The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-04-28
TAFT EULOGzES
YALE UNIVERSITY
Secretary of War Addresses
Federation of
Clubs.
Third Annual Meeting of
Organization at Gin
cinnati.

when the Associated Western Yale Clubs
met in convention with nearly 300 dele
gates present. representing practically
every section of the great inteTmOuntain
region. Fourteen clubs were present,
including Chicago. ST. Louis. Indianap-
oils, Louisville, St. Paul, Kansas City,
Cincinnati, Wisconsin, Cleveland, Day
ton. Michigan. Central Ohio. Tennessee.
and North Carolina.
Election of officers resulted in F. S.
Dixon being chosen president; r. A.
Harmon. vice president; George Welsh.
secretary, and c. A. Otis, treasurer, all
from Cleveland. Cleveland was selected
rs the next place of meeting.
The delegates were entertained at
luncheon at the University Club by
Charles P. Taft and Major Frank
Jones, president of the Cincinnati Club.
Daring the afternoon they were taken
on automobile trips.
At the banquet tonight held at the
Sinton Hotel, President Hadley and
Secretary Taft were the chief guests.
Both of them delivered addresses. Sec
rotary Taft said:
Brothers Of Yale:
This is a time in the history OF the
world when association is the order Of
the day, and a sympathetic feeling
among even a few on any subject matter
justifes the forming of a society. When
the society is formed, the next thing,
and often the chief thing, in its devel-
Dpment is banquet. The whole coun-
try. from the Atlantic to the Pacific, is
engaged in holding banquets.
In view Of this epidemic Of prandial
and postprandial societies, it may be
superfiuous to point out or dwell upon
the reason for the association in whose
name we gather tonight. The banquets
it gives and the speeches it secures
justify II. But the humor of an occasion
like this is chiefly reminiscent, and it is
rot Inappropriate, therefore, to invite
your attention to the fact that in this
city in December. 1864. in a law office
in the Masonic Temple, was organized
the first Yale Club that was formed
anywhere in this country of the gradu-
Rtes Of our alma mater, and that in
this company are tottering and vener-
able alumni of the classes Of IS and "a
who were present at that first meeting.
From that time on, the custom has
become general in every community
where there were more than two or
three Yale men. to form a Yale Club
joice over the good fortune of the mem
bers in having such an alma mater. The
custom spread to the alumni of other
universities and colleges. who recog-
nized the excellence Of the new Idea,
and now it is general.
Formation of Federation.
Within very recent years II occurred
20 the members of these various Yale
clubs situated in the different cities and
States that an association Of clubs into
a larger society would be productive of
many benefits, the chief of which would
inure to the grand old institution to
which we owe so auckland so was
formed this Western Federation of Yale
Clubs. which had its first meeting in
Chicago two years ago. its second meet
ing in St Louis, and now its third
meeting In Cincinnati.
Such an organization as this makes
for the good OF Yale in that il arOuses
interest in The university the country
over. and J: keeps before the eyes Of
fathers and mothers who are seeking
a place to give their sons an education
the fact that, il they are fortunate
enough to be able TO send their sons
10 Yale. they will not only confer upon
them all the benefits of q university
education. hut that they win also give
TO their boys a wealth Of sweet mem
Dries and n bond of association with
their fcIlow-aIumni that no other uni
Versity in this country can give.
Another benefit which follows from
the organization of a club. or an asso-
citation OF clubs like this, is the fact that
st furnishes an opportunity for the
disqualification and expression of opin-
ions by the alumni of the university
upon the broad policies to be pursued
in the progress which the university
makes. This has been recognized by
the creation OF an advisory council, con-
sisting Of delegates or representatives
appointed BY the various Yale clubs of
the country who meet TO consider and
discuss important questions referred TO
them by the corporation.
Moral Tone Improved.
II is not true that because hazing has
disappeared. because drunkenness is
very much less. that therefore men
may not develop rugged practical quail
ties fitted TO resist temptations Of af-
ter life; and all of us ought to- rejoice
that the material growth OF Yale since
we were there has been paralleled by
an Improvement in the moral tone of
the student body and in the standards
Set by that public opinion which is even
stronger as an influence in the college
community at New Haven than in the
body polite at large.
The change has not affected the spirit
OF independence. Of self-reliance. or of
democracy that we all like to think Of
as especially characteristic OF Yale. The
interest in public affairs, the sense of
responsibility es citizens, the honor
able ambition TO attain positions of
prominence and influence are all mo-
1ives as strong today in Yale as they
ever were.
Through the suffrages Of the alumni Of
Yale since our last meeting, 1t was my
honor and good fortune TO be made a
member OF the governing body of the
university--the Yale CorpOration-and
have attended every meeting since. be-
cause OF the intense interest that 1 feel
in the grand old college. This has
stirred my interest in the form of gov
eminent OF that institution
Influence of Athletics.
I should Ike 10 say something with
respect to he athletics at Yale and their
la