Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-11
i. S. HONORS TAFT
AT CAPITOL BIER
Hundreds Stand With Heads
Bowed as Cortege Moves
Through City.
CONTINUED From First Page.l


whom he loved md who loved him.
The rain began an hour before the
body was taken from the home on
Wyoming avenue, where he died. to lie
in state until noon under the rotunda
Of the Capitol, before it should be taken
at last for the ministrations of the
church and military entombment at
Arlington.
Only few were permitted to have
last view at the home, and the many
thousands of others who wanted the
privilege of a last look we're formed in
line at the rotunda, where more than an
hour had been set aside for them to
1ile slowly by the bier.
Early in the morning, two policemen
who have known the former President
and Chief Justice for years, and who
have been guarding his home during his
illness, were permitted to enter and
stand for a few minutes by the side of
the f1ag-draped. flower-laden coffin.
All Flags at Half-Staff.
Throughout the city, flags stood at
half-staff The embassies and lega-
tons of foreign nations had joined with
the American Government in displaying
their standards.
Two troops of Cavalry from the Sd
Regiment of Fort Myer drew up at
attention before the Taft home at 8:48
am.
Behind it came the caisson, preceded
by the colors of the United States, of
the regiment and of the troop.
The dun-colored Cavalry horses were
perfectly matched. The black caisson
was drawn by white Artillery horses
with red saddle blankets. The two
troops filled the half block in front of
the home.
The cavalrymen back against the far
side of the curb drew their Sabers to
present, waiting the appearance of the
casket from the home. In front of
them were the artillerymen.
At 1856 the military pallbearers, eight
enlisted men of the Army, Navy and
Marines, entered the front door of the
home.
BY this time. the drizzle had slack
ened. crowd of perhaps 500 per-
sons lined the street
Two minutes later while a bugle
called. the casket was borne slowly down
the steps to the caisson while the
cavalrymen sat with their sabers at
salute.
Taft Begins Last Journey.
The casket was draped with an Amer
icon flag, which covered its Furnished
black surface completely. The blue field
was at the rear of the coffin over the
face of Mr.. Taft. When the coffin had
been placed in position two black straps
were fastened over the flag, holding it
securely in place.
As soon as this had been secured, the
Cavalry. at an order of "fours right"
swung of down Wyoming avenue toward
the Capitol and william Howard Taft
had begun his last journey.
A slight breeze, springing up stimuli
taneously almost with the command,
futtered the flag on the cofin and the
Cavalry guidons.
On leaving the home the caisson and
its burden were preceded by one troop
of Cavalry and the national and regi-
mental colors. Another troop brought
up the rear and squad of motor cycle
policemen kept the way clear behind.
Meantime, at the Capitol, three
squads of Marines in full dress, white
belted, bayonetted and wearing white
gloves, marched solemnly into the ro-
tIInda.
All of them were sergeants, picked
men from the Marine barracks at the
Washington Navy Yard. Following
them were three squads of tall and
husky bluejackets from the diving
school at the navy yard.
Three squads of soldiers from Fort
Myer represented the Army.
Red Cross Presents Wreath.
AS the soldiers stood at attention
o huge wreath, red cross of carna-
tons on a field of white carnations, the
whole surrounded by Easter lilies, was
placed In the southwest corner of the
rotunda by representatives of the Red
Gross. Mr.. Taft was president of the
society when he was Chief Executive
Of the United States.
On the opposite side huge wreath cf
NafIOrxr roSe< OrPhidx and lilies
was placed by representatives of the
diplomatic corps. Blue ribbons hung
from this wreath.
As soon as word reached the Capitol
that the funeral procession had started |
from the home of Wyoming avenue
there was perceptible stir among the !
rapidly growing crowd standing in the
misty rain on the outside Of the re-
str1cted area on the Capitol Plaza.
The funeral procession passed slowly
from quiet Wyoming avenue into the
swift rush and noise Of motor vehicles
on Connecticut avenue. There it was
picked up by squad Of motor cycle
policemen, who formed a fan in front
of 1t as the cortege swung south toward
the Capitol.
All along the way people formed
thin line that stood and watched SOL
EMMY. Hats were removed as the
casket passed Many of the watchers
we're neighbors and friends.
Crowds Sorrow Is Evident.
Others were servants in the fash
ionable residential district, who knew
and loved Mr.. Taft because of his kind
ness and geniality.
All were sorrowfully reverent as their
distinguished neighbor left his home
block" for the last time.
AS the procession slowly was winding
~. cantinr nf the
city, final preparations were made at
the Capitol A black-draped catafalque,
which has borne the bodies of other
distinguished Americans, was placed In
the center of the rotunda shortly be-
fore O'Clock.
AT its head was a simple floral piece
Of white nlacs and yellow roses.
Flowers continued to arrive at short
intervals and were grouped about the
catafaloue One was a wreath. fully
FIVE feet in diameter. built up OF or
chids. iris and lilies, with large silEen
flag on an ornate stan through the
cshter.
Silence Grips Dupont Circle.
Ia the cortese reached Dupont Circle
tn rain let I'D. A few moments before
a krrived the circle was filled with peo-
pik hurrying to their officer. When the
pr6cession approached all paused Trat-
a. lights blinked on and of. but no
che moved. Only the gathering OF
horses hoofs and the rumble OF the
cnisson wheels could be heard as the
PROCESSION passed by the big Patterson
mansion. once used by the Coolidges as
q temporary White House. and moved
on into Massachusetts avenue.
Slowing moving down Massachusetts
avenue. directly in front OF the pro-
cession. several blocks distant. could be
seen the statue OF Gen. Winfield Scott,