Evening star., 1917-03-04
OFTEN BAD WEATHER
INAUGURATION DAY
Washington Reputation for In
cIemency Is Nation Wide
and Century Old.
RECORD OF EXPERIENCES

Washington inaugural weather has
won a nationwide and century old
reputation for inclemency. although
there have been a few notable excep-
tions when the skies were clear and
the sun smiled down benignly.
So frequently and SO seriously have
storms and intense cold on March
not only spoiled for many the pleasures
of the inaugural exercises, but through
exposure caused serious illness and
death for scores-a notable instance be-
ing the Taft induction in 19o9-that re-
peated efforts have been made to have
the date of the celebration changed.
On the first Inauguration of President
Wilson four years ago the weather man
dished up very pleasing brand. indls-
tinct contrast to the blizzard that ush-
cred in the Taft regime.
The weather four years ago was nlld
and at times the sun shone with
warmth that was uncomfortabie 1or
the marchers under oVercoats- Ient
south wind famed the city, bringing
balmy air despite the fact that the
thermometer registered between As and
so degrees.
Record Severity in 1908.
March 4. 1909. is taken as the high
water mark of inaugural weather Sc
verify. Down from the northwest
swooped a blizzard such as the capital
has rarely seen.
Rain during the early hours of the
night changed to snow. which de-
scended in wet, binding clouds. blank
citing everything in it's ciammy 1oids.
Telegraph and telephone lines were
wrecked, electric light wires tumbied
after them, street car, service was de-
moralized for hours. and as Tor tne
scores of special trains bound for w ash :
ington, many of them never reached the
CITY at all. The train bearing the 1th
Regiment of the National Guard of New
York, for instance. was stalled some
where between Washington and Baitl-
more, and the regiment got INTO the
city the morning of March 5, and pa
raded past the White House shortly be-
fore noon the day following Inaugural
tion day.
Trains Stalled in Huge Drifts.
All along the lines of the railroads
between Washington, Baltimore and
Philadelphia trains were stalled in huge
drifts of snow, and the suffering and
discomfort of passengers were acute.
Although the skies cleared beauti-
fully by noon, the parade on March 4
was held under conditions that nave
rarely been worse since the chlted
States began inaugurattng PRESIDENTS
By the hardest and most continuous ei-
forts of an army oil laborers narrow
pathway was cleared along the line OF
march. But on either side of this space
marchers paraded in slush ana nail
frozen snow more than ankle deep. -
The roll of those who were made III
from exposure that day has never been
known in full. while the death list, as a
result of the hardships. ran into the
hundreds.
How the inaugural weather has
varied through the quadrennlal perlods
of induction of a President into once
is shown by reference to the historical
accounts of few of these occasions
The second Inauguration of Presldent
Monroe was in inclement weather and
snow was falling Outdoor exercises
were impossible and the ceremonies
took place in the hall of the House
When James K. Polk became Presi-
dent. in 1S45. he had bad day Tor tne
festivities, for it rained almost con,
| tinuously. A procession, which escorted
him to the Capitol stood in the rain
The Inauguration of President Pierce
Is recorded as gala event Inc
weather was threatening In the morn
ing, but cleared up in time to allo"
a monster gathering to witness I'M
exercises in front of the Capitol ane
to parade to the White House. Beror'
! the procession had passed, however, L
began to snow.
! When James Buchanan was inaug
urated, on March 4, 1857, 1t was al
| ideal day. mild and clear. Thick cloth
| ing was found oppressive and in con
| sequence there was a record breaking
attendance at the outdoor ceremonies.
| Inclement weather. with heavy fal
| of rain, marked the inauguration o
! President Benjamin Harrison Marcl
! 4, 1889.
| Democratic Boast Not Verified.
Democrats have had a saying tina
it is always fair weather on a demo
cratic Inauguration day. March 4, 1898
proved an exception, however. Th'
record for that day reads: Elevel
o'clock, heavy snow; II o'clock. rain:
| o,clnclx strnnR Hind The va arietX Wa