Evening star., 1909-04-18
EXECUTIVE OF NATION
AND MRS. TAFT THERE
First Lady of the Land With Hus-
band in Motor Car.
FILIPINO BAND WINS APPLAUSE
Constant Stream of Vehicles of All
Sorts Moves Along Roadway.
Horseback Riders on Path.
.Canoeists on the Water.

An opaIescent sunset rivaiing the glory
OF italian skies, the benediction OF
beautiful day. smiled on the Philippine
Constabulary Band early last evening as
IL closed with the national air, the IN
augural concert on the new Potomac
drive. as 1t has been officially designated
by President Taft. 1t was perhaps the
most brilliant and largely attended out
door concert ever given in the National
capital. and Mrs. Taft, as she sat beside
the President in their motor car. smiled
with serene satisfaction at the success
fui realization of her idea. For it was
the first lady of the land who decreed
that the new drive bordering tie tidai
basin should be the scene of summer
concerts hereafter.
The President smiled. too. as he sat
beside her-smiled to see Mrs. Taft SO
pleased; smiled TO behold the p,easurable
scene around him. smiled as he listened
TO the beautiful music Of the band,
whose creation was largely due to his
initiation; smiled despite the fact that
his car was banked around with admir-
ing citizens SO deeply that at times it
was almost lost TO view, while thousands
of others gazed with curiously peering
traction; citizens OF Washington with
their wives and children, because the
protecting phalanx Of military which has
heretofore lowered around the execu-
tive presence. the sleuths of the secret
service and even the always important
policemen were not needed to preserve
order. nor were they enough in evidence
to mar the serenity Of the scene.
Everybody In Attendance.
Everybody was there. Everybody who
had a carriage, q cart or a motor car
push, electric or gasoline. while across
the green lawns and along the smoothly
graded grass lined roads those who trav-
vailed afoot trooped by thousands. Per
sons whose minds ran to mathematics
rather than to music estimated the crowd
At anywhere from 7,0OO to 10000, while
the motor cars and other vehicles lined
the road around the vast ellfpse as far
a. the eye could reach an inner circle
of two abreast and standing still, while
oeyond there was a constant stream OF
others moving in both directions.
The order on the road and among the
vast crowd was ideal. There was not
an incident to mar the complete pleasure
OF the occasion. The few bench seats
which had been provided were soon filled,
and. let 1t be noted, nearly entirely with
tired men who had the nerve to usurp
them. Even around on the grass, which
is thick. green and beautiful, there were
hundreds who ran the risk OF colds and
rheumatism and sat apparently as COM
Portable as IL they were on Turkish div
ans. Babies were seen In abundance,
while around the saddle path that skirts
the outer part of the ellipse rode numer-
Gus horseback riders. male and female,
some in khaki. some in darker cloth and
divided 70 h. cx
of the bandstand. where polo field had
been laid out officers OF artillery and en-
gineers struggled in an exciting game.
which. as an old lady observer remarked,
tage 10 both sides" Maj Richard Syl-
vester. in the humility OF plain clothes.
skirted the roadway UP and down in q
vehicle. contentedly smiling at the order
" gathering and glancing with disdain at
the representatives OF the army who
seemed to be present In the interest OF
peace.
Girls-With Hats.
Then there were the girls. the girls
with hats-and, oh. such hats! All the
colors of the rainbow. separately and
blended In their construction with cher
riss and strawberries. pompons and
aigrettes. feathers and ribbons, what
nots. forget-me-nots and ruschias. pink
trimming. were included. NV. but they
were gorgeous, Natural flowers 1oo
seemed to be fashionable. and gardenias.
vfoiets. roses. sweet peas. lilies OF the
great profusion and added their colored
glory to the beauty OF the scene.
Around the bandstand. an octaRonal
structure adorned with the national col
ors and wreaths OF evergreen. were gath
cred several thousand men. women and
children. who gave freely Of applause
to the Uttle brown musicians The con-
cert began sharply at 8 o'clock. and with
but short intermissions Capt. Walter
Howard Loving, the director. led the
band through a program of beautiful
and appropriate selections.
President and Mrs. Taft Arrive.
1t was a quarter to o'clock when
the presidential car drew up near the
bandstand. with the President and Mrs
Taft. Immediately there was great com
motion. The people clapped their hands
waved their hats and handkerchiefs. and
In mild tones so as not TO interrupt Tho
band cheered they crowded around
the car. Mr.. Taft took II all good ma
turedly. There was no rude thrustin.
back OF the crowd. no display of police.
mems clubs. no violence. The Presi-
dent sat and smiled as he raised his ha,
from time to time in acknowledgment,
OF the simple tribute Of admiration from
the people which manifested itself lafge-
ly in wishing TO just look and gaze al
him.
When the band. few minutes later
struck up the old familiar Hail to the
CHIEF the demonstration was taken ur
by those farther away and continued fol
some minutes. For time the folks or
the seats turned their backs on the mu.
sicians. climbed ON their benches and
sought To get a glimpse OF the President
and Mrs. Taft. Those near by closed In
around the presidential car and jus,
gazed-thai was all.
Thousands who had never heard the
Filipino band had the opportunity ane
there was room for thousands more Il
hear IL with comfort and with the same
keen pleasure that II seemed TO awaken
In those vino applauded II at the coneer
Yesterday afternoon. Its Interpretation
Of the program. the numbers OF whicl
Sere given In The Star yesterday, wa,
artistic and satisfying. The overture
from "The Poet and Peasant seemed Il
Sake a new meaning In the keeping o
1Continued on Second Page.)