White House gossip

by Edna M. Colman

On Monday, the public ceremony occurred on the East Portico, as was customary, there being but little deviation from previous programmes. Mrs. Wilson established a precedent by riding to the Capitol with her husband, the first time this had ever been done. Mrs. Marshall followed her example.

The parade was remarkable for the many innovations that were introduced. The first radical departure from the beaten path was that regular army soldiers served as the presidential escort. By the expressed wish of President Wilson, Troops B, C, and D of the 2d Cavalry, stationed at Fort Myer, comprised his escort. This regiment had been closely identified with the growth and glory of our nation. Hitherto, militia from the states of the incoming Executive and his running mate had been given the honour.

Catching the spirit of the people as he went toward the Capitol, President Wilson decided to smash another precedent, and when it came time for him to give his address, he requested the withdrawal of the military immediately in front of the stand so that the public might occupy that space and hear his address. There were more than fifty thousand people massed on the plaza trying to catch his words.

The ride from the Capitol to the White House was made quickly, so that the family luncheon party should see the review. Special arrangements for comfort had been made, the stand having been enclosed in glass, carpeted with a Persian rug, and fitted with large easy chairs.

Just opposite, in the Court of Honour, seventy-five men dressed in uniforms of officers of the Continental Army were stationed as honour guard to the President.

Most significant and novel in the parade was the woman’s section, made up of several thousand women of all sects, beliefs, political persuasions, crafts, trades, and professions. For the first time, a woman had been permitted to serve on the Inaugural Committee, and it was the boast of Mrs. James H. Boggs, the chairman of this section, that all women were welcome, politics and partizanship being submerged in the patriotic efforts to demonstrate what women could do. Her escort, to correspond to that of Colonel R. N. Harper, inaugural chairman, was an equestrian squadron. It was made up of Virginia horsewomen, about three hundred of them, gay and festive in their brilliant red velvet riding jackets, black velvet skirts, and smart black silk beavers. Prominent, also, was the Pennsylvania Women’s Woodrow Wilson League, and the khaki-clad Girl Scouts, of whom there were several hundred. Their sturdy little colour bearers struggled valiantly with their banners against the stiff wind.

A large number of student organizations marched in the parade. With war crashing over Europe, and the United States facing participation, it seemed as though the committee made extra efforts to demonstrate to the assembled units the amount of man power this country was ready to put behind its President.

For the first time in the history of the country, a distinctive part was played in the inauguration by the government departments. By joint resolution of both Houses of Congress, the executive department and various branches of the government in Washington were authorized to give for two weeks an exhibit of their activities and methods of transacting business. The entire project was called “Uncle Sam at Work,” and was arranged and managed by the various chiefs of bureaus, assisted by the Federation of Citizen’s Associations of Washington.

President Wilson had asked his Cabinet to remain with him in the new term. The note to Germany, conflicting with Secretary Bryan’s pacifist views, brought his resignation as Secretary of State. The appointment of Robert Lansing to the post thus left vacant was universally satisfactory. Newton D. Baker succeeded Lindley M. Garrison in the difficult and vitally responsible position as Secretary of War.

In little more than a month after Wilson’s second term opened, all pretence of peace for the United States was thrown aside. The President, following the action of Congress, proclaimed war with Germany on April 7, 1917.