Evening star., 1953-09-11
Nations Leaders Honor
Memory of Chief Justice
By Robert K. Welsh

VtGutOf/ VI SuGI SU9GISS
By Robert K. Welsh
Back in his native Kentucky
the body of Chief Justice Fred
M. VinSon awaited its final rest
ing place today after a grief
filled farewell here at funeral
services attended by President
Eisenhower and former President
Truman.
The 63-year-old jurist, who
died unexpectedly Tuesday. was
to be buried in Pine Hill Gene
terry near his Louisa Ky.) BIRTH
place and former home.
At a 2 pm. service in the
Methodist Episcopal Church
there, the eight associate justices
of the Supreme Court are serv-
ing again as honorary pallbear-
ers. Justice Minton, unable to
be with them at the service in
Washington Cathedral yesterday.
went to Louisa from his home
at New Albany. Ind.
Mrs. VinSon, her two sons and
daughter-in-law. and several as
sociates and close frien is, flew
to Louisa last night.
DignitarieS of the executive
legislative and judicial branches
in which Mr.. Vinson served the
Government for 80 years, were
among 1000 at the cathedraI
service yesterday.
President Eisenhower and for
mer President Truman met
there for the first time since
Inauguration day last January
Vice President Nixon sat with
the President as did members o1
the cabinet. Mr.. Truman, his
wife and daughter, Margaret
entered the cathedral with the
Vinson family and sat with them
after Mr.. Truman paused briefly
to shake hands with the Presi-
dent.
The Right Rev. Angus Dun
Episcopal Bishop of Washington
who conducted the traditiona
funeral service assisted by the
Very Rev. Francis B. Sayre, jr.
cathedral dean, spoke no forma
eulogy. But his prayers called
attention to some of Mr.. Vim.
sons good gifts" of character
and deeds as an example fol
others in public and private life
Justices Precede President.
These, Bishop Dun said, were
family affection, loyalty tt
friends, willing acceptance Of
many burdens in the service Of
his country, wisdom in the af-
fairs of our common life. anc
dignity brought to high office
without pretenSion or vanity"
Attesting to his personal
friendship for Mr.. VinSon ano
his regard for Supreme Court
prestige, the President urgec
that the justices precede him il
leaving the cathedral. Then, a.
they formed an honor guard or
the steps of the north transept
Gen. Eisenhower stood in lint
with them with head bowed a!
the coffin was carried to thu
hearSe.
The President stepped up tc
Mrs. Vinson. kissed her on the
cheek and offered words of con-
ISOLATION and sympathy. Before
returning to the White House
and later to resume his vacation
in Denver, he shook hands with
the justices as we'll as with
Bishop Dun and Dean Sayre, as
did Mr.. Truman later.
Both the President and former
President, who took the oatf
of office from Chief Justice Vim
son in 1852 and 1948 respectively
we're obviously deeply moved by
the loss of their friend. The
justices also plainly showed
their grief. With the President
and former President and many
of the other mourners, they
joined in the traditional re-
sponses and congregational sing.
ing of the hymns.
Diplomats Are Present.
The mahogany coffin, borne
into the cathedral at l am. BY
eight Supreme Court policemen
rested on a dias at the centra
crossing in front of the higf
altar. 1t was covered by a pur'
pie and gold pail with the five.
cross cathedral emblem. During
the service from 2 to 2:30 pm
this replaced a huge spread o.
roses sent by the Supreme Court
Among flowers banked at th'
sides was a floral cross from thu
White House.
/ Front seats in the nave of tn
cathedral we're reserved for tn
Vinson family and for the Pres
ident, Supreme Court justices
Cabinet members and other higl
officials. Members of the diplo
matte corps, the bar association
and similar grolps occupied re
served sections on the side.
AS soon as the President ant
the Vinson family were seated
the service began with a pro
cessional hymn. 20 God. Gu
Help in Ages Past" The ia
miliar opening sentences of I"
am the resurrection and tn
life" were followed by readin
| of scriptural prayer. singing O
hymns, recital of prayers, an
the final blessing by the Bishop