Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-03-03
Crowds Which Usually
Flock to Capital do Not
Show Up
GAIETY is LACKING
Ancient Pomp is Shelved in Severe
Semplicity &C The Program-Wil-
son to Accompany Harding.

Washington, March 3.-The inaug
uration of President Harding
approacahs with perhaps less jublla'
ton arising on the Washington all
than in any inauguration since Lin
coln,s time. In the vigorously sim
ple ceremonies arranged, the Re
pui,licans are unable to de-
velop volume of JOY sufficient to
overcome the depression of the DEM
ocrats, depression which many Re
publicans, indeed, share.
This depression was deepened by
the death of former Speaker Champ
Clark, long a power in Washing
tons official life.
Government buildings are raising
bunting, but they are scattered
Pennsylvania Avenue, ordinarily a
futter at this time, before the incom>
ing of a new President, is almost
grave. Now and then a flag is seen
flying from the top of some building
or maybe lithograph of Mr.. Hard
ing is pasted against window. That
is sboat all of the outward and visi-
bic signs.
Even the street pcddler, with MS
panel of medals bearing the likeness
of the new President, surrounded by
tiny bits Of the American colorS is
scarce. Only one was to be seen in
the upper part Of thc~ Pennsylvania
avenue section yesterday afternoon.
He should have scores Of noisy, pic
turesoue rivals. And the flower VEN
dors, SO attractive a feature in Wash
inyton public days, were almost as
few III numbers as his noisy associate
in street business.
In the absence of these street
tradesmcn is to be seen shrewd SEN
singspf the measure of the inaugara-
ton crowd. Tho G experts in meas
urement Of public outpourings fore
saw that no parade and no ball prob
ably would mean no great massing
CT people here. Thus far Their
judgment has been justified.
Yesterday evening, there was a
sparkle of life about the Willard,
where many Of the national and State
leaders of the Republican party are
gathering, with their wives, and
daughters, and where Mir. Harding is
to make his headquarters, after his
arrival in Washington about midday
today. and until he leaves to take the
oath of office. But, for all that, there
is no great press in the Willard lob
bcs, and Peacock Alley has seen
many an evening more populous,
more spirited. In. the other promi-
nent hotels, the same view is present
cd, vary;ngly only in size according to
the variation in the size of the place
Perhaps there will be more people
here tomorrow The railroads offic-
i.ls speak in an almost hopeful way
OF ths special trains that are to come
The hotel people refuse to- believe
that they will not ,have the old, prof
liable jam. Along the avenue small
merchants ard small hotels are sell
ling seats to those who will not un-
dcrStand that the Inauguration pro-
cess:on viii be Spartan in its SIM
pliciiy.
So, in the final settlement of Fri
days procedure the decisions were
sch as would please the severest
cutie OF ostcntation or extravaganza
President elect Harling. after his ar
rival here today, will spend the
Nme quietly until 1890 Friday
mornsng. !.t that hour the Con-
SreSS.ona committee viii call upon
nm at the Willard and, with Mrs.
HaFd:rE' he will accompany the
committee to the White House There
President ard Mrs. Wilson viii, ;o;n
the party.
They will proceed down pennsr,
van:a Avenue to the Capitol N ~
first car will be Mr. Wilson NJ
Harding, Senator Knox and Renro
sentative Cannon. In the next %,
will Be Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Hard
ing and other memocrS OF the Coz
grcssiona! committee. The third ca
viii carry. the incoming and out
going Fice-Pnesident. and anothe
car Will have Mrs. Marshall az.
Mrs. Coolidge. Behind will con
cars bearing Secret Service men al,