Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-05-29
FOR TAFT
Members of Tri-City Press Club
Discuss Entertainment
of Noted Guest.
PUBLIC MAY MEET HIM
Arsenal Grounds Thrown Open for Re
ception-Banquet at Davenport
Commercial Club.

of the Tri-City Press club was held az
|Fejervary park i'll Davenport last eve
ming. A number OF additional details of
the visit of Judge William H. Taft, secre-
tary of war, and General William Gro
zier, chief of ordnance. L. s. 4, June
II as guests of the club, were made.
and two interesting addresses heard.
A report on the arrangements al.
ready completed for entertainment Of
the distinguished visitors next month
was made by B. F. Tillinghast. chair
man of the reception committee in
charge Mr. Tillinghast explained
that, contrary to an impression that
prevailed in some quarters, Judge
Taft and General Crozier come to the
tri-cities at this time for no other rea-
son than because they have been in
vited to do so by the Press club. Com
mandant S. E. Blunt of Rock Island
arsenal was not advised of their inten-
tons until informed by the clubs COM
mittee. The visitors will be entertain
ed at the arsenal for the reason that
military etiQuet demands that they be.
the arsenal in military usages being
the home of the secretary of war which
he may occupy at any time and give
orders at pleasure. Another reason
for giving the guests of the club tn"
fullest opportunity to see the arsenal
is that it is an institution in which all
three cities are vitality interested and
the development of which is generally
seen the local post and this fact, in
connection with his presidential aspir-
ations. lends unusual Importance to his
visit However the fact must not be
overlooked that his coming here has
no political significance from the
Press clubs standpoint.
Comes From Milwaukee.
The details of the itinerary of the
secretary of war have been published.
1t is generally known that he comes
here from Milwaukee where he deliv-
ers an address the evening of June 10
and goes from here to deliver an al
dress at the commencement of the
University of Iowa. To bring him
here from Chicago, Mr.. Tillinghast eX-
planned. and to allow him time to iii
spect the arsenal by daylight, some
close figuring in railway schedules
must be done. 1t may be necessary to
charter a special train from Chicago
here. The secretary makes it plain
that he will not accept free transporta-
ton from any railway company.
As now planned Judge Taft will
reach Moline about l O'Clock in the af
ternoon of June II. He will be met
at Moline by Colonel Blunt and the re-
ception committee of the Press club,
and will be taken by the latter to the
arsenal and become the cOmmandant' )
guest at luncheon.
This will be made as short as pos
sible. and after it the secretary
will meet the coloners staff and be
whisked about the arsenal grounds IT
an automobile and given an opportunity
to see every part, including the shops
in operation. A public reception will
be given at the Rock Island Arsenal
noon. during which time the island viii
| be thrown open to the public. This
will be the only opportunity for the
public to meet the secretary, he being
| the guest of the Press club during tn
remainder of his stay. The banquet
in the evening will take place at The
Davenport Commercial club.
Most Central Place.
| The merits of various places in the
three cities for the public reception
were discussed, but it was finally de
cided that the arsenal grounds, which
were rendered by Colonel Blunt. was the
most central and best adapted TO ar
affair of that kind. In selecting {
place for the banquet the new Com
mercial club was accepted on recon
mendation of the committee, which re
ported that by holding the function
there the visitors could be kept near;
half an hour longer than if it wer'
held in either of the other cities. TIL,
club is near the Rock Island depo
and the secretary leaves over thu
Rock Island road for low;
lefty at shortly after 10 o'clock
Rock Island relinquished all claim t,
the banquet on the ground that thi
city has entertained Bryan and man
other distinguished visitors brOugh
here by the Press club, and Molin
gracefully yielded on the argument u
greater convenience advanced in be
half of Davenport. Colonel Blunt an
lstaff were invited to be honorary guest
of the evening.
officers of the club, the standing
reception and entertainment commi
tees and several other individual men
bers were added to the general con
mittee on arrangements which is no'
composed as follows:
Club officers-John Sundine, pres
dent, J. J. LaVelle and Ralph Gran
vice presidents: Ellsworth Rundquis
secretary; J. H. McKeever, F. v
Rinck and J. E. Hartman, directors.
( Club Reception committee of e