The Idaho recorder., 1921-03-11
SIMPLICITY MARKS
THE INAUGURATION
CHANoE OF ADMINISTRATION is
DRAMATIC WITHOUT cERE.
MoNY OR PoMP
Mr.. WILSON Is NOT PRESENT
Outgoing President speeded to His
Home While Incoming Official is
Taking Oath.-Usuai Crowds
at Ocasion Are Absent

Washington. March 5.-The reins Of
presidential authority passed from
Woodrow Wilson to Warren G. Hard.
Ing yesterday in an inaugural cere-
ihony, the simplest and most dramatic
or a generation. The drama centered
about the retirement OF Woodrow VIII
son TO private life Insistent to the
last moment that he would carry out
II retiring presidents customary part
In the ceremonies, Mr.. Wilson finally
Yielded to the pleading of relatives aud
The warning of his physician that he
might endanger hi, life, and only ac-
rompanied his successor to the capt.
toll
As he descended from the White
House portico to enter the waiting au-
fomobile. secret service men placed his
feet on each descending step; when he
left the car to enter the capitol he
was practically lifted up n short flight
Of steps by an attendant. and although
he walked alone with the aid Of cane
to the presidents room. where he sign
ed bills, he told Senator Knox chair
committee that he WAS not equal to
anticipating in the ceremony of inaugu-
rating Vice President Coolidge In the
~~enatp chamber nor in the ceremony
hf inaugurating President Harding on
the portico facing the plaza outside.
Before Mr.. Harding had been pres
ident an hour he had revived prece-
do, h,-f l.
Y x,ferring with the senate in executive
session. submitting in person the nom
ination of his 10 cabinet officers. all
Of which Immediately were confirmed.
Within another hour he had gone to
the. White House to ''hhhg up his hat
and 60 to work" as he himself often
said. and unlocked the White House
gates which for four years had been
closed 10 the public.
Mr.. Harding took the oath of office
at rs p. M. exactly eight years to
the minute from the time the same
words of obligation were spoken by Mr.
Wilson at his first inauguration The
inaugural ceremonies, conforming to
Mr.. Harding's wishes. were kept free
from almost every show of pomp and
circumstances that usually surround
the incoming chief executive. Thou
sands witnessed the oath and
cheered the old and new presidents
along Pennsylvania avenue. but the
crowd was only a fraction of the Gus
tomary Inauguration throng.
on the bible used by George Wash
Ington at his first induction into Of
flee and on verse of scripture ex-
tolling the virtues Of an humble faith
in God. Mr.. Harding plighted his best
ability to the presidency.
The Inauguration ceremony took
place as usual on stand erected above
the east steps Of the capitol but In
marked contrast to previous inaugu-
rations. when thousands of seats were
provided. all the distinguished company
had to remain standing. Even the In
augural stand was much smaller than
usual. and was erected TO accommodate
telephone apparatus which carried
Mr. Harding's voice far out over the
capitol plaza and for the first time
enabled thousands to hear an inaugu
raj address.
About the only features familiar to
inaugurals were the patriotic decora-
tions that fluttered under a bright sun
along PENNSYLVANIA avenue and the u.s.
ual escort of cavalry acting as pres
idential guard of honor In the ride to
and from the capitol. The only sem.
blance of n parade was presented by
the little group of official motor cars
and the hollow square of troopers kept
at a trot all the way. Before his own
inauguration began. Mr.. Harding at
tended that of his vice president, Cal
vim Coolidge. in the chamber. II was
an hour past noon when the first Of
the inaugural company began TO file
out on the platform facing the east
plaza. members OF the senate and house
followed by the foreign diplomats in
uniform. Chief Justice White and Mr.
Harding walked out on the platform
together as the marine band, the pres
iient's own" played the national an.
them. Then the oath was administer
ed and the new president began his in
auEural address.
The presidents visit Ia the senate
chamber followed Immediately after
the conclusion of the address. He had
made known his intentions and the
senate was waiting in special execu.
live session 10 receive him.