The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-03-04
HARDING TAKES
Oath AT NOON
TODAY
Ceremonies Will Be the Simplest
of Amy in Recent
Years.
WILSON is TO ATTEND
Will Ride to Capitol With the
President -Elect-Will Be
No Parade.
tey The Associated Press).

WASHINGTON March 3.--Aftcr
eight eventful years in authority, the
democratic administration Of Woodrow
Wilson closed up its books today and
rested to await the termination of its
tenure at noon tomorrow.
While the final balance was being
struck by the outgoing officials. War
rem G. Harding. republican president
elect came to Washington, gave mis-
approval to the simple inaugtrar cere-
nony that will attend his induction
into office. completed formally his
cabinet, and finished his part of the
inaugural preliminaries by going TO
white house for a call of courtesy on
Mr.. Wilson.
For his part the retiring president.
provided the last succession of sensa-
tions scattered through his eight years
I'm office by announcing that when he
leaves the white house he will take up
the practice Of law
Meantime, in striking contrast to
the usual holiday turmoil of inaugura-
tion eve the streets Of the capital re-
flected only in a mild degree the COM
Dielt TtdIIdiiEtiIltHN 'hbpbk W ~
in the national government. Flags and
bunting broke out In recognition OF
the impending event and tonight the
dome of the capitol building was IL
Illuminated for the first time since the
celebration OF armistice but the small
crowds which had cheered Mr.. Hard
ing in his movements about the city
had almost entirely deserted the streets
by early evening.
In accordance with the desire of the
president elect, tomorrow's inaugural
ceremonies will be far and away the
simplest of recent years. -Four troops
OF cavalry will escort the president and
the president elect to the capitol. but
no parade will be permitted and there
will be little OF the panoply of former
inaugurations at the taking Of the
oath on the east portico.
Just what part President Wilson
will play in the days program. re-
mained in doubt tonight Although his
broken health makes it difficult for
him to move about. he has prevailed
upon his family and medical advisers
10 permit him to follow out the GUS
tom OF riding down Pennsylvania ave-
nue. with his successor. He also hopes
to witness the entire ceremony, but IT
seemed doubtful tonight whether he
could do so.
DIR. Cary T. Grayson. white house
physician. conferred late today with
Senator Knox. chairman of the con-
gressionaf committee on Inauguration,
and II was understood that Mr. Will
sons part in the inaugural will he
limited to the ride from the avenue
TO the capitol In this stand he is
said to have had the backing of Mrs.
Wilson, but not of the president him
self The result was that the inaugu-
raj officials prepared several alterna-
tive plans for the occasion and will
be prepared for whatever part the re-
firing chief executive finds himself
able to play.
The call OF Mr. Harding at the
white house took place late in the day
after ths president-elect had conferred
with Senator Knox and several other
leaders Of his party in and out of
congress. Mr. and Mrs. Harding, we've
received by Mr.. and Mrs. Wilson in
the green room, and after tea had
been served the four remained to-
gether for twenty minutes, chatting
executive mansion and little details Of
the Inauguration.
The special train which brought the
president-elect and his wife from their
home in Marion, Ohio, reached Wash
ington at p. m, and was met by a
crowd of several hundred people who
fheered the next chief executive and
first lady OF the land as they climbed
INTO a white house automobile at the
station exit reserved for presidents
They drove directly to the New Will
lard hotel where they occupied a suite
u rooms during the afternoon and TO-
night, few knots OF people cheered
Ezthem down Pennsylvania avenue but
in- tho main their progress attracted
MIittle attention.
s.Irst before his call at the white
house,' Mr.. Harding received the
Washington correspondents. telling
Them he had made the appointment
not because he had any news to give.
but because he wanted to begin his
friendship with them while he still
was nothing more than member of
their own profession. He assured them
that they always would be welcome at
the executive mansion and declared
that all he asked In his Relationship
with them was an application of the
golden rule on both sides.
Tonight, the president -elect and Mrs
Harding were entertained at a nr,va q
dinner given at their hotel by Carr,,
Thompson. of Cleveland. former treas
,rer of the United States and an o,-
Hcial OF the republican speakers bu
.eau during the last campaign. The
ruests included Governor Davis. Sen