The sun., 1908-06-24
TAFT LEADS RIOTERS PARADE
LOTS OF FUN AND GOOD CHEER AT
YALE-HARVARD BALL GAME.
Presidential Candidate At the Front OF All
the Doings In Honor OF Famous Class
OF '7s-Poses in Ralnstorm, Trudges
through Mud and Smiles All the Time.

~
through Mud and Smiles All ahe Time.
New HAVEN, June 2s.-Secretary Taft
led the parade OF Yale alumni around the
baseball field to-day and Joined in the
cheering that helped to send the Harvard
team down to defeat.
As a redhot college rooter Mr.. Taft has
few equals, and when it comes to tramping
through mud on parade he is almost in
class by himself.
II politicians have any doubt about his
endurance in a rough and ready campaign
march they ought to have been here to-
day. When many Of his classmates Of '7S.
dripping perspiration were crying for
halt he was plodding along cheerfully
on the heels OF the band. waving salutes
10 the right and the left
This business Of having q Presidential
nominee in your class" gasped one '7s
man as he mopped his brow, SIS fine to
talk about at home. but let me tell you it
means a devil of lot Of leg work down
here in New Haven"
Mr.. Taft heard early in the day from
Gov. Herrick Of Ohio that it was probable
James s. Sherman. his running mate would
have to undergo an operation out in Cleve-
land Mr.. Taft Immediately sent this
message to Mr.. Sherman:
Am greatly distressed to hear Of your
illness. Hope Gov. Hcrrick will keep me
advised Of your restoration to health.
which earnestly pray may be rapid.
Nv. H. TAFT
Mr.. Taft said that Mr.. Sherman's illness
was not entirely unexpected by him. He
understood that it might be necessary
for Mr.. Sherman to undergo an operation
that would be painful. but not necessarily
dangerous.
j. Pierpont Morgan arrived in town at
43o o'clock in the afternoon. when Mr.. Taft
and his classmates were cheering them
selves hoarse out at the baseball field, but
he did not meet the Secretary. The degree
OF doctor Of laws will be conferred on Mr..
Morgan at the annual commencement Of
the university tomorrow. Mr.. Morgan
came on a special train and Is the guest to-
night Of Anson Phelps Stokes. secretary Of
the university, Mr.. Morgans yacht. the
Corsair, is in the harbor. Members of his
family will join him at the commencement
exercises tomorrow.
Secretary Tafts fun for the day began in
pouring rainstorm. He had been busy
all the morning attending meeting of the
Yale Corporation. Of which he is fellow.
and delivering one or two little speeches.
He announced when he joined his class
mates on the steps Of Old Centre Church. on
the college green. at o'clock that he was
through work for the day and that he was
going TO light right out and have the very
best time he knew how. AS a starter he
discarded the sober looking gown that
enveloped him all the morning and slapping
the reverend somebody or other on the back
sang out: Say, Charlie, IL / looked as old
as you do wouldn't show myself in this
parade
But the photographer was ready to snap
the class picture and somebody hollered:
For the love Of Moses. Bill, sit down and
give the picture man chance
YES chorused two or three others. "we
don't mind having you in the picture with
us provided you only give our faces a show"
And 80 they tucked Mr. Taft in q hole-a
good big hole-in the middle Of the group
just as they all had their picture taken as
freshmen on the same steps thirty-three
years ago.
Just then, though, the heavens opened
all their stopcocks and the rain fell in buck
etfuls, but the big Secretary didn't bulge
an inch. II anything. the smile on his face
broadened
'Cut it out, cut it out let's wait until the
rain stops" yelled some Of the baldheaded
'1S men.
Not on your life!" shouted others. We'll
never get this crowd together again after
we win that game"
They ell sat there while the picture man
fired away with three or four different
plates. Then they jumped up and huddled
around the pillars of the church. ard those
who couldn't get on the leeward side of a
pillar edged in behind Taft.
The ninety six men were held on the
church steps for about half an hour and
then they beat It away to get on some dry
clothes before going to the baseball field.
The rain cooled the air and as the sun
blazed forth again many Of the thousands
of Yale commencement folks who had begun
10 feel squeamish over the prospect of hav-
ing their fun spoiled said Talk Of Roose-
welt luck. what's the matter with Taft?'
Secretary Taft and his classmates started
for the Yale Field from their headquarters
at the old Edwards lsouse on Elm street at
about o'clock. The Secretary had his
little son Charlie with him. Headed by a
brass band they marched across the college
green to Chapel street and up for about two
blocks, where they boarded special cars.
Everybody was ready to give Yale's most
famous living alumnus great reception
when he appeared on the field All Of the
reunion classes had assembled at the gate
to await his arrival and inside the enclosure
about $1,000 persons were banked up on
three sides of the field
As a standard bearer with the Stars and
Stripes followed by another with the white
numerals '7s on a blue background ap-
peared in the gateway a cheer went up from
both the Yale and Harvard supporters. just
behind the flags walked Big Bill Taft with
Judge Howard G. Hollister of Cincinnati on
one side and James Lamberton OF Harris
burg, secretary of the class OF 7s. on the
other. Mr.. Taft acknowledged the greeting
by waving his hat and then the march
started around the field. AS the Secretary
and his classmates passed each stand they
were cheered, Then there was a lot more
cheering when Mr.. Taft took his place with
his classmates in the front row Of the west
stand Mrs. Taft was waiting for him
there, and she sat with him during the entire
game, sharing in the general tribute that
was paid to the class Of IL.
Tho nfhar ra,tntnn claaaaa