Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-04


sentatlves Rucker, Garrett and Mckinley.
President Taft and President-elect Will
son. arm in arm and a contrast In avoir-
dupois. followed. They walked briskly.
theater caught sight Of the two men a
cheer was started. The cheering and
applause rippled over the entire assem-
blage until 1t became thunderous in
sound.
As the applause continued President
Taft and President-elect Wilson pro-
ceeded down the center aisle that divided
the bD1g concourse and mounted the four
steps to the raised inauguration plat
form. The crowd was all practically
standing up now and there was cheering
and waving Of hats and furs and few
flags. 1t was a seething mass of human
lty intensely animated.
Seating of the Notables.
Chief Justice White and Senate Ser
geant-at-Arms Cornelius followed by the
congressional committee of arrange
ments, also mounted to the platform ana
all took seats reserved for them. Presi-
dent Taft and President-elect Wilson
were in the center, with Chief Justice
White on their right and the others en-
their left
Meanwhile the others in the procession
from the Senate chamber were taking
their seats on the platform. To seats on
the right went the associate juices OF
the United States Supreme Court, Vice
President Marshall. Secretary of the Sen
ate Bennett, senators and several former
senators, and behind them were seated
the retiring members of the House ana
the members-elect. To the seats on the
left proceeded the members Of the diplo-
matte CORPS, ambassadors and ministers
plenipotentiary to the United States. their
regalia giving an added dash of color. In
groups back Of them were governors OF
states and their STATS in military dress.
officers Of the army and navy. also IN
brilliant dress uniforms: heads of de-
partments and other officials of proml-
hence.
Mr.. Wilson looked calmly over the
crowd that was watching him lntentiy,
and there was a smile now and then on
the face of the retiring President. They
chatted together internationally.
Most of the crowd watched those on
the Inauguration platform, waiting for
the chief event of the day.
Official Oath Administered.
A hush fell over the assemblage as Mr..
Wilson and Chief Justice White rose from
their seats and stood facing each other
al the center Of the platform. Clerk Nc
Kinney of the Supreme Court Of the
Bible aad Mr.. Wilson. erect and serious
faced, placed his right hand on the open
book of holy writ.
The Chief Justice pronounced the oath
as prescribed by the Constitution and Mr..
Wilson repeated it, every word:
Il do solefnnly swear that l will faith
fully execute the Office of President OF
the United States and will, to the best
Of my ability. preserve, protect and de-
fend the Constitution of the United
States
The Bible was raised and Mr.. Wilson
touched his lips to it.
new President Of the United States
was in ONCE! The hush over the crowd
continued for a few seconds and then
cheer after cheer broke from the assem-
blage. The distant roaring of cannon,
the beginning Of salute of twenty-one
guns, announced to those all over the
city that the nation had become possessed
Of a new chief executive.
President Wilson at once. as the APP
plause and cheering died away, began his
inaugural address. 1T is presented else
where in The Star.
Applause Greets Address.
Frequently during his speech was the
President interrupted with applause
President Wilson was evidently trying to
make himself heard by as many of the
vast concourse of people as possible. but
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