The Nome Nugget

John F. Kennedy Takes Office In Simple, But Very Impressive Ceremony

By Arthur Edson

WASHINGTON, (AP)--A deadly serious John F. Kennedy became President today in deadly serious times with an eloquent plea for the Communists to join him in a quest for peace lest all humanity be destroyed.

Here at the cold, windswept, snow-covered capitol the old order left and the new came in.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, at 43 the youngest elected President in our history, took the oath from Chief Justice Earl Warren at 12:51 p. m. EST.

Impressive Ceremony

The simple, impressive ceremony took but a moment, and Kennedy immediately plunged into the world problems that unquestionably will occupy most of his thoughts during the next four years.

Nearly all the notables in the nation were here -- governors, senators, representatives, Supreme Court justices. A few, including former President Herbert Hoover, were kept away by last night's snow storm.

But ex-President Harry S. Truman was on the inaugural stand, beaming to see a Democrat take over the White House again after eight years of Republican rule.

And Dwight D. Eisenhower, who at 70 is the oldest President we ever had, listened quietly as his youthful successor confidently said:

"Let the word go forth from this time and this place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a cold and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage -- and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today."

Prayers from Leaders

There were prayers from leaders of four faiths, Roman Catholic, Protestants, Jewish and Greek Orthodox.

There was the stirring, martial music, the singing, and, curiously, there was even comedy. During the invocation by Archbishop Richard Cardinal Cushing, smoke poured from the lectern.

The cause later was traced to a short circuit in an electric motor used to adjust the height of the lectern to the convenience of the speaker.

An electrician theorized the motor may have become wet with snow.

Cardinal Cushing was undisturbed by the occurrence. A flitting smile crossed even Kennedy's face.

Kennedy slipped out of a topcoat protecting him against the 22-degree weather and stepped forward.

Facing Chief Justice Warren, and speaking in a loud, clear voice, he repeated his oath to uphold the Constitution and took on the awesome job of leadership.

When he finished the oath, he turned to now ex-President Eisenhower and smiled broadly. Eisenhower smiled back and they shook hands.

On these great occasions the public man has his private cheering section. And few Presidents have had such a large and enthusiastic family to back him.

Here were the proud parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy. Here were the brothers, the sisters, the close friends that make up the incredible Kennedy clan.

And here was the lovely First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy.

Mrs. Kennedy's eyes seldom left her husband as he spoke. She gazed at him with a smile of pride.

A roar went up as Kennedy finished his address. Rabbi Dr. Nelson Glueck of Cincinnati pronounced the benediction.

The whole ceremony was over.

And John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who worked so long and relentlessly for this moment, now was face to face with literally a world of problems.