New-York tribune., 1906-11-28
PRESIDENTS HOME TRIP
ADDRESS on THE SHIP.
Thanks Officers and Cree, and GiUes
Them AdI1ce.
IFroru The Tribune Bureau. ]

which the officers and men managed the ships
moro than ever convinced him of the fact a.
ready pretty well established in his mind that
the American navy Is the peer IL not the
perior. Of any that sails the seas. and the be-
havior Of the vessels comprising his little feet
under all sorts Of conditions convinced him that
American jackies have Just about the best fight
ing machines beneath their feet that can be
built The Presidents enthusiasm found ex-
preston in glowing accounts OF the journey
members Of his Cabinet and other friends VINO
called to congratulate him his safe return.
and for each he had new collection of anec-
dotes illustrate the various steps OF the trip.
The horneward cruise was favored by delight-
full weather. and the smooth waters through
which the warships ploughed did not cause any
board to suffer even hint OF seasick-
ness When the President came home from New
Orleans last fall by sea the elements were not
so kind and all the members of his party sut-
fered exceedingly.
Perhaps the jolliest incident OF the Presidents
return trip entertainment given board
the Louisiana on the evening OF November D.
The show planned. produced and managed
by the enlisted men. and the President, Mira
Roosevelt, the officers OF the ship and the nom
participating jackies. constituted the audience
The stage was built at the extreme end os the
stern deck. and was fitted with electric lights.
giving first class theatrical performance The
guests of honor and the officers had front seats.
and behind them the deck up on the tur-
rets. higher up on the bridge. and. higher still.
even to the fighting tops. crawded the hundreds i
OF sailor boys. drinking IN with, eager attention
every detail Of the performance.
PRESIDENT PRAISES THE sEsOv =.
1T was one of the best shows ever saw in nv
life" declared the President to-day, 'and would
have done credit to professionals You ought TO
have heard the way those jackies pitched into
the comnlissary. The poor old commissary gets
the worst of it wherever you go, the world over.
no matter how we'll a crowd of men nav be
fed. they'll always poke fun at the grub. It's
the same way in the best hotels. the army, the
navy or out on the ranch The cook is always
up against it, and hears wherever he goes. that
his bread is not the kind that mother used TO
make And the officers of the ship were not
spared. either Jokes. and good ones. too. were
cracked at their expense. and the victims out
in front enjoyed them just as much as the
jackes The show ended with three rafting
good boxing matches Only were on the
original programme. but they threw in one mora
for good measure"
Were there any knockouts?' the President
was asked
ct should say not" exclaimed the President
too tough. But I tell you they were we'll worth
seeing"
The programme consisted of sixteen selections
made up of songs. sketches. solos of various
kinds and rnonologues
On the way up from Porto Rico, off Hatteras.
Captain Couden of the Louisiana gave orders 10
'let her OUT and for two three hours the
great ship humnied along at eighteen and
one-half knot speed considerably more than her
sion. II was about this time that the cruiser
Washington was obliged to drop TO. the rear on
account of hot brasses. but the Tenuessee
simply played with the Louisiana" as the
President expressed it. To show her going
powers. the Tennessee came up abreast OF the
Louisiana. dropped far astern. steamed in
wide arcs off TO either side of the batteship. and
then came up even with her nose again with the
speed Of arrow
HARD TO FIND AMERICANS EQUALS.
II believe that every ship in the navy can
show much better than her contract speed,'
said the President. discussing the performances
of the squadron to-day, and believe firmly
as believe I sitting here that You can't
find the equals of our sailors. officers and en-
listed men in any navy afioat.
II do not think that every Iandsman appraises
the advantages of the United States navy at
quite their proper value. Take an enlisted man at
been thirty years in the uniform; he win be by
that time in all probability a warrant or petty
officer and retires at the age OF fifty fifty
five on 5000 year. That's pretty good every
thing considered How many railroad
be certain OF a sure income of that amount
after they have grown gray in their work? The
ordinary employe in civil life is always dreadinS
dischargeg on account OF HIS age. for younger
men are forever crowding him out. The pension
that Uncle Sam promises is a pretty good one
and, what is better yet his promise is backed up
by a moderately solid bank account"
On the return voyage the President took din
ner with the petty officers mess and attended
a meeting in the garrison or warrant officers
club down four stories about as far as
YOU can get in the direction Of the keel" He
made a speech to the enlisted of the LOuisi-
lana on the last day out in which he told them
how much he had enjoyed his journey with them
and how proud he felt of the manner in whica
they conducted themselves, in action and out
of action.
One OF the interesting: discoveries that the
President made while abroad that the
Louisiana's gunners had a brand new method
of loading the 7-inchers. The President was
''let in" on this secret under promise that he
would not tell. for the Louisiana intends 20
spring the discovery surprise on the crews
of the other battleships one OF these days.
We'll now do they do it, one of the Prssl-
dents friends asked.
II promised not TO ten.' replied the President
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
The Presidents address referred 10 above fol-
lows:
Captain. and officers and enlisted men OF the