Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-27
HIS VOICE HEARD
IN DEEP SILENCE
Congress, Cabinet Members,
His Family and Public Listen
to important Message.
CHAPLAIN COUDEN lNV0KES
DIVINE AID FOR RULERS
Reading Takes But Twenty Minutes
and Burst of Applause
Greets Conclusion.

President Wilson had intense attention
as he read his message to the assembled
houses of Congress today bearing on the
efforts of the United States to bring about
peace in Mexico.
While il was his third appearance be-
fore Congress, no President other than
George Washington has ever appeared in
the halls of the legislature to speak on a
matter of foreign relations. BY all means,
the reading of this message to the MEM
bers of the Sixty-third Congress is the
most important step yet taken by the
President: and the words of the message.
fraught with vital importance to the peace
of the nation. were hearkened to with ST.
lent attention. Speaker Clark's perfume
tory warning to the galleries that silence
and respect must be maintained was not
needed today.
The Senate and House assembled in
ne House chamber the senators filing in
two by two not many minutes before the
President appeared in the chamber. As
the President mounted the platform
where the Speaker and the Vice President
we're waiting for him. the slight buzz
Of talk in. the big hall died away, and
every man present and every woman III
the crowded galleries stood up and ap
plauded
Had His Message in Hand.
The President had his message with
him. in his hand. Without further ado,
he bent himself to the task of reading.
Occasionally he stopped for a drink of
water, and if it had not been for Miss
Mary Maher of the clerks Office of the
hor hov
pitcher of water there. House employees.
not content with placing glass of water
by the Presidents side, thought 1t better
to have pitcher for ice water But no
pitcher could be found. until Miss Maher
loaned her pitcher-a clay one of ancient
usage.
When the House convened but few
members were present. but the floor and
galleries gradually filled up as the hour
for the arrival of the President ap-
preached. The Rev. Henry n. Couden,
chaplain of the House, took cognizance
of the occasion in the petition:
Rule Thou in the hearts of our rulers
and sway the minds of these, Thy serv-
ants. that as nation we may move for
ward to all that is pure and noble until
all the peoples of all the world shall
recognize the purity of our motives he
prayed.
of the Senate to sit in joint session con-
sideration of the Hetch Hetchy San
Francisco water supply bill was passed.
Chairman Clayton OF the judiciary COM
mittee then secured consideration of the
resolution authorizing the investigating
of charges against Federal Judge Emory
Speer of Georgia.
Presidents Family There.
Members of the Presidents family ar
rived early and took seats in the execu-
tive gallery. Mrs. Wilson. Miss Wilson.
Miss Jessie Wilson. Fitzwilliam Woodrow.
the Presidents cousin. and DIR. Harry
T. Grayson, the Presidents aid. were in
the party. Secretary Bryan occupied a
place in the executive gallery beside the
Wilson family.
The Vice President took his place at
the Speakers right.
Meantime the President had reached
the Capitol, and was waiting the COM
ing of the joint committee. Represent
atives Underwood. Fitzgerald and Mann
and Senator'S Bacon. Williams and Root
were named on the committee to bring
the President to the chamber.
Just after the President entered the
Capitol with the committee Secretary OF
the Treasury McAdoo and several other
cabinet members took seats to the righ,
Of the Speakers stand. A hush of silence
marked the wait for the President He
greeted the Vice President and the Speak.
er and, taking his place at the clerks
desk, began the reading of the message
in low, clear voice that penetrated tc
every corner Of the big hall.
Congress Listens Silently.
In silent attention the entire Con-
gress listened as the President out
lined the need for immediate improve
ment in conditions in Mexico Still
closer attention greeted his reading OF
the instructions under which John LIND
was sent TO Mexico City.
An outburst of applause greeted tn.
conclusion OF the message, and floor anc
galleries rose to their feet as the Presi
dent filed out of the chamber.
The reading of the message took abou
twenty minutes.
Immediately after the President left
the Senate began to file back TO it's owY
hall.
Speaker Clark referred the message Il
the House committee on foreign affairs
and within ten minutes after the Presi
dent concluded his reading the Hous'
adjourned.