The Topeka state journal., 1921-03-04
WILSON FAILED
TO Be PRESENT
At CEREMONY
Retiring President Left the
Scene Almost UnnOticed.
Vice President Coolidge Sworn
in at 1921 O'Clock.
PRESENT WHEN CONGRESS QUIT
Schedule for Program Delayed
Half an Hour.
Inaugural Address Finished by
Harding at 1:55.
Vice President Coolidge Sworn
in at 1921 O'Clock.
PRESENT WHEN CONGRESS QUIT
Schedule for Program Delayed
Half an Hour.
Inaugural Address Finished by
Harding at 1866.

Inaugural Stand, Washington. March
AT 1919 p. m. today Warren G.
Harding of Ohio repeated in clear.
firm voice the oath of office as presi-
dent of the United States.
Mr.. Coolidge took the oath at 1921
o'clock.
Before the cheering had died away,
Harding stepped forward and extended
his arms in a gesture embracing the
whole crowd of $4,000 who stood be-
fore him, and started his inaugural
address. Ten feet away with her eyes
upon his face, stood Mrs. Harding.
Almost On Time.
Grouped about were the dignitaries
of his government, representatives of
foreign nations and a vast concourse
of plain everyday American. 1t was
Just five minutes from the hour when
Harding stepped upon the inaugural
stand at the east front of the capitol
until the moment when, with uplifted
hand, he became the chief executive
of the nation.
Harding's voice as he spoke his in
auEural address from manuscript cut
into many narrow pages, was firm,
resonant and trifle husky Repeated
shouts of approval from the fringes OF
the throng testified that his words
were carrying to the very edge of the
vast multitude.
Vice President Coolidge stood at
Hardings left as the new president
spoke Mrs. Coolidge was directly be-
hind Mrs. Harding, whose interest in
her husbands speech was noted by
the onlookers.
Wilson Via Elevator.
Arriving at the capitol all except
President Wilson left their cars at the
cast front of the senate wing and
went up the steps into the capitol.
Harding went at once to the presi-
dents room and Coolidge to Vice
President Marshall's office. Mrs.
Harding and others of the party went
into the senate gallery.
Wilson, unable to climb the long
flight of stairs, was driven to side
entrance and taken up to the presi-
dents room in an elevator
Harding, wearing a high silk hat
and a dark blue Chesterfield over
coat, drove to the White House, to
join President Wilson for the drive to
cane which he carried in. his right
hand. His left arm, he carried bent
close to his side.
In the senate gallery, Mrs. Coolidge,
her two young sons and the incoming
vice presidents S father sat on the front
of the new president
Hughes First on Scene.
Charles E. Hughes, incoming sec
retary of state, was the first new cabi-
net member to enter the senate cham
Der He sat in the rear during the
business session, chatting part of the
time with Governor Sproul of Penn
sylvania When Herbert Hoover, new
secretary of commerce, came in, he
was seated beside Hughes.
President Wilson on advice of his
doctors did not stay for the Inaugural
ton of Harding. He left after signing
bills and went at once to his new
home,
The Harding cabinet members were
grouped in the senate on the Republi-
can side.
Senator Cummins, president pro-
tenn of the senate. presided. and SEN
ators Lodge and Underwood, the two
party leaders, constituted the COM
mittee to notify President Wilson of
the impending adjournment of con-
gress.
THE president has no further COM
munication to send the congress, -
Lodge reported to the senate.
Mrs. Harding Watched.
Mrs. Warren G. Harding entered
the members gallery of the senate a
few minutes before the business ses-
sion. She wore dark blue dress with
collar racing HSnter plue, ana dark
hat with blue trimmings.
The new congresswoman, Miss Alice
Robertson, Oklahoma, carried a bou-
quet of roses and pink rosebuds She
sat beside Representative Briggs,
Texas.
Vice President Coolidge in the SEN
ate was inaugurated shortly after
1920. Wilson did not witness this as
planned.
Harding led the procession from the
senate chamber to the east front of
the capitol
The senate clock was turned back
twice In order to show senate time
conforming to the schedule require
ments. The program. by real time,
was delayed half an hour.
The head of the procession COM
posed of the house and senate press