Evening star., 1909-05-30
President Taft Thoroughly En-
joys His Pittsburg Trip.
PITCHES IN BALL GAME
Sees the Cubs and Pirates Play for
Eleven Innings.
SITS IMPARTIAL AMID RIOTERS
Attends Session of Associated West
ern Yale Clubs and Speaks at
Banquet Closing Session.

PIT1SBURG, May 29.-Away from
the cares of state at Washington. away
from the tariff and the task of filling
federal offices. President Taft thoroughly
enjoyed himself today through fifteen
hours of play and continuing excite
ment. He made four speeches at as
many different places. rode many miles
by automobiles and special trains.
played pitcher in a game of ball at the
Allegheny Country Club I'm the early
afternoon. and then. returning To town,
sat through the eleven innings of the
contest between the Pittsburg and
Chicago teams of the National League.
The President assisted at the dedica-
ton of a fountain in Arsenal Park,
attended a business meeting of the As
sociated Western Yale Clubs, had lunch
con at Sewickeiy Heights, fourteen
miles out OF the city. and tonight was
the principal speaker at the brilliant
banquet which brought to "A close the
annual sessions of the Western Yale
Clubs.
A Continuous Ovation.
Pittsburgs welcome to the President
was a continuous ovation. Wherever he
"Sil LAG was Icl by tioWuS VI iIttilIrs
thousands. The streets through which
he passed were fairly blocked with hu-
manity. After the ball game, while the
Presidents automobile was threading its
way through 9Th street, there was at one
time a seemingly impossible human bar
rier >cross the thoroughfare. The police
finally opened a way, however. and the
Presidents car passed safely through
The President during the early part
OF the day was the guest Of the city and
state. Later he was turned over To TN.
Yale men. He left the sons of Old Eli
at play at the Country Club while he
iourneyed back to the city to witness
the professional game of ball. The ball
game was a departure from the original
program, which caused some disappoint-
ment to the Yale men, but which ap-
parently brought joy to the 1000 Pitts
burg fans gathered on grandstand and
bleachers and overfiowing into the play
ing field.
Sits With the Rooters.
Private boxes in the upper part of the
big stana were rendered the President. but
he chose to sit in the main body of the
grandstand surrounded by a perfect jam
of Pittsburg 'rooters'' On either side OF
the President were Secretary of State
Knox, a stanch supporter of the PittsburS
team, and Charles p. Taft, principal
owner of the Chicago Cubs. Consequently
the chief executive was torn by conflicting
emotions. He wanted both teams 10 win.
and was happiest when the score was a
tie which il was from the seventh to the
eleventh, when whole flock or pears
crossed THE plate and broke up an eXcit-
ing game by score of to ). President
Hadley of Yale also sat with the Presi-
dent Capt. Archibald Butt. military aid
to the President was in the party. and
nearby. to explain the fine points of the
game in minutest detail. was President
f,l,. ,.ia Of hn n n n
Secretary Knox and the President
brother had great fun in wagering as To
the outcome of the contest. and appealed
in turn for the Presidents support.
No sir replied the President. Il in
sist upon maintaining a judicial attitude
in this matter.
In Pittsburg's half of the lucky sew
enth the President set the rooters TO
cheering by standing for luck with
the rest of the great crowd All through
the game there We're calls for cheers for
the President, and they were given III
great sweeping waves of sound. which
echoed back from the high hills over
looking the park.
The Presidents assistance to the Pitts
burg rooters in the seventh resulted in
the local team tying the score. With
the score still tied at the end of the
eighth. the President exclaimed:
Il hope il goes beyond the ninth.
then We will get more for money.
1t was suggested To the President that
II lie remained IOf IDG InlSn OIL the COM
test lie would be late for the banquet
tonight fie replied that he could get
dinner most any old time" but seldom
could see better game of ball.
Appears on the Diamond.
The President made his debut on the
diamond at the Allegheny Country Club.
where, following luncheon at the home
of H. r Rca. lie held reception and
mingled with the Yale men. who were
the guests of the club for the afternoon.
Two teams OF resident and visiting Yale
alumni were matched in a ball game and
the President pitched the first two baiis
for ,he visitors. In the parlance of the
game. ne had little or no speed and utter
lack of control, but was taken out OF
the box before much damage was done.
AS matter Of fact, the two balls which
the President threw at the batsnlan hit
the home base and reached the catcher
on the first bounce.
First bounce used to be out, the
President protested, but he was uncere-
moniously relegated to the side lines.
The day of the President visit was
one Of blue skies and brilliant sun. The
afternoon grew intensely warm. and the
President before going to the country.
changed from the formal dress of the
morning to a sack suit and straw hat.
Secretary knox's wardrobe was not
convenient, and he wore his top silk hat
until he reached the Country Cub, where.
under the preteXt OF having ms picture
taken with the President with the same
sort of headgear worn by Mr.. Taft hs
borrowed panama from a friend and
positively refused to return il until the
day was done.
Arrives Before 8 AM.
President Taft arrived shortly before
o'clock this morning. and from that hour
until midnight tonight he hardly knew
moments rest 1T was day to test the
strenucsiiy even of Mr.. Roosevelt. and
throughout ii all the President seemed 10
enjoy himself intensely.
From the Eas. Liberty station. where
he left the train from Washington. the
President was taken in an automobile IL
the home of his brother-in-lau. Thomas
X Laughin jr. He greeted Mrs rafis
sister affectionately. The President will
be guest at the Laughlin home ~
Woodlawn road until late tomorrow night.
when he leaves for Gettysburg 10 denver
the Memorial day oration.
The Presidents first public appearaLGe
was AT the Rodeph Shalom Jewish labti-
nacle where he spoke briefly. Next tiif't
WAS A uu:ck automobile trip Ia Arsenal
Park and another short address
Among the Yale Men.
Following this came the meeting ~ the
Vale Clubs where the President paid
tr;b,, g Ia Vale and 20 the Vale spirit
President Taft was greeted with cheers