The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-21
ROOSEVELT PARTY
 ESCAPE A WRECK Handcar Is On Track Ahead
 ofSpecial Train BIG TURNOUT OF PEOPLE Oyster Bay Folk Make Biggest Dem onstration In Welcoming Presi- dent That They Have Made
 For Six Years.
BIG TURNOUT OF PEOPLE

Oyster Bay, N. r., June 20.-(Spe- cia1.)-President and Mrs. Roosevelt and all the passengers upon the special train bringing the Presidents family from Long Island City to his summer home were given a shaking up just before the special train reached Glen Head station. Without warning the brakes were suddenly thrown on with full power and every one was pitched forward in their seats. The locomo tive whistle began screaming, brake train to give warning in front and be- hind the train and confusion reigned.
 The conductor after a brief delay, assured the President that he did not believe there was any real danger, but said that a block signal had suddenly been set against the train as it was en- tering a block. Two minutes later Il hand car filled with section hands came numbering around bend in the road.
 The lifting of the hand car upon the track just in time to set the signal before the Presidents special entered the block was all that prevented what might have been a serious disaster. The Presidents train was late and running at high speed and could not have been stopped in time to miss the car had the signal not given warning at the last second.
 Welcome From People.
 Beyond this scare the trip of Pres- dent Roosevelt's party from Washing ton was practically without incident until his arrival here, where it ap- peared as if every one in the village had turned out to welcome him upon his return home as President. It was the largest turnout of the townspeople in six years. Flags appeared upon buildings and carriages and automo- piles were covered with flags and flow CTS, surrounded the station All the school children marched to meet the President and for 15 minutes after his arrival he was kept busy shaking hands and greeting his neighbors One lit tie girl carried little Teddy Bear in her arms which she lifted to the President and he shook hands with the bear. While the Presidents train was being held up for an hour and half in Long Island City awaiting the ar rival of Kermit and Archie Roosevelt from Groton school, to informally an- nounce that the President had decided upon a change in the inaugural cere- monies in Wash shington next spring.
 No matter who is elected" said Mr. Loeb, "the President has decided to change the old form of ceremony
 Heretofore it has been thecustom for the retiring President, after his successor has been sworn, to enter a carnage and ac- company his successor back to the White House. Mir. Roosevelt, however, has de- cided that as he becomes a private citi- zen the moment his successor takes the oath, that he will not appear in any fur ther ceremonies. He at once will enter a carriage for the railroad. His first trip will be to Oyster Bay to prepare for his hunt in Africa with his son Kermit The two will be u.laccompanied upon the hunt ing trip. This will start about April 1. Members of Party.
 Besides the President and Mrs. Roose- vet there were in their private car from Washington Secretary Root, Postmaster General Meyer, Ethel and Quinten Roose- vel, Secretary Loeb. Mrs. Loeb. Assistant