The Washington herald., 1908-06-26
TAFT AS MASCOT
NOT BIG SUCCESS
Yale Crew Loses Raca, with
ChiOan Looking On.
JOSTLED BY WAITING CROWD
Wait at New London station Results
In Secretary and Mrs. Taft Getting
Arrangements for Their Comfort
MRde-HHs Little to say.

New Haven. June 25.-Secretary Taft
spent a dull afternoon in New London.
except for some pretty rough Jostling at
the hands of the crowd
He had little TO say while the boat
race was in progress, and less after il
was finished AS a mascot for aquatics.
Yale has decided Mr.. Taft will never do.
lie did all right at baseball, but after
this, when he attends Yale commence
ments. his mascoting will be confined to
that branch Of sport alone
Mr.. Tafts mix-up with the New Lon
don crowd looked serious for a few min
utes, especially for Mrs. Taft The trou-
bic came about through a lack Of ar
rangements by A. B. Fieneld and other
members of the committee Of the class
of rs. Mr.. Taft's class. A wait OF twenty
minutes was scheduled at the New Lon
don station after the return OF the OBJ
servation train. and the rs committee
made no preparations whatever for the
protection of the Secretary and his wife
from the crowd
Mr. Taft and his wife were simply
dumped or on the station platform with
hardly a policeman In sight. and the
Secretary scarcely budged, and hundreds
who were still pouring out from the OBJ
servation car continued TO join the throng
Tries to Protect Mrs. Taft.
The Secretary endeayored as best he
could TO protect Mrs Taft and at the
same time open a way through the mass
Of humanity. Several Of his classmates
tried TO butt in as rescuers and made
matters worse. Finally the New London
chief Of police piloted the Secretary and
Mrs. Taft around behind the station. But
Mr.. Taft was not much better off there.
The IS class committee had failed 10
provide any a"to or other conveyance
SO they led the Secretary and his wife
into the crowded station. and seated them
in front OF a pile Of baggage which
many anxious travellers were struggling
10 reach. Mr. Tai, and his wife sat
there for about ten minutes. hemmed IN
by hundreds. and then there was another
struggle TO reach the train bound for
New Haven
Bouquets for Mrs. Taft.
Tn Secretary. with Mrs Taft and
their son Charlie. left here at p m. in
n car chartered by the class Of IS. Mrs.
TAFT carried two large bouquets. Some
members Of the Secretary's class objected
when he stepped up 10 the ticket Office
and started TO pay for fares. He and his
family. they said. were the guests of the
class.
"Oh, no." said Mr. Taft Paying IS
part OF the fun. and I'm down here 20
have all the fun I can get"
The run TO New London took about an
hour and "a half and the greater pari
OF this time Secretary Tai, spent in con-
ference with Charles r. Brooker. Of
AnSonia, a member Of the Republican Ma
tional Committee, The selection Of
chairman OF the national committee was
discussed, but neither Mr.. Taft nor Mr..
BrOoker would talk for publication on
that subject. After the races Mr. Taft
returned 20 New Haven.
Secretary Taft VIII go 10 oyster Bay
Saturday morning and lunch with the
President and Gen. Luke +. Wright In
the evening he will return 20 Washington.
where he will remain until he is ready %
go 10 Hot Springs. Va.