The Washington times., 1901-12-01
BACK FROM THE GAME.
The President Has Nothing But
Praise for yietors and vanauished.


President RooseveIts natural appetite
for sport was thoroughly satisfied last
night when he returned to Washington
from the Army and Navy football game
in Philadelphia. He enjoyed the & eat
contest TO the limit, and had nothing but
praise for victors and vanquished mas
much as he was on the Army side Of the
field in the second half and was cheering
for the soldiers. 1t looked as though his
presence and bis roofing in the
midst Of the West Point contingent
had brought victory to avenge the defeat
Of the Military Academy team year
ago. But according to the Presidents
own statement his position was one OF
rigid impartiality.
The Pennsylvania Railroad station was
packed with people when the Presidents
special train. bearing his guests and those
of the Secretaries of War and Navy. pulled
in after fast run on a clear track from
the Quaker City. Mrs. Roosevelt did not
return with the President She will be
the guest in Philadelphia for day
I or two Of Mr.. and Mrs. John W. Brock,
old acquaintance. Mr. Douglas ROBIN
son, the Presidents brother-is-law, who
joined the party in Philadelphia. return
ed to Washington and viii be guest at
the White House. together with Mrs. and
Miss Robinson.
A large number Of policemen were on
hand at the station. as well as several de-
tectives and a detail of two or three
Secret Service officers. Every precaution
was taken to prevent any possible aeci-
dent The President left the train and
proceeded at once along the station plat
form toward the big iron gates beyond,
where there was great crowd waiting
to catch a glimpse Of the first President
who ever attended a football game in his
official capacity. The Presidents car
riage was drawn up to the curb on Sixth
Street, just outside tho station. The
President doffed his silk hat in response
to the salutations OF the crowd. In fact,
during the entire short walk to his car
riage he held his hat in his hand most
of the time. Kermit and Ethel Roosevelt
entered the carriage with him. They car
ried small pennants OF the Army
colors they had Justify waved dur
ing the progress of the game, which they
enjoyed fully as much as had their father.
Secretary Cortelyou and the other mam-
bers of the Presidential party entered
their carriages after the President had
been driven away.
Dinner was served in the dining car on
the return trip from Philadelphia Every
body on the train was in a happy frame
OF mind. especially Secretary Root. who
took occasion now and then to remind
Secretary Long of the fact. painfully fresh
in his mind. that the Middies had been
beaten. Secretary Long, who did not
give up hope of naval victory until the
timers whistle blew at the end of the
second half, took the defeat of the sail
ors philosophically, and predicted that
the tables would be turned next year.
Everyone on the train appeared to have
enjoyed the trip immensely. and there
was expressed the hope that the attend
ance of the President at the annual game
would become an established custom.
The President took occasion more than
once to express his admiration of the
pluck and skill OF the members of both
teams. He especially admired the work
of DAILY, the West Point quarterback, who
was last year the captain of the Harvard
team. The modern college game of foot
ball was not in vogue when Mr.. Roose-
welt was at Harvard. but he understands
the principles of contest as well as the
average college rooter, and was thorough
ly able to appreciate every play In the
great contest yesterday.
There is little doubt that the President
will attend the annual game next year, IL
he can possibly do So This will estab-
Iish the custom. and the Army and Navy
game viii become easily the most lash
ionable sporting event OF the year in the
United States.