New-York tribune., 1909-03-23
READY TO SAIL TO-DAY
Mr.. ROOSEVELT INSPECTS
THE HAMBURG.
Says GoOdby to Old Nurse and
Makes Final Preparations for
the african Trip.

Theodore Roosevelt came to New York yes
terday from his Oyster Bay home to attend to
the last details preparat tory to his departure to-
day on the steamship Hamburg. on the first
rart Of his trip TO Africa. The ex- President
snent a busy seven hours into which were
crowded a number of farewell visits in Manhat-
tan and visit Of inspection the Hamburg
living in Hoboken-
After a critical inspection of the quarters
that he and his Kermit will occupy on the
way over, Mr.. Roosevelt expressed himself as
delighted with the plans made for his comfort
Emil Boas. resident director and general man.
ager of the Hamburg-American Line and the
passenger manager of the line met the ex-Presi-
dent at Pier No. 1. in Hoboken. and introduced
him 10 Captain Edward Burmeister of the
steamship Hamburg.
Delighted to meet you. Mr. Roosevelt
the German captains democratic salutation, and
il pleased Nr. Roosevelt who replied:
MY good captain, I am very glad TO be under
your care'
The party then went aboard the Hamburg
and went TO the Emperor William suite, which
the distinguished traveller is to occupy on the
voyage. The suite consists of four rooms the
starboard side Of the promenade deck.
SAYS GOODBY To NURSE.
Mr. Roosevelt arrived in Manhattan from
oyster Bay about 9 o'clock, accompanied by
Miss Ethel Roosevelt and Kermit Roosevelt, who
left him at the Long Island ferry, when he
rode away with his brother-in-l and sister.
Mr and Mrs Douglas Robinson in their auto
mobile. The first visit of the x-President was
10 No 334 East 32d street, to say goodby to
Mrs Mary Ledwith, the nurse who cared for
all Of Mir. Roosevelt's children Mrs. Ledwith.
who is seventy-siX years old, lives with her
sister Katherine DAILY, in a small fat the
second floor
saying goodby-
DO be careful" pleaded the good old woman.
.You know there are lions and other dangerous
animals in Africa Now, don't forget to take
good care Of yourself added Mrs. Ledwith like
mother talking to her son.
Mr.. Roosevelt laughingly promised 10 take
care Of himself and not expose himself TO need
less dangers. The two spent about a quarter
Of an hour together in an exchange Of pleas
antries.
The ex-President. still accompanied by Mr..
and Mrs. Robinson. drove 10 the office of The
outlook" at Fourth avenue and 22d street.
After short stay in his editorial offices he
proceeded TO Hoboken by way of the 23d street
ferry.
VISIT TO THE HAMBURG.
Plumbers. carpenters and decorators from
Stern Brothers had been at work O. board the
been almost entirely transformed. Before Mr.
Roosevelt left the vessel everything had been
completed except a few finishing touches. The
walls OF the two bedrooms, dressing room and
parior had been covered with armor and jute
tapestry in blue and green patterns, the floor
had bean carpeted with new soft carpeting TO
harnonize with the wall decoration. ard the
windows we're covered with silk curtains with
the same color effect.
After seeing that all arrangements for the
housing OF himself and guests were complete
he went to the freight department and looked
oye- the stock Of ammunition and other sup
plies on the pier. The ammunition consisted
Of some forty or fifty packages, and the other
supplies equalled that in number MI Roose-
welt also made d cursory inspection Of the pack
ages from the Smithsonian Institution IN
Washington These numbered a few over two
hundred, and varied in size from an ordinary
soapbox 70 q package six feet square by four
feet deep. The Roosevelt packages were Ia
beIled Theodore Roosevelt. Mombasa, B. E
Africa" the others being labelled for the Smith
sonian Institute at the same address.
Mr Roosevelt also visited the gymnasium
tested several Of the bars and other apparatus
and pronounced them in bully" order. de
spent about an hour on the Hamburg.
Returning TO Manhattan. Mir. Roosevelt went
10 the home OF Mt. and Mrs. Robinson, at No
422 Madison avenue, where he met his other
sister the wife OF Rear Admiral Cowles. Col
onel Roosevelt had luncheon at the Robinson
home. He returned TO Oyster Bay on the Az
O'Clock train.
The Hamburg is scheduled TO sail at II o'clock
this morning Mr. Roosevelt probably will
rive at the steamer about hour before sailing
time.