Evening star., 1909-03-04

last night to set an immense force OF
men to work clearing Pennsylvania ave-
nue. this morning. The snowfall contin-
ued with but slightly diminished fury at
10 o'clock. The men were able to do Httie
work.
Today's blizzard has renewed the agita-
ton which automatically springs into lie
every four years. for q change In the Date
of the inaugural: The movement TOOK
definite form eight years ago, following
the blizzard on the night of President Nc
Kinley's second Inauguration, and for
time seemed assured Of success.
Intervening March As. however. brought
an amount Of good weather equal to the
bad. Movement for a change of date lost
it's impetus in Congress-
An amendment to the Constitution IS
necessary to a change. 1t is believed that
after today's bitter experience some def1-
mite action may result in the near future
Change in Ceremonies Proposed.
Every one Of the nine senators. all
who were present when the Senate con-
vened at $50 o'clock this morning, said
that in all their experience they had
never seen such bad weather for inau-
guration.
Among the number were such veterans
as Senator's Hale. Cullom and Teller. The
same opinion was expressed by Col Col.
Ramsdell, sergeant-at-arns at the Sen
ate. Every one Of these men had great
difficulty in getting to the Capitol.
It was their unanimous opinion that no
attempt ought to be made to hold the
inaugural ceremonies on the stand in
of course, Mr.. Taft's wishes in the mat
ter would probably be carried out
AS early as o'clock this morning work
men were put on the big stand III front
ice. BY $3.50 o'clock the fire department
had strong power streams Of water at
work for the same purpose.
The congressional inaugural committee
took up the matter whether or not the
ceremonies of swearing in the President
elect should be held outside of the Capitol
or in the Senate chamber. where the Vice
President is always sworn in.
1t Immediately got into communica-
ton with Mr.. Taft. AS late, as 1880
o'clock no decision had been reached.
Immediately upon convening. the nine
senator's agreed to recess until 10 o'clock.
At this hour a three-minute executive
session was held to confirm "a few minor
presidential nominations.
BY 10 O'Clock there we're about fifteen
senators in the chamber. No one made
the point of no quorum.
Worry Over Parade.
"I wonder If there will be a parade?'
This was the question that was heard
everywhere this morning from those who
were attending their first inauguration.
Sure, there'll be a parade" was the
laconic answer of every Eashingtonian
to whom the query was put.
Huddled in doorways. standing IN win
dows, with their faces pressed close to the
panes, hurrying and scurrying from place
to place. making wild dashes for shoe
what would happen next, were the prin-
cipal occupations of the visitors before
the time for the parade to start.
Many thought last night that today
tired at reasonably early hour were not
prepared for the white mantle which
spread over the city and upset many In
augural plans.
The most interesting spot in Washing
ton during the morning was the court Of
on Pennsylvania avenue. Long before
most people were up an army Of workmen
was busy cleaning up the street. Big
wagons were on hand to carry away the
snow.
Loiterers who did not mind the driving
snowstorm stopped to watch the work
To the average observer it was about
as effective an operation as eating soup
with a fork.
But the men kept at it. BY O'Clock
made walking reasonably comfortable.
Troopers Do Their Duty.
Up on the corner of 18th street and
Pennsylvania avenue a few cavalrymen
appeared as early as $50 O'Clock. They
settled themselves in their saddles and
made the best OF it.
Shortly before 8 O'Clock Troop A. Ohio
National Guard, Taft's special escort
hove in sight Everybody stopped work
to watch the horsemen as they made their
way solemnly to the court of honor.
overcoats and fur shakos. and looked less
CHEEKY than they did last night, when
they appeared in the corridors Of the no
tells in their bright uniforms. But they
were there to perform their duties.
All sorts of running comment from
passersby kept things lively in the region
of the White House. The special police
men were the objects of much of the
mirtl1.
Get busy there. Get busy" the crowds
would yell at Special" who, wise in
his generation sought protection from
the storm under the edges OF the stands.
the court of honor, were discussing the
prospects.
"Ah don't keer what happens. Ah'm
goin' toe git In some doorway and listen
to the bands" said one.
Huh" replied another. "Ah'll give
you all the music you hear today. 1t'll
take a good man to toot a horn through
this snow
Strange to say. everybody appeared to
be in good humor despite the storm. By
the time President Roosevelt and Presi-
White House there was a big crowd
fhair q