The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-04-03
TROOPERS
LINE PATH
T0CAP|T0L
All PrecautiOn Taken
To Safeguard
President
BARRICADES
ARE ERECTED
Police X e erv es On
Duty While Wilson
Speaks

WAShlNGTON, Aprii "a sage
setting betting so epoehrsl a ma
tional drama was found AT the capt
tol Of the United States last night
when President Wilson came to de-
liver his war message TO the sixty
nfth congress.
The president had appeared be
fore congress more than a dozen
times within the past four years bat
about none Of his former appear
ances had there been the giamor.
the thrill and the sober display OF
his visit 10 the war making power
tonight.
Two troops Of the Second Cavalry
were on guard outside the house
wing OF the capitol Silent sentinals
OF protection, they moved in the
shadows OF the capitol building or
stood silhouetted against the lamp
light OF the big white globes about
the grounds.
The KHAKI OF their uniforms
blended with the blue OF many DO
lieemen. drawn from every precinei
OF the city TO do guard duty while
the president spoke. In the GROVE
outside too. were the secret ser
vice men In civilian clothes.
When IL became known that IN,
president would make a night Wal
TO the capitol. workmen were sen
scurrying across the greenswAr'
OF the eastern front. They brough
long boards with them and a higl
fence. OF barricade. was built across
the vide steps OF the main entrance
TO the house wing. The men Lab
ored almost until the hour OF TIT
presidents arrival and when the
bad concluded there was no posi-
bilfty OF any person entering excep
by the narrow doorway that haS
been left open. but heavily guarded
From lighted dome TO basement
the capitol building reflected life
color and history making activity
Two great sesrchlights played upoE
the dome and the surmounting sta
tue Of freedom. Underneath -thii
statue hung four great American
nags. their eolors- resplendsnt, In
spring. against the darkness OF th4
night
They could be seen from altar an,
they carried q story OF patriotism
and the big event Transporting be
meath.
Little pseifst groups had stooc
about the capitol steps all after
noon. They remained. moved IRON
post to post BY policemen as night
fall came. AS the hour for tn
presidents arrival neared. the.
were shunted farther back. No on
was allowed near the police lines
the bearer OF the war message drov,
up to the capitol
Inside the big building. wherein
has been enacted many stirrin,
scenes. there was a tenseness, I,
feeling of excitement such as vet
eran Legislators have never e1per
fenced
The very fact that the president
had chosen the night time to come
20 congress lent an additional touch
OF the dramatic TO the unpreeedent
ed occasion-the entrance OF the
United States into a world war.
The president reached The capitol
about $40. Az bis biz motor swung
around before the east front OF the
big building. two troops OF the Sec
ond regular cavalry on guard saberI
glittering under the arc lights. swept
the plaza clear while the hundreds
OF people cheered.
He was taken Immediately TO the
speakers room and then into the
house chamber. where the senators
were just Cling in Six members oil
the supreme court who had taker
seats In front OF the speakers stand
stood and faced him.
The president entered amid deaf
ening cheers. Never had he beer
greeted a. he was tonight. Both
sides joined with q will
N was noticed, however, that Sen
ators Ia Toilette. Stone and Cum
1 A.lA~A l~H..s A..