The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1921-03-11
Mr.. WILSON TAKES NO
PART IN INAUGURAL
Accompanies Harding To Capitol,
Signs Some Bills; Goes
To New Home.

lily and physician, President Wilson
took no part in the inaugural cere
monies today other than to accom-
pany President-elect Harding from
the White House to the Capitol.
The outgoing President witnessed
neither the ceremonies in the Senate
chamber which attended the inaugu.
ration of Vice President-elect Cool.
idge nor the ceremonies on the plaza
outside the Capitol, where the incom.
ing President took the oath.
Immediately after signing some
bills in the Presidents room Mr.. Will
son returned to his motor car and
drove back to his new home on s.
Street.
Walking feebly with the aid of a
cane, the outgoing President had per-
sisted in carrying out so much OF his
part of the programme as called for
him TO accompany his successor in
the abbreviated inaugural procession
from the Executive Mansion to the
Capitol. When he departed from the
White House it was necessary for
secret service men to place his feet
on each succeeding step as he de-
scended, and it was apparent to all
that 1t was next to impossible for him
to take part in the ceremonies at the
Capitol.
Mr.. Wilson had been warned that
he would do so at the risk of losing
all the gains he had made toward
health IL not indeed his life. Per-
sistent at first, he yielded at last and
quit the Capitol before the inaugural
ceremonies actually had begun.
Mr.. Wilson departed from the Capt.
tol about IL o'clock, when the cere-
monies in the Senate chamber were
about to begin.
Both houses of Congress at that
moment were marking time waiting
for the incoming Vice President to
take the oath.
President Wilson did not make
known until after he arrived at the
Capitol that he would not attend the
inauguration of President Harding
and Vice President Coolidge. After
he reached his room at the Capitol,
he requested that the President-elect
and Vice President-elect be invited to
see him. He told them that because
of the steps leading into the Chamber
he did not think he could attend the
ceremonies there.
"Goodby, Mr.. President. I know
you are glad to be relieved of your
burden and worries.I want to tell
you how much have appreciated the
courtesies extended to me-"
The President then left his room,
accompanied by Mrs. Wilson, Rear
Admiral Grayson. his personal physi-
clan. and Joseph p Tumulty, his
secretary. He went to the ground
floor in an elevator and then walked
about 800 yards to the exit at the east
entrance. He hesitated once during
the walk
The President first explained to
Senator Knox, chairman of the Joint
Congressional Inaugural Committee,
that he would be unable to go into
the Senate chamber. He said:
Senator, the Senate has thrown
me down, but am not going to fall
down"
Senator Knox smiled and thanked
the President for his courtesy in COM
ing to the Capitol and assured him
that his absence from the inaugural
ceremonies would be understood. The
President then told Senator Knox he
had explained the situation to Mr..
Coolidge. who had been very gracious
in excusing his presence.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts,,
Republican Senate leader, then enter
ed the Presidents room and in a
very formal way said that the busi-
ness OF the two houses had been
concluded and asked whether the
President had any further communi-
cations to address to Congress. The
Presidents attention had to be called
to the fact that Senator Lodge had
entered the room as he was speaking
to some one beside him.
When he did glance up he said for
mally and in a tone contrasting with
that which he had usesd in speaking
with Senator Knox and others:
IL have no further Communication
to make. appreciate your courtesy.
Good morning"