The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-03-04
TWENTY.N|NTH.
EXECUTIVE IS
INAuGURATED
Despite Procession Abandon
ment Capital Flutters With
Color Wilson Accom-
panies Harding to Capitol.
COOLIDGE TAKES PLACE
CRv Associated Pressl

G. Harding, of Ohio, and Calvin Cool !
ated today president and vice-pres-
ident of the United States. Mr.. Hard
ing took the oath at 1:1S p. m. and
mr. Coolidge at 1921 p. m.
Pressing lips to the historic Bible
used at the Inauguration of George
Washington, the new president, took
the oath administered by Chief Justice
White. He had chosen the eighth .
verse from the sixth chapter of !
Micah saying:
What doth the Lord require of thee
but to do Justly and to love mercy and )
to walk humbly with thy God?'
Immediately after the adrlinistra-
tion of the oath, Mr. Harding turned
to the vast crowd which stretched
across the capitol plaza and began tho
delivery of his inaugural address.
Sound AmpIifiers Used.
Sound amplifiers carried his voice IN
the outskirts Of the big assembly \
chill wind feebly warmed by a brigh.
sun swept the broad space which Az
peared strangely in contrast Of other
years when it has been illuminated by
ihe uniforms of West Point Cadets
midshipmcn from Annapolis, and
troops.
Pledging his faith anew to Ameri-
can institutions. President Hard ne
reiterated a plea for a return to nor
malcy." for industrial peace, for
friendship with the world. and spoke
again promise to work for an asso-
citation of nations to bring about
peace and approximate" disarma-
ment, But he coupled his renewed
declarations with a fresh pronounce
ment against "entangling alliances.
Keeps Authority at Home
"Amerfca. he said, 'can enter into
no political commitment nor assume
any economic obligations which will
subject our decisions to any other:
than our own authority"
In the midst of his address Mr.
Harding departed from his prepared
manuscript to make reference to the
group of wounded soldiers just below
the inaugural stand. He assured them
that this republic will never be un-
grateful for the services you have re.>
dered." and added that he hoped for
policy which would adequately pro-
vide in the future for those wounded
in war time
While he was speaking a woman
tainted just in front of the stand. and
Mrs. Harding motioned to a secret
/
first lady of the land turned her at
tention away from the inaugural
speech and followed with her eyes
the first aid rendered to the stricken
woman, A marine had led the woma n
away before Mrs. Harding again
turned back to follow the address.
Wilson Unable to Attend.
Yielding to last minute entreaties Of
his family and physicians President
Wilson took no part in the inaugural
ceremonies today other than to accom-
pany President elect Harding from the
white house to the capitol.
The outgoing president witnessed
neither the ceremony in the senate
chamber, which attended the inaugural
ton of Vive-President Coolidge, nor
the ceremonies on the plaza outside
the capitol where the incoming presi-
dent took the oath.
Immediately after signing some bills
in the presidents room. Mr.. Wilson
returned to his motor car and drove to
new home on street.
Secret Service Men Help.
Walking feebly with the aid of
cane the outgoing president had per-
sisted in carrying out so much of his
part of the program as called for him
to accompany his successor in the alb
DrGNldISu 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 descended, and
it was apparent to all that it 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 gain he las made towards
health if not indeed his life.
Ceremonies Are Simple.
The ceremonies surrounding the in
auguration of the new president, if
anything. were even more simple than
those attending the first inauguration
of George Washington. The usual
salute of naval guns was missing and
there was absolutely nothing in the
way of military or civil procession
The only troops on hand were four
souadrons of cavalry assigned by the
congressional inaugural committee as
an escort for the new president, 500
marines for guard duty at the capitol,
and as many regular army infantry
men from Fort Myer for guard duty
along the streets.
Despite the absence of the usual pa
rade to follow the inauguration thous-
ands of visitors and home folks crowd
ed against the restraining wires along
PENNSYLVANIA avenue, or milled along
the sidewalks Drawing a raw wind to