Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-06-25
TAFTATBALLGAMt
AN OVATION TO THE PREsIpEN.
TlAL CANDIDATE AT NEW
HAVEN, CONN.
GREETED BY MANY FRIENDS
Secretary Of War Puts In Busy Day
At the Commencement Ex.'
erelses Of His Alma
Mater.

New Haven, Conn, June 24,--This
has been glorious day for "Old ELL
q glorious day for Secretary William
Howard Taft. big Bill as he is at.
fectionately termed by all old Yale
men, was the center Tuesday Of all the
enthusiasm surrounding the Yale com
mencement festivities. The Quietude
Of Monday gave place Tuesday to the
most enthusiastic demonstrations Of
affectionate regard for one Of Yale's
most distinguished sons Throngs OF
graduates, students and crowds Of citi-
Gems OF New Haven followed the big
war secretary's every movement. From
the moment he appeared Tuesday
morning in a big automobile at Wood.
bridge hall, where he attended an
important meeting Of the Yale corpor;
alton, until Tuesday night when he
left the Edwards house-the headquar
tiers OF his class Of '7S-for the New
Haven country club to attend his class
dinner, thousands Of people constantly
were about him. They manifested
their affectionate regard for him in
every conceivable way. Glasses OF
graduates serenaded him with fine
bands; hundreds Of friends extended
personal greetings to him on the
street, at the Yale.Harvard game
Tuesday afternoon, and as the secre-
tary marched with his class to and
from Yale field the streets were
banked with people anxious to pay
their respects to the war secretary.
They shouted his name, they greeted
him with Yale remnants bearing ex-
cellent likenesses of him and scores
Of fond mothers held up their young
children that they might see so dis
tinguished son Of "0ld ELL"
This was, indeed, Taft day. Be-
ginning practically at the Ledyard
Memorial dedication where the secre-
tary delivered most felicitous ad.
dress in memory Of the Yale man of
'ss. who laid down his life in the
cause of his country, 1t ended in the
midst Of his classmates who had as
aembled to pay tribute TO their alma
mater, and for their eminent fellow
II
Leaving Woodbridge hall after the
dedication Of the flag staff, Secretary
Taft proceeded directly to the Ed
wards house where arrangements had s
been made to photograph the class Of I
70. i
Luncheon was served soon after
ward, hrs. Taft and Master Charlie 7
Taft, the wife and son Of the secre, {
harry, being among the guests. d
Directly after the luncheon and
the class Of rs, headed by !
Secretary Taft and Judge Howard c. a
H0llister of Cincinnati and Master !
Charlie Taft, formed for its march to d
Yale field to witness the Yale. Harvard
baseball game, It was notable that
Secretary Taft dsdained the use Of
IN automobile which was placed at e
bis disposal and insisted notwith- a
the excessive heat, upon {
with his class mates. 6
As the class Of rs swung through f
he entrance Of Yale field headed by t
Big BILL" the vast crowd Of $4,000 c
rose to its feet and under the leader f
ship Of the yell and song directors, I
began the thrilling cry with It's added t
snapper of nine "Tafts," 8
Secretary Taft never will forget the
scenes which he witnessed during the
next 80 minutes. The great throng
remained standing as the parade Of G
picturesquely CARRIED classes marched c
lrcund the field The parade delayed =
ne game for half an ho;r The sec. t,
letary has desired for weeks to see a v
1ali game for blood" and that de +,
IRE was gratihed Both teams were o
y edge and the contest was replete s.
With brilliant plays on both sides. a
Tale defeated Harvard by a score Of
too.