Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-03-04
Harding Assumes Office as President
New President Pledges Self
To Work + or Disarmament;
World Understanding Aim

moved on to little-used door bt
tween the senate win and the mai
building of the capitol where Nj
Wilson was assisted out of the ca
The president paused outside G
the door and changed his glasse:
The revolving door was opened an
using his cane. Mr.. Wilson walke
into the building unassisted bu
livery slowly.
The corridors were lined will
senate attaches and others and tn
president smiled greetings at then
despite the evidence of physical eff
fort which his walking entailed.
sympathy With Wilson.
There were murmurs of sympa
thy as the president passed and en-
tered the elevator which took hin
upt withina short distance of tht
presidents room, where he passed
on final bills enacted by congress
President-eleet Harding was il
the presidents room when Mr.
| Wilson arrived.
AS the president entered th'
room there was brisk handclappins
in which Mr.. Harding joined.
Soon after the president entered
the room Mr.. Harding went to the
senate chamber.
Senate galleries except tho sec
tions reserved for the guests of the
presidential party, were crowded
soon after the senate met. Upon
her arrival at the capitol, Mrs
Marshal took a seat in the vice.
presidents section of the gallery
The diplomatic gallery was filled
with the wives, daughters and moth
ers of the foreign envoys.
Chamberlain Says Adicu.
Women seemed in the majority
among the spectators, Colorful
hats, gowns and furs added to the
brillancy of the scene. Before re-
cessing at 1880 for Is minutes, the
senate occupied its time with
speeches of tribute to retiring sen
ators, Chamberlain OF oregon and
Thomas of Colorado, who replied.
The senators abandoned their rules
and applauded vigorously.
The president signed the sundry
civil an hospital appropriation
bills, the resolution voting $500 to
Mrs, Champ Clark and some minor
bills. 1t was said he would pocket
the immigration restriction bill.
After leaving the presidents
room the president elect went to a
cloakroom off the senate chamber,
where he received a number of
senators, republicans and demo-
Gratis.
Meantime. the house had ad-
journed sine die at 1850 a. m,
Families Take Seats.
Mrs. Harding had an end-row
seat in the front row of the sena-
tors private gallery, directly oppo-
site the front row reserved for
President Wilson's family. Next to
Mrs. Harding was Colonel Coolidge
father of the vice-president elect
and Mrs. Coolidge.
The babel of the recess was halt
ed sharply at 11:45 by the vice
presidents gravel, and Mr.. Mar
shall requested order from the gal
lery. The senate then adopted the
house resolution for a committee to
wait on President Wilson to ascer-
tain if he had any further requests
Senators Lodge and Underwood,
republican and democratic leaders,
weren AIMED to act for the senate.
President Wilson left the capitol
at 1855. The president elect Wis
tied the president in the presidents
room and bade him and Mrs. WI
son goodbye. Mr.. Wilson was in
vited to the senate chamber for the
in auguration of Mr.. Coolidge, but
excused himself, saying that Mr.
had been very generous
and understood that he would re-
turn to his home.
The houose OF representative was
to the chamber at 1l:55.
The senate clock was turned back
is minutes at five minutes before
noon.
Senator Lodge soon announced
that President Wilson had no fur
ther communications to make TO
congress.
Senate Scene Brilliant.
Senators and other groups Of CT
ficial guests arrived. President
Wilson'S cabinet filed in and took
seats at the right Of the chamber.
There we're not sufficient chairs
'or members of the house and 9TH
ers and many stood about the
walls.
President Harding's cabinet Off
,ers entered and took seats to the |
;txreme left.
The diplomatic corps in resplend-
mt dress uniforms arrived at le:ia.
When the diplomats were arrlv-
ng the senate clock was turned
pack ten minutes more.
General Pershing was loudly ap-
as he entered with his aide
The general was followed by Ad-
niral coontz, chief OF naval oper-
ttions, by General March, chief Of
taft Of the army. and Major Gen
raj Lejune, cOmmandant Of ma
inc corps, who also received ap-
,lause.
Coolidge Takes Oath.
The supreme court justices.
leaded by Chief Justice White and
Ifficefs Of the court then arrived.
hey also were applauded.
The joint congressional inaugu-
alton committee, headed by Sena-
or Knox, arrived with tho vice
,resident-elect at 1915 ana was
warmly applauded by the entire
ssembiy.
There was tunultuous applause
s Mr. Harding. on Senator Hnox's
rm- walked TO hiz seat In front OF
be yice-pre1dsnt's rostrum and
aced the audience.
Al a signal from Mr.. Marshall.
Continued on page twelvsl