Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-05
HALTING STEP
Continued from PAGE One)

There was but one incident of the day
when that cheerful mood seemed to
fail. As he stood in the president s
room MI. Wilson had been telling
Senator Knox that he would not wit
ness in the Senate the inauguration
of Vice President Coolidge as he doubt
ed his ability. owing to his physical in
firmities to negotiate the few steps he
must climb.
The Senate has thrown me down."
he said to the Pennsylvania senator
in reference to battles of the past and
the peace treaty. but ! am not going
to fall down."
Az moment later someone touched
his arm to call his attention to the
fact that Senator Lodge had arrived
in the room as head of the joint COM
mittee TO inform the president that the
66th Congress stood ready for adjourn
ment if he had no further commune
cations to make to it.
Mr.. Wilson turned toward the man
who led the fight against the treaty
His face lost its smile as he listened
to the senator's formal report and
there was in his own tone n touch of
cool formality as he said:
Il have no further communication
to make. l appreciate your courtesy.
Good morning"
Mr.. Wilson'S share in the Inaugural
ton ceremonies remained in doubt to
the last. 1t was not until he had fin
ished the business that called him to
the capitol that the retiring president
made known his final decision. WELD
ing to the entreaties Of his physician
and Mrs. Wilson to spare himself the
ordeal his physical condition would
make of adherence to precedent.
From the moment he emerged from
the White House to mount first the
rear seat of the automobile that car
ried them to the capitol SMr. Wilson
was shown utmost courtesy by Mr..
Harding, who lost no opportunity to
spare the presidents feelings. As he
started the painful descent of the
White House steps Mr.. Wilson was aid
ed by secret service men who placed
his feet on each step and then onto
the running board of the automobile.
the right, Mr.. Harding stepped in and
they rode side by side down Penhsyi-
vania avenue, neither. in courtesy to
the other responding to the cheers or
salutes that greeted them.
At the capitol. the car drew up first
at the Senate wing entrance under
the great steps that sweep up to the
main floor. Mr.. Harding and others
in the car, except Mr.. Wilson .alight-
ed and here the crowd waited Evil
IDENTIFY, it had been pre-aranged that
there should he no public comparison
to be drawn between the big, strong
figure of the new president and the
crippled form of the old. former pres
ident. Wilson rode on alone to a lit
tie used door where he had but two
steps to mount and there Arthur
Brooks, negro custodian of the White
House, awaited him. Mr.. Wilson was
lifted out of the car and up the two
steps by Brook At the top he
paused to change his glasses and an
parently to recover from the effort.
Then grasping his cane, but alone and
unaided he moved through the door
to plod slowly over the three hundred
yards of stone tagging to the eleva-
tor. He passed without heed a big
rolling chair. recently used by Sena-
tor Penrose. who also has entered the
capitol in the same way since his ill.,
ness.
The crowd at the other door had
missed Mr.. Wilson and set out to find
him. They caught up with him "a he
rounded corner. turning toward the
elevator at the other end of the build
ing from that used by Mr.. HARDING.
There We're murmurs of sympathy az
the SPECTATORS caught sight of the