Evening star., 1944-11-10
100000 Greet
Roosevelt al
Homecoming
President Rides
Through City With
Truman, Wallace

siuIitOuS w OJIUSS
SIMPLE INAUGURAL favored by
Mrs. Roosevelt, she tells press con-
ference. Page RI
Pictures on Pages A-3 and BID
President Roosevelt had a
very wonderful welcome home"
this morning.
Crowds estimated by District offi-
cials at more than 800 600, Drawing
the rain to demonstrate solidarity
behind the Nations war leader,
cheered Justify as the President rode
in an open car to the White House
from Union Station on his return
to Washington after his fourth pres
idential election victory.
Speaking extemporaneously to a
part of the huge throng gathered
around Union Station Plaza, where
he was greeted by an official recep-
tion committee, Mr. Roosevelt said
he always will remember this very
wonderful welcome home
Halls Government Workers.
He paid a special tribute to WASH
ington residents, especially the
Government workers." for "an that
you are doing to win this war"
When I say especially Govern
ment workers" the President added.
Il don't overlook all the other people
in the city who make it possible for
them to come here and to live here
and to work here"
The Chief Executive spoke from
his open automobile as it stopped
briefly near Columbus Fountain in
Union Station Plaza. With Vice
President-elect Truman and Vice
President Wallace beside him, he
then rode along Delaware avenue
to Constitution avenue, down Con-
Stitution avenue to Pennsylvania
avenue and along this flag Lined his
toric street to enter the southeast
gate of the White House grounds
through South Treasury place.
Women, Children Predominant.
Maj. Edward j. Kelly, superin-
tendent of police, and william A.
Van Duzer. District trafice director.
estimated the crowd along the
Presidents route at 100000, with
another 10000 thronged around
Union Station Plaza.
Women and children, most of
them carrying umbrellas, predom-
mated the crowds which were held
by the inclement weather to much
less than the half-million turnout
for which officials had hoped.
The trip from the station to the
White House took 20 minutes. Eight
military bands along the route
played spirited music as the presi-
dental party drove by.
Nation Hears Radio Speech.
The rain became a drizzle as Mr..
Roosevelt spoke into a battery Of
microphones which carried his
words from Union Station Plaza to
radio listeners throughout the coun-
try. Without any amplifying sys-
tenn at the spot, few of the thou
sands crowded around the plaza
could hear him
John Russell Young, president of
the District Board of Commissioners.
welcomed Mr.. Roosevelt on behalf
of the official committee, which, he
said. represented all of the city, "re-
gardless of political parties" He
told the Chief Executive that every
one here was enthusiastically be-
hind the homecoming celebration.
Shortly before the President
emerged from Union Station, the
rain clouds darkened perceptibly-
to the point where newsreel camera =
men had a Zero" reading on their
light meters. But as Mr.. Roosevelt
appeared. wind drove back the
clouds and the scene became murh
lighter
President Exchanges Greetings.
The President had remained
aboard the special train which
brought him from his Hyde Park
IN. " estate for more than half
an hour. exchanging informal greet
ings with cabinet members and nu-
merous other officials. His automo-
bile entered the plaza at 9:08 am,
and he started along Delaware ave-
nue. at 9:13 am.
Many welcome signs greeted the
Chief Executive as he rode along
the rope-lined streets. One of the
first he saw was held by a colored
girl near Union Station. 1t read:
"All for one and one for all. Let's
go Mr.. President"
Other banners carried such mes
sages as I'm "A we need you more,
You're back and we're back Of
you" You scored here, Mr.. Presi-
dent. Let's 60 over there" and
Welcome! F. D. r."
The Presidents car was preceded
by flying v (for victory of so
motorcycle policemen, an auto
mobile carrying Mr.. Young and
two other cars of secset service
officers as he rode between the
lines of cheering, umbrella-topped
throngs. White House police stood
at attention as the motorcade en-
tered the east gate and stopped b..
fore several hundred applauding
White House employees in the south
grounds.
Truman Beside Chief. IF
Senator Truman sat beside the
President with Vice President Wal
lace sitting next to Mr.. Truman,
Little Johnny Boettiger, the Presi-