The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-03-03
HARDING IS
GREETED BY
WASHINGTON
Goes Into Conference With
Officials on Inaugural Cere-
monies in Hotel
May Visit Wilson.
DAVIS IS SELECTED
tBv Associated Press)

WASHINGTON. March 3.-Presi-
dent-elect Harding today announced
the selection of James J. Davis. of
Pittsburgh, to be secretary of labor.
and of George B. Christian. Jr., to be
secretary to the president.
Mr.. Davis selection finally COM
pletes Mr.. Harding's cabinet slate.
The choice is understood to have been
reached some time ago, but complica-
uons arose that cast the final deci-
sion in doubt until the last minute.
Mr.. Davis is former steel worker
who still carries a union card. al
though he now devotes most of his
attention to affairs of the Moose
lodge. of which he is the ranking Off
cial in the United States.
Reaches Washington
President-elect Harding arrived at
Washington at 1 o'clock today and
went into conference with inaugural
officials on details of tomorrow's cere-
monies
Although the president'elect's spe-
cial reached the capital a half hour
ahead of schedule. a large crowd
greeted the president-elect as he
walked out through the presidents
entrance of the station. Smiling and
bowling, he climbed into an automo-
bile and was driven to downtown
hotel, where Mr.. and Mrs. Harding
will remain over night.
May Visit Wilson
In his conferences with inaugura-
tion officials it is understood the
question of call of courtesy on Pres
ident Wilson was discussed. Before
the conference began Mr. Harding in
dicated he would be guided in this
and other details by suggestions from
the committee.
Despite the expressed desire of
President-elect Harding for simple in
augural ceremonies, Washington to-
day had assumed very much of pre-
inaugura tion day air. The streets
were a little more crowded than US
ual, hotel rooms were somewhat
fusion made their appear rance along
Pennsylvania avenue and in the down
town section.
Finishing Touches.
Finishing touches were given to the
stand On the east portico of the cap
itol, where Mr.. Harding will take the
oath of office and deliver his inaugur-
al address. Washington police made
final preparations for handling the
crowds expected to line Pennsylvania
avenue to see President Wilson and
President-elect Harding ride to the
white house.
Troops of cavalry at Fort Myer who
! will form the single escort for the
president party and several companies
of marines from quantico. who will be
! o,~l Ill -, l.
drill in preparation for the part they
are to play in the event.
Contrast Noticeable.
To Washington residents and "old
| timers" today contrast with former
day-before inauguration days was par
| ticularly noticeable. They recalled
| that in former years "the day before"
| had seen the historic thoroughfare
J leading from the capital to the white
house throng with visitors, hotel lob
| bies crowded and sleeping accommo-
dations at premium. Missing were
| the long rows of temporary stands at
convenient points along the avenue
from which thousands the next day
would view the big parade" and
cheer the outgoing and incoming presi-
dents.
/ Noticeable also was the absence OF
the rattle of drums and the flare of
bands as scores of marching clubs,
political clubs or military organiZa-
tions marched through the city to ad-
vertise themselves and their commun-
! ity and to await the big day.
! A light rain that began last night
still was falling early today but for IN
auguration day the weather bureau
! had predicted clear and colder.
| xSS,rr,
HARDING'S SPECIAL TRAIN, March
| 3.-As he approached Washington to-
! day to enter upon the duties of the
presidency Warren G. Harding took a
final holiday aboard his private car
! superb putting work and worry
| aside and visiting with members OF
his family as though he were an or
binary traveller making a casual trip
across the country.
In the busy months since he was
nominated. Mr.. Harding has seen lit
tie of any but his nearest relatives
and he seized upon this occasion to re-
new ties that in former days had held
the members of his family close to-
gether. On the Superb" besides the
president t-elect and Mrs. Harding were
his father. brother and sister
and he gave them his time in prefer
ence TO MS secretaries anu duVISOTS
who sought to turn his attention TO
the problems of state just ahead of
him.
/ Family First
In making up his party for 'the
superb on the trip to the capital the
president-elect for the first time ex-
cluded all of those who are not men,
bers of the family, even his secretary,
George B. Christian. Jr., and his physi-
clan, DR. Sawyer, who travelled in an
other car with number of personal
friends from Marion. Those in the
private car besides Mr.. and Mrs. Hard
ing We're: DIR. George r. Harding of
Marion. father of the president-elect;
Miss Abagail Harding. OF Marion. the
president-elects sister; DR.. George r.
Harding. Jr.. of Columbus, the presi-
dent-eiect's brother. and several mem-
bers of his family; and Mrs Frank
Longshore, of Marion. a niece OF Mrs.
Harding.