The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-24
Ceremonies Attended by Practically Every Official
 In Washington
UNUSUAL SOLEMNITY 2 MARKED CEREMONIES
Heavy Rain Adds Discomfort to the Occasion-FieId of Flowers Be- spoke Reverence for the Dead.
 Immense Throng Gathers

Washington. March 2S.-The American alton today wrote the final chapter oi the Maine anc paid it's full measure of tribute to the heroes who were sacrificed on the altar of patriotism H years ago With. wealth of sentiment the bones of 67 unidentified dead, resurrected from the harbor of Havana were consigned by reverent republic to the sacred soil of Arlington National cemetery, to be mingled with the dust of the country s hallowed dead.
 President Taft and his cabinet, both houses of Congress and all the other off cials of the government set aside the day and did homage to the dead. AL though the rain began to fall early in the afternoon, President Taft and his party made their way to the cemetery and remained. bare-headed, in the down. pour until the last coffin had been lowered
 Solemnity Impressive
 The solemnity of the moment impressed itself upon everyone. Before ceremonies at the graves a solemn service took place on the south front of the state, war and navy building. This was attended T Chief Justice White and his associates or the bench of the supreme court, mem bers of both houses of Congress, all off cers of both branches of the military service and members of the diplomatic corps.
 The rain began shortly before the Pres ident spoke. lt started miIdiy but soon became doWnpour As a result, when the presidential party started toward Ar lington they struggled through a sea of mud. The rain increased in intensity and when the. President stepped under the fiimsy canvas that had been erected as a shelter for him, he stood bareheaded beneath d tent that leaked from every seam. One by one the army gun caissons bearing the bones of the dead in & cof- fins. rolled up to the plot in which they wefe to lie. As they came the Presi- dent, his party and the crowd massed at the further side Of the cemetery road uncovered. From across the open chasms
 lIpt ptnned earth e ine the dirges from tie Marine band A field Of flowers upon the new turned sod bespoke the reger- ere for the Maine dead.
 All Business Suspended
 Thousands thronged the streets of the aational capitol when the funeral cortege made it's solemn way through the streets. All business in the city was suspended. The crowds were greater than any known here except on inauguration day. And, sespite the rain and the spring winds, the crowds uncovered their heads when the eoffins came and remained until the procession had passed.
 An enormous throng had gathered at The south front of the state, war and navy building when the procession teaehed there. The collins had been re- moved from, the scout cruiser Birming- ham at the navy yard at noon amid much ceremony. Through the crowd which hned the streets they were escorted to he scene of the first ceremonial. Flushed Glence paid it's tribute throughout the sogress of two miles.
 President Taft occupied a chair in the enter of the esplanade. On his right the cahan minister sat throughout the ser rice, an interested auditor On his left nas Rear Admiral Charles D. Sigsbee sho was captain of the old Maine, and Rear Admiral Richard Wainwright. who Was executive officer of the ill-fated snip Both bowed their heads when Father Chadwick, chaplain of the old Maine, re- ,ounted the scenes that attended the de- strlletion of the