Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-31
President Greets 0Iympian
Team at Oyster Bay.
"FINE, OH FINE" SAYS HE
And Mrs. Roosevelt Is Nice to Them
All, Too.
HAYES SPECIALLY HONORED
After Short Speech and Light Re-
freshments They Leave as Happy
AS You Please.

Special Dispatch to The Star
OYSTER BAY, August 31.-President
Roosevelt at noon today received the
members of the American Olympic team
At Sycamore Hill. The President and
Mrs. Roosevelt stood at the front door Of
the house and as each athlete filed past
both the President and his wife shook
hands with him heartily. and the Presi-
dent paid a compliment to each man.
Then, when all were assembled in the
library. the President delivered a short
address. After that refreshments were
served in the dining room.
The Sycamore, with the athletes on
board. was half an hour late in reaching
the Emlin Roosevelt dock at the foot of
Sycamore Hill. and when the boat did
arrive the tide was so far out that
the athletes had to be rowed ashore in
boats. Many villagers had gone out to
the dock in rowboats. launches, sail
boats or whatever craft they could get,
and all gladly turned their craft over to
the visitors.
When the party We're landed safely
President p. j. Conway Of the Irish
American Athletic Club and chairman OF
the executive committee OF the parade
and James E. Sullivan, United States
commissioner. formed the men in line and
the march up the stony hill and through
the woods to the Presidents home was
begun. AS the party neared their desti-
nation all started to whistle ''There'll Be
a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight"
They Walked Right In.
Arrangements had been made by the
President to welcome the visitors In his
home. and the wide front door Of the
house was thrown open. Secret service
men on the veranda formed the men in
line and allowed one man at time to
enter the house. Just inside the house
stood President Roosevelt in white
linen suit and Mrs. Roosevelt. Mr.. Con-
way and Mr.. Sullivan stood beside them
and introduced each man to the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt. On the veran-
da sat Mr.. and Mrs. Nicholas Longworth
and all Of the Presidents children.
The first athlete to be introduced was
John J. Hayes, the Marathon winner.
Here's the top notcher." said the Presi-
dent. as he grasped Hayes hand in a
vince. "This is fine. fine continued the
President. working his visitors hand up
and down like pump handle. "And I
am so glad that a New York boy won it.
BY George, I am so glad to see all you
boys"
sheppard Is Consoleu.
Melville w. Sheppard came second. Il
am right glad to see you" said the Pres
ident with forceful smile. II followed
you during the Olympic games. This is
certainly mighty nice. Let's see: aren't
you a member Of the New York police
force?'
NO" said Sheppard. sadly. 'they
turned me down"
well. by gracious. wish were still
commissioner" said the President.
J. A. Rector was the third man to re-
ceive the presidential grip and smile. To
each man the President had some new
variation of welcome. To Rector he said:
This IL simply phenomenal. simply
sight. his mighty shoulders blocking the
doorway, the President reached out and
grabbed both of Flanagan's hands. This
Is the big man." said the President; u
am mighty glad to see you"
When Taylor. the colored athlete. came
along he got just as hearty greeting. and
when Sullivan introduced II. ]. McGrath
as 1.-The heavyweight man. the President
replied: by George, he looks it.; I am
glad to see you"
Every One Made Happy.
One by one the athletes filed past the
President and to each one Mr.. Roosevelt
spoke words of welcome and encourage
ment. Then the athletes passed along to
tors with smile and handshake. When
the last man had filed past, the President
led the way to his library.
Talk and Refreshments.
In the library the President made a
short speech. very much to the point.
The ceremonies occupied only a short
time, and then some slight refreshments
were served to the party.
After the reception the party descended
the hill to the waters edge and re-em-
barked for New York. Every one of
the men was highly pleased with the
warm welcome extended to them by the
nations chief executive.
Later in the day the athletes will at
tend Big Tim Sullivan's outing at Col
lege Point After that they will scatter
until September 8. when they will be the
central figures at the big banquet to be
given in their honor at the Waldorf-As-
toria by the Irish-American Athletic Club.
Members Who Went.
The members of the Olympic team who
went to Oyster Bay were Plat Adams.
Charles ]. Bacon, P. G. Billars, G. Bon
hag. Joseph Bromilow, w. G. Burroughs.
C. B. Bearo, G. c.. Cameron. ]. c. Car
penter. E. P. Carr. r. c. Cloughen. G. A.
Dull. John ]. Flanagan. Joseph Forshaw,
Robert B. Foster. ]. C. Garrels. H. A. Gid
ney. A. c.. Gilbert, A. M. Goessling.
I. Bud Boodwin, H. G. Grote. NJ. H. Grit
fin, James B. Green. J. p. Halstead. H. J.
Hebner. Harry L. Hillman, c. L. Hall, F.
g. Irons. Clark s. Jacobs. Daniel ]. Kelly.
H. J. McGrath. W. w. May. George N.
Menhart, T. P. Morrisey. Frank Mount
pleasant. J. F. O'Conneli. John N. Pat
terson. Harry F. Porter. William C. Prout.
J. A. Rector, L. v. Rich, L. Robertson
Ralph Rose. NJ. c. Ryan, A. b. Shaw,
Melville Sheppard. Frank P. s. Sheehan,
B. F. Sherman. Forest C. Smithson. r.
A. Splitter. ]. p. Sullivan, Lee ]. Talbot,
]. B TAYLOR H / Tr,Ihe c. D. Truden-