The New York herald., 1921-03-05
WILSON GOES WITH
HARDING IN MOTOR
New President Is Gracious to
Feeble Predecessor as He
Leaves White House.
BOTH CHEERED ON RIDE
Disdains Wheel Chair Trying
to Keep Up-Farewells to
Old Cabinet Officers.
Special Despatch 10 THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c.. March 4.

Special Despatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c., March 4.
Woodrow Wilson relinquished the
Presidency of the United States at the
Capitol at noon to-day after signing
thirty bills and resolutions passed in
rhe dying hours of the Sixty sixth
Congress-
He set aside his pen, called for his
silk hat and overcoat and with Mrs.
Wilson at his side walked feebly to an
automobile that was TO take him to his
new residence in 8 street
He went away comparatively un-
noticed BY the crowd of approximately
100, 900 massed in the Capitol plaza to
see the oath OF office administered to
the new President, Warren G. Har-
ding.
Mr.. Wilson's part in the inaugura-
ton consumed an hour and twenty
minutes. 1t proved to be a pathetic
climax to the eight memorable years
he served as President. Broken in
health, bent, limping. the man who had
been the foremost figure In the world
war rallied every ounce of strength at
his command to do his share In the
formalities that go with a change of
Administration
He had to give up before the cere-
monies reached an end and left the
Capitol at IL o'clock. fully an hour
before Mr.. Harding appeared on the
flag draped stand to take the OATH
He admitted he was tired and yielded
readily TO the insistence OF Mrs. VIII
son and Dr. Grayson that he go to his
home. Thomas Riley Marshall, the
retiring Vice President, took Mr. Will
sons place on the Inauguration stand
Starting on Trip to Capitol.
Mr. Harding and the members of the
Joint Inauguration Committee Of Con-
gress, headed by Senator Knox (Pa.)
and Uncle Joe Cannon (Tll). reached
the White House at 1926 o'clock. They
We're taken TO the Blue Room. where Mr..
Wilson joined them presently Eleven
automobiles for the committee and other
members of the party were waiting In
the White House driveway. while a
squadron OF cavalry lined the street In,
front Of the Executive Mansion. It vas
Just turning II o'clock when the White
House doors swung open and Mr.. Wilson
and Mr.. Harding appeared on the por-
tco
Mr.. Wilson, walking at the right for
he still was President, wore a black
overcoat and a silk hat lie leaned
heavily on a cane. He was stopped and
his pace was slow II is perhaps fifteen
feet from the White House door to the
edge Of the portico, where the open auto
mobile was standing. Mr.. Wilson con-
sumed nearly Ave minutes in covering
this distance and entering the automo-
bile but he had no aid until he got TO
the three rather difficult steps TO the
driveway
AS the outgoing President and the new
one crossed the portico they were In
sharp contrast. Mr.. Harding. the pic
ture of health. bronzed from Ave weeks
in Florida, even youthful looking despite
the gray in his hair, in black silk hat
and a semi-form fitting dark blue over
condition Of Mr.. Wilson. Mr.. Harding
gracefully hung behind, noticeably afr
fected. II was Mr.. Wilson's hour
One Of the White House attendants.
the negro custodian Of property, Arthur
Brooks. entered the automobile as Mr.
Wilson approached the steps. Or. Gray
son hurried to Nj. wilson's side. They
virtually lifted Mr.. Wilson TO his place
In the rear seat on the right hand side.
Then a dramatic incident occurred.
Mr.. Wilson, barely able to turn. lifted
his hat as II to say good-by to the White
House. Some thought II was farewell
TO the members OF tho staff who had been
there during the eight years he had been
President. In all probability II was
both.
Mr.. Harding then entered the auto
mobile, seating himself beside MIR. Will
son. He was followed by Senator Knox
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