The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-23

| i alma mater, to-day to attend
the reunion OF his class--that
| of rs. Although his intention was
of rs, he found himself the chief
guest of the commencement exercises.
and he had scarcely entered the shadow
of the university buildings before he
| took up the duties OF a member Of
the corporation.
Very few opportunities came for him
to clasp the hands OF the many '7s
men who had gathered In the old Ed
wards mansion on Elm Street. selected
as class headquarters, for he was inn
mediately escorted to Woodbridge Hall
L for the corporation meeting, then into
The Commons to speak to the young
men who are about to get their law
school sheepskins; then to the law
school itself. and finally to the col-
lege hall, where the medical exercises
were held.
Chcercd Everywhere.
Mr.. Taft reached the city at I
o'clock unaccompanied. Mrs. Taft and
Master Charles Taft having come on
an earlier train to the home of Mr..
and Mrs. w. W. Farnum. whose guests
they are to be until Thursday. Mr..
Taft was met at the station by dele
CATION from his class, and after an
exchange of greetings he stepped into
an automobile and was whisked away
to the Edwards house, where about
forty rs men were ready to extend n
welcoming hand
After short stay. the secretary
went to Woodbridge Hall, where the
corporation was in session. He lelt
this meeting little later. walked
~, ND
pa ssing in was met with cheer from
those who first got glimpse of him.
His advent was Just at the conclusion
OF an address by ex-senator Spooner.
| of Wisconsin. The entire alumni
bodies rose and cheered the secretary
until Memorial Hall re-echoed. Later
or. Mr.. Taft spoke to the young men.
who in cap and gown sat at long
table in front of him. The secretary
subsequently returned to the corpo-
ration meeting. and at Its conclusion don
ned the robes of doctor OF laws. ana
walked to the law school. AS he en-
tered the auditorium John w. Foster
was making an address, but the audi
ence rose and cheered wildly.
AT the close of these exercises the
secretary, accompanied by President
Hadley, and escorted by the faculty
of the medical school. walked to COL
lcge Hall, where he attended the eN-
ercises there. On the steps of Osborne
Hall were gathered groups of Yale
men back for their reunion, most OF
them in fantastic garb. and these lus-
tily cheered him.
AT college hall the secretary WAS
Joined by his brother, Horace D. Taft,
of Watertown, Conn, who accompanied
him back to Woodbridge Hall, when the
exercises were ended. This in effect
ended Mr.. Taft's first official day at
Yale.
To Witness Bont Race.
President Roosevelt and Secretary
Taft will both witness the Yale-Har-
ward boat race on the Thames at New
London Thursday. This interesting
fact, making necessary change in
Secretary Taft's plans for the latter
part Of the week, developed to-niglt.
The secretary had arranged tenta-
lively with the President to confer
with him at Oyster Bay on Friday. He
was to be accompanied to Oyster Bay
by General Luke E. Wright who Is to
succeed him as Secretary Of War, A
telegram received by Secretary Taft
from the President late to-day re-
quested that the indicated change be
made because he had himself decided
to witness the boat race on Thursday.
He will arrive at New London on the
Syph directly from Oyster Bay. and
will not be able to return in time for
the propoSed conference.