Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-05
From Stagecoach to
Airplane- Great Prog
ress Has Been Made in
transportation Facili-
ties Since the Days of
the First Inaugurations,
When Travel Was Slow
and Tedious.
BY JOHN H. CLINE.

Il
-HE applause of the multitude as
sembled in Washington yesterday for
the Inauguration of President Roose-
velt although intended as a salute
to the new Chief Executive, was also
magnificent tribute to one of the
most stirring chapters in the history of this
ccuntry-the conquest of space
By airplane automobile, train and steamboat,
the Thousands 5treamed into washington lds'
week for the greatest OF our national ceieofa-
lions In few short hours, riding IN salety
and comfort they reached the Nations Capltal
from their homes Just easily will they re-
turn The trip from coast to coast today Is lar
less rigorous than the journey OF those VINO
came from Baltimore to witness the Inaugural
ton of "Old Hickory" just little more than
a century ago.
The stagecoach has vanished frcm the ma
tional scene sdnce the First Congress convened
in 1889 and its place has been taken by truly
marvellous products of mans ingenuity. 1t Is
safe prediction, however, that in the years to
. come our fast trains and faster airplanes will
have been Just as completely relegated to the
realm of vehicles which have served their pur-
pose and been passed by in the march OF prog
ress
The first real trial of the newly elected
members of the first House and Senate was
their trip to New York. where the Congress
and on horseback, by barge and ferry, labori-
ously they took their way to the meeting place.
Painfully and slowly they traversed the weary
miles. which many of them had Travelled before
during the bitter campaigns of the War OF the
Revolution.
The first task of the new Congress was to
count the electoral votes. When these dis
closed the unanimous choice of Gen. Wash
ington first President of the new Republic.
Charles Thompson, 60-year-old secretary OF
the Congress- started on horseback for Mount
Vernon to notify Gen. Washington.
1T was journey that might well dismay
younger man today" one writer said "for the
way was long, the roads wretched beyond de-
scription and the accommodations OF a cnarac-
ter to tax the strongest
Mr.. Thompson however was man OF con-
siderable fortitude, for it is recorded that he
arrived safely at Mount Vernon after a journey
Of Q week.
After brief rest he and Gen. Washington,
then 81 years old, started for New York in
private coach on April 16, 1789 The new
President felt it was necessary to start the ma
chinery of Government as soon as possible, 50
he planned to make the journey to New York
with all possible speed. Consequently, Mrs.
Washington was left at Mount Vernon, to make
the trip later by easy stages
The citizens of Alexandria turned out en-
masse to greet the new President After an
exchange of speeches and pleasantries how
ever, Gen. Washington proceeded on his way
Arriving at the banks of the "Patowmack," he
was ferried across the river by party of gen.
tlemen from George Town." who had come to
meet him. On his journey Washington forded
Rock Greek under what is now the street
bridge and proceeded by the post road along
what is now Florida avenue to the Eastern
Branch at Bladensburg.
The beautiful city which has become the
Capital of the worlds most powerful nation
was then nothing but an expanse of wilder
ness
The company of private gentlemen from
George Town rode with Gen. washington until
they were met by similar party who had
come out on horseback from Baltimore to help
the traveller along his way. Arriving in Balt-
more on the afternoon of the 18th, Gen. Wash
ington spent the night at Grants Tavern, but
at $50 o'clock next morning he had already
started toward Philadelphia.
Another body of gentlemen escorted him
from Baltimore. but when the party had pro-
ceeded seven miles, Gen. Washington alighted
from his coach and babe them return explain
ing that the roads were SO bad he did not feel
justified in letting them accompany him
farther.
THE party reached Philadelphia on April 20,
after having been on the road five days.
As they neared the city, Gen. Washington left
his coach and rode on horseback in front OF
the procession so he might greet the people
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