Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1921-03-10

<oNStltuIlOn OF tho Onlteo )
! States"
Washington, March 4.-Warren G.
Harding was inaugurated as the twen-
ty-ninth President of the United States
today in record time.
The inaugural ceremonies were the
shortest in history, and but few inaug-
urals have been more simple.
Before a standing crowd of thou
sands, which completely filled the
broad, plaza and eddied for blocks
around the capitol itself, the new
President accepted the supreme gift
Of the republic in short inaugural
address-an address in which he did
not attempt to outline in other than
general terms the program Of inter-
national and domestic problems to be
followed by his administration.
Inauguration day dawned clear and
cold. The temperature was not far
from freezing, and there was stiff
breeze whipping the flags that deco
rated Pennsylvania avenue and the
government buildings.
In other days crowds moved rest
lessly up and down the street all night
long and dawn found many of them
camping sleepily in points of vantage
along historic Pennsylvania avenue to
view the great cavalcade of digni-
taries. This morning machine gun
could have swept the length and
breadth of the avenue with but few
casualties.
No Pomp or Ceremony.
There was something coldly and dis
| tinctly businesslike about today's In
augural. Gone were the pomp and
panoply and display of other years
with their extravagant decorations,
crashing bands, marching military,
and horse-drawn carriages Of state
proudly bearing silk-hatted and frock-
coated dignitaries in great parade.
In their stead came today the swift
motor car, little music and an appar.
ent desire to get things over with in
the shortest possible time and settle
| down to the momentous labors that
confront the new administration.
The lack Of military display was
particularly noticeable. Three troops
of the Third United States cavalry
form the nearby post of Fort Meyer
were the only regulars on inaugural
duty, and their services were utilized
more as an auxiliary police army than
for display.
| IN xr,ffn
swift efficiency shortly after 10
o'clock, when half dozen automobiles
drew smartly up before the Willard
hotel. They formed the entire parade
of the Harding inaugural. Only the
first four cars We're really in it, the
others being occupied by secret service
men and reporters. Here all the
members of the inaugural party we're
picked up with the exception of the
President and Mrs. Wilson.
Committee Meets Harding.
Shortly after II o'clock half-dozen
motors drew up in front of the United
States capitol, threading their way
through the throngs which had gath
cred there, and the members of the
congressional committee appointed to
conduct the Inauguration clambered in
and whirled downtown.
Headed by Senator Knox of Penn
sylvania, the congressional committee
went to the hotel room where Mr..
Harding had spent the morning at
work. The committee with due for
mality announced that they had ar
rived to conduct the President-elect
to the capitol to be inaugurated, and
the former Senator, with absolute lack
Of formality, addressed them famil-
iarly, folded small manuscript into
his pocket and joined the committee.
A great crowd assembled before the
hotel cheered as the new executive
made his way to a powerful motor
and was whirled away to his future
home-the White House.
AS the cars drew up before the
White House gates, the police on duty
there saluted their new BOSS" and he
waved his hand at them.
Greets President Wilson.
At the White House doors the con
gressional committee was met by the
chief usher and shown into the east
room, where Presioe.it Wilson was
seated. After an exchange of greet
ings the outgoing President rose ant
while attendants wrapped him care
fully in a cape, made his way to the
car where his successor awaited him
President Wilson and President