Evening star., 1917-03-05
Hours Before Ceremonies City
Is Astir, Making Final Prep
arations for Show.
PRESIDENT UP BETIMES
PROOFREADING SPEECH
Two Regiments Of New York Guards
men, Detailed ON Avenue.
Bronzed From Border.
President Wilson took the oath Mt
12,45 pm.
Vice President Marxhall took the oath
at 1868 pm.

12,4S pm.
Vice President MarshaIl took the oatl
Sunlight, which broke warn
and bright through the chill
murky atmosphere OF the earl,
morning, brought gladness to tn
hearts of many thousands VIII,
have for the last couple of day
been trarnping the wet street
under a downpour, trying to se'
what sights OF the capital the,
could, in spite of the storm,
weather.
When the sun made its ap
pearance a few minutes after {
O'Clock, just as the crowds along
the line of march were forming
at the curbstones, cheer Wen
up all along the line from tn,
Capitol to the White House ane
III all other parts of the city.
Never was the sun more welcome. 1
dried up many of the observation
stands and the asphalt marching sur.
face of Pennsylvania avenue. ant
caused the flags and bunting that hat
been hanging sodden to frisk in tn,
1ievHt
color.
Inauguration day began under leader
clouds that threatened to spill rain OF
snow at any moment. A cold. raw win6
whipped the rain-soaked decorations OF
the capital and swept the water-logged
srandstands, which have stood under
drenching downpours for nearly q
week.
Washingtonians Astir Early.
Hours before the time for the cere-
making the final preparations for the
show.
Pennsylvania avenue was covered
with a thick coating OF fine sand to
dry the route of the procession.
Troops. assigned to the Presidents
guard or to the procession, were paov-
,
platoons of Boy Scouts assigned to as
eist In preserving order were marching &
to their posts.
Thousands Of spectators, who had no
pack the Avenue behind the lines of
stout steel cables. strung from the
White House to the Capitol. to keep the
Avenue absolutely clear of everything.
and feeling in fine condition for the
celebration. He arose about 8 o'clock
and took breakfast before 9 with men,
bsrs of his family and his house guests
He had no engagements before the
at IL o'clock
His inaugural address, which was
sent to the public printer late last
night. was returned to the White House
early this morning and finally gone
over by the President.
President in Good Condition.
The President had a touch of colo
yesterday. but was better this morning
and. although worried over the inter
national situation. was said by hi,
physician to be in good condition for tn,
inaugural ceremonies.
Sunshine Dries the Stands.
The wind switched about and stirred
up the rainy looking clouds and com
blue patches appeared in the sky. The1
the sun broke through and flooded tn,
soaking streets and stands with it
warm rays for a few moments, onI,
to disappear again. 1t began to lool
as IL it might clear up enough to ayoIt
rain or snow, at any rate
Just before 10 o'clock the 18th an,
69th regiments OF the New York M
tional Guard began moving to thei,
positions along Pennsylvania avenue
where they were detailed to line tn,
street while the President was passing
Ihe l2th was placed along from tn,
White House toward the Capitol. am
the 69th was detailed from the Canito
toward the White House Bronzed a m,
hardened by months OF SERVICE on tn,
Mexican border. the regiments present
ed nne appearance as they sWun.
aiong IN their long heavy olive .dral
ulsters f.-
At 10 o'clock Mai. Gen. Scott, gran,
ilaIshal or the Inaugural procession
court OF the State. War and Navy buiId
ing. The staff was composed mainI,
OF more than fifty regular army officers
headed by Maj. Gen. Bliss as chief
Iney assembled in column of fours, an,
with platoons- in order from front d
rear, ready TO swing out into Executty
avenue and over to the front OF TN
White House grounds into the court O
honor.
Street Troops in Position.
An hour before the time for the Pres
ident TO pass from the White House 4
the Capitol. the New York troops wer
all in their positions. lined up will
their backs TO the crowd, standing n
rest. with the butts of their rifles n,
'he pavement. The men were space.
about eight or ten feet anart and m
two long lines of live drab stood ~,
In sharp contrast to the crowd benin,
them 1t was the FIRST time since IN
nrst inaugural Of Lincoln that troop
had been used to guard the line O
march. Then, as now, the country wa
at a great crisis.
Meanwhile. cadets from Culver Mill
tary Academy were forming at Vic
President Marshall's hotel. ready to es
cort the Vice President and Mrs, Mar
shall TO the White House to toin IN
presidential party for the march to IN
Capitol. The celebrated Black Hors
Troop was the Vice Presidents escort
While things were getting into mo
tion about the White House, Iast-min
ute preparedness were rapidly takinI
form at the Capitol. Senators were a Z
sembling for the special session an
their part of the inaugural ceremonie.
and the great crowd on the plaza wa
gathering for the outdoor exercises, a
which the President delivers his inau
gural address.
Departure From White House.
Promptly at 1880 the gran
rgarshars STAFF swung over throug
the court of honor and halted so tina
the first platoOn was oDDosite the m a 1