Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-21
TAFT GUEST Of Ak-SAR-BENS
HAS JOLLY EVENING WITH
OMAHA BOOSTERS"
Laughs Heartily at Operate Bur
lesque Produced by Business
Men as Actors.

OMAHA, September 21-President Taft
arrived in Omaha at 4:25 pm. and was
entertained last night by the Ak-Sar-Ben
NEBRASKA" spelled backward. This is
the official boosting body of Omaha. Its
organization principle is secrecy. and its
purpose is publicity for the city. 1t is
the moving force in the fall festivities,
which partake of the nature of the Mardi
Gras. The Ak-Sar-Ben entertainment
Of distinguished visitors leaves nothing to
be desired in the way of hospitality. but
1t runs to the eccentric or at least the
unusual.
There is a street car strike on here. and
by special request of the President.
through his private secretary In Washing
ton, no effort was made to run cars dur
ing the time the President and party were
in the city.
ienberger at Lincoln was received here
by the President: On behalf of the peo-
pie of Nebraska I extend to you hearty
welcome to our state. Wish you safe
and pleasant journey on your trip"
Immediately on his arrival the Presi-
dent was taken on an hours automobile
tour OF Omaha, the city following the ex-
ample set by Chicago by lining the streets
with school children. Afterward he was
the guest Of the Omaha Club at dinner,
Ak-Sar-Bens.
New Members Initiated.
The President was placed in box.
adjoining a stage set deliberately, but, as
1t later developed, meant for business.
This was the annual meeting of the Or
ganization. at which new members are in
1tiated. 1t is part of the initiation to
lead the victim to the belief that the ini-
tiation Is not to come off on the particular
night on which 1t does occur
The candidates for membership, with
their admiring friends ana members of the
Presidents party, occupied boxes adjoin-
ing the stage.
When the curtain rose the customary
vhaee or comic opera was shown, with
the customary villagers. In all the COM
pany was seventy strong. and was COM
posed entirely of business men of Omaha
even those who wore skirts. The plot of
the play was this: village swain was to
wed the village belle. Just as the parson
was about to say the binding words a
pirate ship hove in sight. Great excite
ment. The pirates seized the bride, but
were induced to release her and accept
instead the candidates in the boxes. Then
the real fun began-for the players and
spectators. The candidates were initiated
with rites honored through long usage, but
to the accompaniment of topical songs
and all the constituents of comic opera.
President Laughed Heartily.
The two acts were greatly enjoyed by
the President. He had not had an oppor-
tunity to get out of political atmosphere.
even In the Sunday at Minneapolis. and
"Paprika Schnitzel'-what last nights
burlesque of an opera was called-was
such a relief that he laughed heartily. He
didn't entirely escape politics, however.
because some Of the jokes and songs had
politics for subjects. But it was ''all in
fun and the President refused to take
any Of the satire seriously.
Senator e. J. Burkett Joined the Presi-
dent at Des Moines to act as his guide,
philosopher and friend through Nebraska
The Presidents train left Omaha at
HIP pm and will run to Denver without
stop for speeches, arriving In Denver at
pm. today.