The Washington times., 1908-10-17
PRESIDENT SMILES
ON GREET CROWDS
Makes Short Address at
Performance in the
Morning.
Continued from First Page1


dulgent sun shone respondent upon he'll
met and uniform, making every child
spectator gaze wOndrOusly at the con
fusion Of ii all
To many of the growu-ups. too, an
outdoor production OF this magnitude.
with but the fashIonIngs of nature for
a stage, was a novelty never before
Witnessed, and there were constant rep
eJtions OF surprise and wonder.
There was many sigh from thOsr
who wanted "A peep behind the wings
that had been provided, il seemed al
most for the very purpose, by Mothe-
Nature.
Just beyond the little slope, In front
of which fitting actors were telling
over again that wonderful childhood
story of Pandora" and Midas, stood
a few screens, the dressing rooms for
the handsomely costumed class. Earth
Ell In the rear stood the magnificent
State. War. and Navy building, to the
north the White House. with the first
lady OF the land watching the scene
which had in part been her doing; TO
the south a fountain played, the music
OF its waters falling softly with the
cadenCes of the voices Of those partici-
pating in the little mimic world upon
nature > SNAker 10 the west were kLlt
Eaily bedecked crowds, standing. sitting,
stopping from every point of vantage
on the little knobs that go to make the
south grounds Of the White House one
Of the most ideal spots in washington.
Actors Do Their Best.
1t was a pleasing scene and no won
der the actors did their best and every
body came away satisfied The per
formances moved without a hitch. lust
as they might upon the stage Of any
theater; congratulations were in order
for every member of the committee
who has worked for the success of
the novel entertainment, and the re-
salts. financially, were most gratifying
The performance was perfect in de-
tail, execution, and Greeklike sim
phcity. Those who saw the Ben Greet
players in their former productions in
Washington. left the grounds with the
feeling that If anything the effective
ness of the wonder tales had been
increased in the al fresco performances.
1t seemed eminently fitting that the
falryiike creatures Of HawthOrne's
imagination should be revived out amid
natures surroundings. in the sunlight.
near flowing streams and upon his
toric ground.
School Children Applaud.
Members OF the Board of Education.
Superintendent of Schools Stuart. super
vislng principals. and principals from
many OF the schools occupied boxes
and seats OF vantage at this mornings
performance. The sChCCI children and
their parents occupied the greater por-
tion OF the seats. although there were
hundreds VINO took advantage Of the
school childrCn's matinee TO-DAY init cad
81 the opening performance yesterday
- IS estimated that a0Out 5000 persons
d all were present this morning
Mrs. Roosevelt asked Vice Chairman
West of the executive committee to an
Bounce that Ben Greet had generously
declined TO accept any remuneration for
the productions besides the actual ex-
pense Incurred The entire proceeds.
therefore. beyond a few minor expenses.
will 20 To the Fairgrounds Association
Mr. Greet and his players recurring
nothing for their time or talent
Although II was said at the close Of
the performance that il was impossible
10 estimate at this hour the probable
net income from the White House
grounds performance, every member Of
the committee seemed especially. graft
ned with the success Of the affair both
from the social and. financial viewpoint
Presidents COngratulation.
Just after leaving the stage, President
Roosevelt shook hands with the mem
bers Of the executive committee Of the