Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-30
ROOSEVELT DODCES CROWD
Leaves Train at St. Louis Outskirts and
Drives Rapidly to Meeting.
CLEVELAND AND CHIEF UNDER ONE ROOF
Notables Gather from All Parts ia
Assist in Elaborate Exposition
Dedication Ceremonies Ar
ranged for Today.

ST. LOUIS, April 29.-President Roose-
velt arrived at 4:2S this afternoon to par
ticipate in the dedication ceremonies OF the
Louisiana Purchase exposition.
1t was expected he would leave his train
at the union station. and dense throng
had congregated there, but to avoid just
such an assemblsge arrangements we're
made to detrain at Forsythe Junction, three
miles from the center of the city, where
he was met and escorted to the Good Roads
convention in Odeon hall by members of
the committee Of the worlds fair and re-
ception committee headed by President
Francis.
Just as the carriage started middle
aged woman rushed through the line OF oth-
GERS, wildly waving her handkerchief and
cheering the president. She attempted TO
reach him and shake hands, but the quick
ened pace of the horses prevented her, and
although she ran after the vehicle, still
cheering and waving her handkerchief for
half block, she was finally distsnced and
lost In the crowd.
People were congregated along the streets
and wildly cheered as the president passed
He doffed his hat in acknowledgment.
Roads Sign of Greatness.
When he finally reached the hall at he
found a crowd which had been waiting pa
tiently for hours.
In the course of his address he declared
that the influence of nations which had not
been road builders was evanescent. Rome,
the most powerful of the olden civilizations,
left its impress on literature and changed
the boundaries Of nations, but palmer than
anything else left us Roman roads
Merely from historical analogy" the
president continued, this country which
we believe will reach position of leader
ship never equalled-this country, l say,
should so act that posterity will justly say
when speaking of u.s. That nation built
good roads,"
The president declared that good roads
probably were the greatest agency for
regulating the flow from the country to the
city of young men and young women.
"a long line of liquid morass is not pleas
ant" he continued. ut means in many in
stances isolation to the farmer. When the
girl or the boy can't take turn on a bike
| even to a neighbors because Of the roads,
well, It is a situation not likely to make
| farm life attractive.
In conclusion he spoke of the benefits to
the country districts OF the trolley lines,
| the telephone and rural free delivery, and
closed with the assertion that good roads
would prove the greatest benefit of all.
From odeon hall the president was driven
| at a sharp trot to st, Louis university
where he spent a few minutes before going
on to Mr.. Francis for dinner.
Cleveland Also Greeted.
Mr.. Cleveland arrived over the BaIti-
| more & Ohio Southwestern at $3.50, and the
train from Washington bearing members
! of the diplomatic corps five minutes before.
The diplomats were promptly taken in hand
| by the reception committee and escorted
to the quarters assigned them. A portion
of the committee remained to greet Mr..
Cleveland. AS he alighted from the train
he was warmly greeted by Mr.. Francis,
| who had driven rapidly to the depot after
greeting President Roosevelt, and entering
a carriage was driven to Mr. Francis
house, where he and the president will be
fellow guests.
Governor Mickey II There.
In addition to the troops from New York,
the following state troops arrived during
the day: One provisional regiment and
band from Ohio, 1000 officers and men
four regiments from Missouri, 5000 officers
and men; one regiment and band from
Iowa, $50 officers and men; one regiment
and band from Illinois, 1000 officers and
men; one battalion and band from Okla
homa, 200 officers and men: one battalion
and band from Louisiana, 200 officers and
men.
Governor Van SAINT OF Minnesota, Gov.
ernor Cummins OF Iowa and Governor
Mickey of Nebraska arrived early In the
afternoon, and Governor Cummins in par.
ticular was attended by a stan sufficiently
numerous to make up a squadron of cavalry
in itself.
Cardinal Gibbons, who is to deliver tn,
invocation at the dedication ceremonies to-
morrow, arrived late last night and wal
driven to the residence of Archbishop
Kahn, whose guest he will be for the re
mainder of the week.
Governor Odell of New York came II
this morning, attended by his staff. Fol
lowing him closely came special train
bearing a squadron of cavalry, provislona
division OF the naval militia and a pro
visional regiment of infantry, all from
New York.
General Gomez OF Cuba was TO arrive a
! O'Clock this morning, but It was thre
hours later when his train came in. H
was given a hearty welcome at the depo
by a reception committee and escorted L
4 kafa al