, 1923-08-07


so lavtshly that when death swept
down with terrible audiences TO
check him in fun course and turn him
back to come again to Washington
through tho presidents room, but
this time. sleeping in a flag draped
casket. freed forever from the cares
OF the great office that slapped his
life away.
Before. when Harding came to
claim the post his countrymen had
given him, cheers and shouting greet
ed him as he stepped out under the
arched entrance or tho presidents
room to see tho wide flung plaza
packed with happy people waving
him friendly acclaim. A little be-
yond lowered tho grny dome o. tho
capitol where no had sat through
contented years as senator. with
flags streaming from tho STATS on
senate and house wings. or to
the west. beyond the crowdfng build.
ings. was the white House, rhe door
to the great labors he was to know.
Today flags wtere at half mast
from tho triple stats that front the
great station building and from the
roof of the silent capitol beyond. in
preparation o his return. He was
to come back and receive the honors
such as only dead presidents may
know and to spend n night of peace
Inc utter rest at last in the dim,
stately setting of tho east room of
the White House.
A cavalry escort from Fort Meyer
was under orders TO form n line
across the plaza at tho station before
the train came in and to wait until
the casket is delivered into keeping
of the army comrades of the dead
commander in chief to DO carried
to the White House as fallen soldiers
are carried. A field gun battery
has polished every link and buckle
Of h horses trappings for the &C.
casion. It will also wait at the
station.
No pains have been spared tina
each man and animal may do honor
Blooded mounts OF officers and rangy
troop horses and CUR teams have all
been carefully groomed. The mon
themselves were ordered to wear
olive drab with tan brimmed caps
low over their eyes, and chin straps.
At each officers sword hilt was to
rest a cluster of crepe that win stay
there n month In token of the ma
TONS loss. The colors wero TO bear
long streamers OF black. President
Coolidge and the cabinet members
were to take their places within the
station to greet the train out In the
long shed. Tho great
with its high glass roof. was to he
swept clear of all but the official
group and those Immediately CON
nected with the sorrowful functions.
The great terminal and the miles OF
trackage was expected to stretch
empty and silent TO await the funeral
train.
The funeral program called for no
ceremonies OF greeting at the train
or elsewhere. except for the strains
of the band and the saluto OF the
troops outside. There was to be Just
tho slow walk behind the casket. down
the silent and put through
the Presidents room to tho awaiting
Il carriage. Arrangements had
been made to spare Mrs Harding
sven this and a closed car will hurry
her by n different route to the White
House. IN order that she may be there
when the casket is lifted down and
carried into Ms first night of quiet
since II started from San francisco.
Two troops OF cavalry were ordered
to lead the way from tho station.
swinging Off at a quick trot for the
swift Journey to tho capital grounds,
then down around tho peace monu-
ment TO Pennsylvania venue and
On to the treasury and finally through
tho shaded grounds OF the executive
mansion The funeral caisson drawn
by four black horses was allotted
the next place I'm line. close on the
heels of the troopers. Then was to
follow the long string OF motor cars
bearing president Harding's travelling
party 10 the sad conclusion OF their
long pourney: then other cars TO car
ry President Coolidge and the off
cials OF Washington. Behind these
were 10 be arrayed tho third troop
OF cavalry Rnd rumbiing gun OF the
artillery were TO bring up the rear OF
the escort
At the white House, orders to tho