The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-03-01
Nations Capital i'm Readiness for the Big Celebration
When PresidentElect Wilson Takes Oath of Office

Washington. Feb. 26.-NeNt Tues
day Woodrow Wilson OF New Jersey.
will stand before an asscmhlage OF
Americans massed into tho plaza at
the east front OF the capitol and take
the oath which makes him the twenty
eighth president of the United States.
The ancient. courtly ceremony is Il
simple ne. The oath taken by the
president is the same one subscribed
to by the humblcst civil service en-
ploye when assuming office.
The ceremony lacks the pomp and
splendor which attends the corona
tions OF foreign rulers. No princes of
the orient come with their suites to
add barbaric luster to the occasion.
The jails are not cmptied as an en-
preston of rejoicing. The poor re-
ceiNe no largesses.
No special ambassadors arc sent by
foreign countries. And Yet there is
not lacking in the homely procedure,
bequcathed to the present generation
ny those tiercely democratic founders
OF the nation. Il solemn dignity that is
in Keeping with the supreme event of
the greatest of republics.
Crowds Arc Expected.
The crowd which flows into Wash
ington for the occasion will number
between $4,000 and 100, 900, it is now
estimated by those in charge of the
arrangements.
To the greater part of this throng
and to W%ashington's 30O 1000 citizens
who will turn out to witness the cele-
hration. the actual induction cere-
mony, lasting an hour or SO, is but the
least part OF the days doings-the
starting gun. so to speak. 1t is the
signal for the beginning of the froth
and glitter of the celebration-the pa
rade. the p~yrotechnical display when
the last weary marchers have passed
the reviewing stand. finally the cleo
trical illumination of the city and the
carnival on the streets-the spectacu-
lar features of the nations dclirious
day of rejoicing in its peaceful change
of administration.
Picture i'll prospect the M in
the senate chamber and on the plat
form mat the capitol rotunda in which
Governor Wilson becomes the chief
magistrate and President Taft re-
sumes private life. The president
elect has reached Washington on the
afternoon of the day before. He has
been met at the station by a reception
Of senators and representa-
tivcs and escorted to his suite at the
Shoreham hotel. two squares from the
White House. where he has been the
guest OF his cousin, John F.. Wilson.
The Princeton alumni have wished
their distinguished, member success
Of March ).
Seek Choice Places.
Meanwhile the vice president-elect,
Thomas r. Marshall, also has reached
the city. been officially welcomed and
to the Shoreham. At dawn
on the great day. when the chief fig
ures in the national drama arc getting
their soundest sleep of the night, the
earliest Of the crowd have begun to
come upon the streets to get the
choiee places against the ropes
along Pennsylvania avenue.
At 1890 a. m. the joint congression-
al committee-Senators Crane. Over
man and Bacon, Representatives
Rucker Of Missouri. Garrett and Nc
kinley-have called at the hotel and
Mr.. Wilson to the White
House. 1t is the new tenants first
glimpse inside the executive mansion.
But he has only stopped for an in
stant.
President Taft has greeted his sue
cessor warmly, and then both men
have stepped Out into the porte
cochre. entered their carriage. and, es
corted by the special mounted guard
of honor. the Essex County Troop of
Newark. y. j.. have driven swiftly to
the capitol.
This ride has been the fret sight for
the impatient appetite Of the sight
hungry crowd. which by this time has
grown to vast dimensions. In this
drive President Taft rides on the right
side Of the carriage. OF the crowd
along the streets. many probably will
note a few hours later when the car
riage is returning to the White House
that Wilson now sits on the right and
Taft on the left and will make this re-
mark to their neighbors.
Go to Presidents Room.
At the capitol the president and