Evening star., 1941-01-18
Record 100000
Visitors Expected
For Inauguration
Thousands Arriving;
Weather Forecast Is
Fair and Cold

AS thousands of early arrivals
poured into the Capital today for a
week end of festivity leading up to
the thirdterm Inauguration of
President Roosevelt Monday. police
officials asserted that if the weather
forecast Of fair and cold" ma
terializes Washington will have the
greatest crowd that has ever wit
messed inaugural ceremonies.
The record crowd to date. accord
ing to police estimates. was the 350,-
900 persons who came here on March
4. 1888. for President Roosevelt S
first Inauguration.
We figured there were about 300
900 at the Capitol and along the
parade route in 1887. despite the
rain" said Inspector L. I. H. Ed
wards. so this time. if Washington
gets a break in the weather, We
might run up as high as 100000" "
The city took on a holiday air to-
day in spite of overcast skies.
AS flags and bunting dried out
from the cold rain and sleet of
Wednesday and Thursday. the spirit
Of toWnspeople and visitors alike
quickened. Washington, despite re-
verberations of war from across the
seas, gave evidence of becoming a
gay city long before President
Roosevelt is inducted into Office for
the third time at noon Monday at
the Capitol.
Today's official weather forecast
was mostly cloudy tonight and to-
morrow; colder tonight, with a low
of about 20 degrees; much colder
tomorrow and tomorrow night; con-
tinued cold Monday"
The city awoke this morning to
the third successive misty day. The
mercury stayed 7 points above
freezing. disposing of the icy deposits
which made hazardous going for
pedestrians and motor traffic yester-
day and Thursday.
IS Special Trains Scheduled.
Virtually all trains running into
Washington have added extra
coaches to accommodate inaugural
visitors. And total of rs special
trains are scheduled to arrive dur
ing the week end. Forty-four are
to be operated by the Pennsylvania.
25 by the Baltimore & Ohio, by
the Chesapeake & Ohio and l by
the Southern.
Extra lunch counters and baggage
stands are being installed in Union
Station to care for the ever-increas-
ing throng.
Few Hotel Rooms Available.
Hotels reported the usual fever
1sh inaugural activity, with every
room expected to be occupied or
spoken for by midnight.
The Hotel Association of Wash
ington, whose Offices have been be-
sieged by incoming visitors, said
there are no single rooms available
in any of its % member hotels.
There is still fast-diminishing
supply of double rooms unoccupied
in few hotels. and many persons
unable to get singles have decided
to take double rooms, association
officials said.
The overflow, however, is being
ably handled by the Housing and
Hospitality Committee of the In
augural Committee, which yesterday
established an information booth in
the concourse at the Union Station.
Ann Embrey, leader of the staff of
;,1e l. sx.r J.
to visitors. said activity at the booth
began with rush about pm. yes
terday and was continuing today.
The committee works from a COM
prehensive list of rooms in private
homes in the District, and persons
unable to get hotel rooms are re-
ferred to these residences.
Several Pullman cities" will be
(See INATIGTIp pooo Aol