Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-03-05
WILSON Sk|L|NGLY
DROPS HIS BURDEN
Gains il, Cheerfulness
Through Ordeal That
Taxed Powers
UNDER HIS OWN ROOF
Cool fReceptiOR For L0dge-Harding
Tepderly Courteous Thousands
Demonstrate at House

Washington, March 5.-Eight storm
tossed years in the Presidency, filled
with moments and scenes that viii
live forever in human history, ended
yesterday for Woodrow Wilson, Gus
plain Woodrow Wilson now" as h.
himself smikngly asserted.
Ua!cr his own roof again as Z
private citizen, the former President
rested last night with his burdens OF
state transferred to other shoulder:
and the shouting and tumult of pIb.
lie place behind him. And through
day that had taxed his broken ply.
seal powers greatly, he came smil.
ingly and with whimsical, humorous
twist to his comments. yet with no
hint at regret in his retirement
from high Office.
There was but one incident Of the
day when that cheerful mood seem
cf to faii. AS he stood in the Presi.
dents room, Mr.. Wilson had been
telling Senator Knox that he would
not witness IN The Senate the insu-
guration of Vice President Coolidge,
rs he doubted his ability, owing IL
his physical infirmities, to negotiate
the few steps he must climb.
"rhe Senate mas thrown me down
he said to the Pennsylvania Senator,
IN .reeesepee to battles Of the past,
and the Peace Treaty, 'bSt ! am not
going to fall down"
A moment Later some one touched
ihs arm ta call his attention to the
fact that Senator Lodge had arrived
in the room, as head Of the joint com
m;ttea to inform the President that
the SiNty-sixth Congress stood
ready for adjournment if he had no
further communications to make to
Mr.. Wilson turned toward the man
who led the fight against the Treaty
His face lost it's smile as he listened
to the Senator's formal report, and
there was in his own tone q touch
of coo, fornlaiity as he said:
81 have no further communications
TO make. appreciate your courtesy.
Good morning"
Mr.. Wilson's share in the inaugu-
ration ceremonies remained in doubt
to the last It was not until ne had
finished the business that called him
to the Capitol that the retiring Presi.
dent made known his final yielding
to the entreaties of his physician and
Mrs. Wilson to spare himself the or
deal his physical condition would
make Of adherence to precedent.
Harding Tendcrly Courteous
From the moment he emerged fren1
the White House to mount first the
rear step of the automobile tina;
carried them to the Capitol, Mr.. vii.
son was shown utmost courtesy By
Mr.. Harding, who lost no opportun'
ity to spare the Presidents feelings
AS he started the painful descent Of
the White House steps. Mr.. Wilson
was sided by Secret Service men
who placed his feet on each step ant
then en- the running board Of the au
tomob;le.
After he sank back into his seat or
the right, Mr.. Harding steppei in
amt they rode side by side dcwf
Pennsylvania avenue, neither, II
courtesy to the other, responding: e
the cheers or salutes that cr~etet
them.
Al the Capitol, the car drew n
first at the Senate wil,g entrance. m
der he great stcrs that sweep up I
the main floor. Mr. Harding a3'
others in the car. except Mr. wilson
::E,eh:cd and here the crowd wal.eo
Evidently, it had been pre-arrtE9e'
hat there should be no public com
,n-;son to be drawn between thn big
>trouc figure of the new PreS:oea
a.. the CRIPPLED form Of the ois 10
Mr. Wilson rode on alone to httl
ed door, where he had hu' tT
steps to mount, and thHse .A.:r-
Brooks, negro custodian Of the Whit
Hose, awaited him.
Mr.. Wilson was lifted out Of th
car and up the Two steps by Brook
At the top he paused to change h
glasses. and, apparently, to recev'
! from the effort. Then, erasping h
y cane, but alone and unaided, he move