New-York tribune., 1903-05-01
WEATHER II HANDICAP.
Cold and High Wind Made EUery
One Uncomfortable.


ST Louis. April 30-The one circumstance
which marred the dedication ceremonies to-day
was the weather. II would be difficult to imag-
ine a more disagreeable day The wind blew
herceiy from the west. sending great clouds Of
dust into the faces Of the troops and at times
so nearly binding the President that It was
almost impossible for him TO see across the
street
Added 70 the discomfort Of the wind and dust
was temperature which sought for the mar
TOW and generally reached it. The women,
who, On the strength Of the warm weather of
yesterday came in summer dresses TO the re-
viewing stand. suffered keenly and except for
the thoughtfulness Of officers commanding the
guard. who provided blankets for them many
would have been compelled to leave the place
President Roosevelt and ex-President Cleveland
renamed in the reviewing stand, exposed TO the
icy wind. until the end Of the parade. although
their faces were blue and their limbs stiffened
by the cold.
Conditions in the Liberal Arts Building where
tho dedication ceremonies were held were little
better. There was no wind. but there were
manifold draugFlts. which. added TO the damp
ness inseparable from newly erected buildings
produced 4 penetrating chill that was uncom-
Portable to a degree. The effect Of this was
evident IN all the speeches as the speakers, be
ginning their addresses in clear tones. were
without exception, hoarse when they finished.
HAD LUNCHEON UNDER DIFFICULTIES
The parade which took place in the morn
ing. was somewhat longer IL passing the Presi-
dent than had been expected. and he was fifteen
minutes behind schedule time when he es-
corted by the committee into the Liberal Arts
Building. In order TO arrive even early as
that he was compelled 10 take his MONDAY meal
under somewhat uncomfortable circumstances
Al the luncheon. which he took after the pa
rade. he was showed helter-skelter by half the
people who had been in the grandstand. The
food was placed OF rectangular counter. and
the President, like everybody else. helped him
self. The crowd was dense when the President,
with Secret Service men and Adjutant General
Corbin acting as Interference forced his way
TO the 7ounter. He was so closely pressed that
when he attempted to move his arm, his elbow
disturbed cup Of coffee held by General Cor
hi With some difficulty the officers forced the
crowd TO allow the President elbow room, but
they would allow him nothing more This ma
naauvre forced the Adjutant General out Of the
rarge Of the sandwiches, but the President de-
voted one hand TO passing food 10 his escort
while the other was used for mis- own advantage.
Owing 10 his advantageous position, the Presi-
dent soon felt called upon 10 help out other
friends. and ne was kept busy passing plates
which service he performed with alacrity and
>beerfulness. Probably one-Quarter of the 2eo-
pie who filed the tent were present merely 10
see the Chief Executive OF the nation eating at
the democratic level OF q clerk in q quick lunch
restaurant
Some Of the dipIomatists and a number OF
other guests mounted the reviewing stand, to
find that there were no chairs for them II
developed that the chairs had been appropriated
bv unofficial guests who arrived early on the
scene With some difficulty other chairs were
secured but they were little used, as the visit
o9s found they could keep of the chill more
effectually by standing
The important ceremonies in the Liberal Arts
Building were handled with all possible dis
patch. Early IN the exercises word was brought
70 ex-senator Carter, the president Of the day.
chat some portions Of the hall were becoming
dangerously congested. and he was asked to
avoid delays as far as possible He did so and
the programme was carried out rapidly. OF al
the speakers President Roosevelt alone was
able TO make his voice carry more than fifty feet
from the stage By far the largest part of the
audience could hear nothing. and thousands OF
people in the rear of the hall were constantly
moving about and producing muf1ed roar that
would have baf1ed fog horn.
PRESIDENT IN HIGH SPIRITS.
When the Presids snt rose to speak he was
cheered 10 the echo. He bowed again and again,
suggesting by his manner that quiet be restored
Finally he mounted the broad railing in front OF
the rostrum where he could be seen from every
part OF the hail. and again motioned for silence
There was everything but silence. and President
Francis suggested that he proceed with his
speech and quiet would follow. President Roose-
welt laughed and shook his head. Taking ad-
vantage Of lull. he called: Now. you. my fell
low citizens. give me all the chance you can
fer need IT"
The chance was given and the President be
gan his address. = burst Of applause greeted
his statement that the Dutch had done great
things for the country in its infancy, and the