 There will not be veStige, however, | of personal belonging of Citizen Roose- | welt remaining. The Presidents pie | ture, which has hung in it's handsome | frame on the walls of the secretary's l room. will be in it's accustomed place | for it belongs to the White House of l fees but John J. Ingalls, autographic l copy of his noted Opportunity which | had a conspicuous resting place upon | the mantel of the Presidents room, will be missing. It is one of Roose- velt's most cherished treasures. A | framed photograph of the Battle Fleet sailing from Hamp- ton Roads which has hung in the outer office. has also disappeared. It was a present from an admirer to the man who made the globe-circling trip pos sible and it is to have a prominent place in the Roosevelt library at Oyster Bay.
 The Presidents desk will be there be- ,ause it is government property and also the cabinet chairs and the table about which Taft sat as secretary of var. He may notice no change in the furniture but the chair which Roose- yelt used at the head of the table is missing. It is already in the library at Oyster Bay but in it's place stands an ,xact duplicate which Roosevelt order d and paid for out of his pocket.
 President Taft will find many con renienceS at the White House and exc ,utive offices that his predecessor did lot find when he took charge. This is because of the remodelling of the man. ion. There is a larger force of ushers md servants at the White House and Ln increased clerical force at the of ices.