Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-11-23
President johnson Takes Over
Kennedy Lies i'm White House
TASK Your Help
Says New Leader
By GARNET d. HORNER
Star staff Writer

Lyndon B. johnson, 36th President of the
united States ran the Government TODAY from
ms OLD wee presidential office across the street
from the White House. -
The body of John F. Kennedy. the vounoest
man ever to live and die as President lay in repose
IN the East Room of the Executive Mansion.
Mr. Kennedy was killed by an asSaSsin's bull
let IN the prime of life at As yesterday afternoon,
luSt as ne was ending triumphal motorcade
through the streets of Dallas, Texas
Mr.. johnson took the oath of office as Presi-
dent aboard the presidential jet plane, Air Force
one, In Dallas shortly before it brought him Mr.
Kennedy's body and Mr.. Kennedy's grieving
wloow back to Washington last night.
Faces Heavy Responsibilities
Stunned and shaken, Mr.. johnson neverthe-
less faced up Immediately to the awesome respon-
slbillties of the office into which tragedy had
plunged him.
The 55-year-old new President told the
Nation:
This is sad time for all people. We have
suffered loss that cannot be weighed For me-
IL Is deep personal tragedy. know that the
world shares the sorrow that Mrs. Kennedy and
can do. ask for your help, and Gods"
He quickly got assurances of bipartisan sup
port from Democratic and Republican congress
sional leaders, with whom he met last night.
President Johnson drove up to the west
basement entrance of the White House Office
minutes later walked out and across the street
to his old vice presidential office
+ Shuns Oval President Office
Mr.. johnson did not go upstairs to the oval
presidential office while in the White House
Instead, 1t was learned he consulted with Nc
George Bundy presidential assistant for national
security affairs, in the situation room" Mr..
Bundy maintains to keep constant track of de-
veopmentS around the world affecting American
security.
A little later Secretary of State Rusk con-
ferred with the new President for 40 minutes in
Mr.. JohnSon'S old office
The two men sat at Seven-chair conference
table in front of the Vice Presidents desk and
were talking quietly when photographers we're
admitted at the end of the session.
Defense Secretary Mcnamara entered the
Vice Presidents outer office as Secretary RuSk
was leaving.
First Lady, went to her husbands office She was
accompanied by Mrs. Leslie Carpenter, an as
Sstant to the Vice President who has been acting
as Mrs. JohnSon'S press secretary
George Reedy, longtime assistant of Mr..
Johnson, was in the new Presidents outer office.
Mcnamara Asked for Identification
Mr.. Mcnamara conferred with the new Presi-
dent for about so minutes. Security-conScious
White House guards stopped Mr.. Mcnamara
briefly to ask him for Identification as he left
the elevator after his conference with President
Johnson.
Former President Eisenhower drove UP to
the north portico of the White House at II am,
heading list of national dignitarieS joining
President and Mrs Johnson in paying their re-
Spects at the bier of the slain President Kennedy
Gen. Eisenhower wearing broad black band
on his left arm, was greeted on the steps of the
See PRESIDENT, Page AS