Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1921-03-10
SIMPLE CEREMONY FOR NEW
PRESIDENT
SPOKE ON PORTICO
Then President Harding Hung Up
His Hat in the White
House and Went
to Work
tAssociated Press)

Washington, March 4.-Warrer
q. Harding of Ohio and Calvin Cool
idge of Massachusetts were inaugur
ated today president and vice presi
dent of the United States. Harding
took the oath at 1913 and Coolidge
at 12:21. Pressing his lips to ths
historic Bible used at Inauguration
Of George Washington, the new
president took the oath administer.
ed by Chief Justice White. Immed.
lately he turned to the vast CROWD
stretched across the capitol pIaza
and began the delivery of his in.
augural address. Sound-ampIifiers
carried his voice to all outskirts Of
the big assembly. A chill wind fee.
bly, warmed by the bright sun swept
the crowd.
At the conclusion of his inaugural
address his small party reformed and
took motor cars back to the White
House escorted by troop of cavalry,
The ceremonies were, If anything,
more simple than those attending the
first Inauguration Of George WASH
ington. The usual morning salute
of naval guns was missing and there
was absolutely nothing in the way
of military or civil professions.
Washington, March 4.-Warren
Gamaliel Harding was inaugurated
president Of the United States to-
day with ceremonies as simple as
those the historians have described
in chronicling the inuLction into Of
fee of George Washington more
than century ago.
Had Mr.. Harding's personal
wishes been adhered to strictly, the
ceremonies would have been even
more simple, but the congressional
inaugural committee made some ar
rangements on its own account.
These included a cavalry escort of
four troops for the president in his
ride from his hotel to the capitol
and thence to the White House.
This little cavalcade, contrasted
strangely with the great military
and civil professions which have
attended inaugurations for half a
century or more.
Besides the cavalry escort, the
congressional committee also had ar
ranged to have several companies Of
Marines in full dress uniform at the
capitol as guard Of honor and for
the presence of the Marine Band
"the presidents own"-which play
ed "The Star Spangled Banner" i'm
mediately after Mr.. Harding had
taken the oath Of office.
The very simplicity Of the cere-
monies on the east portico of the
capitol added to their impressiveness.
Simple and impressive also were
those in the senate chamber, where
Calvin Coolidge was sworn in by
Vice President Marshall and where
Mr.. Coolidge in turn swore into Of
flee the new senators elected last
November.
The days ceremonies began with
formal calls on the presidentelect at
the New Willard hotel by the con-
gressional committee, headed by Sen
ator Knox of Pennsylvania.
Leaving the hotel, the presidential
party proceeded to the White House,
where President Wilson entered the
automobile occupied by the presi-
dent elect. Mrs. Wilson Joined Mrs. |
Harding in another automobile and
the trip to the capitol then was
started.
Vice President Marshall and Vice
Elect Coolidge occupied
the second automobile in the process
sion, while Mrs. Marshall and Mrs.
Coolidge rode in another car with