The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-04
LITTLE TAFT INCIDENTS
By BURR BLACKBURN.

Birmingham people did not go wild over
Taft as they did four years ago when
Roosevelt visited the city. but in the
demeanor of both guest and hosts there
was so much of deep respect and fellow
ship that the difference seemed appro-
pirate and pleasing
The President came to Birmingham to
further cement the ties between north
and south, and there is no question but
that he almost closed the gap The re-
suit of his visit could be no better IL
Illustrated than by an incident which &C.
Cured in front of the Southern club.
The escort of IS Union veterans and
16 Confederate veterans was drawn up
between the steps and the Presidents
car, facing each other A Confederate
veteran said: EVERY Confederate will
step forward and shake the hand of his
enemy" and they all grasped hands. A
III ion veteran said: Every Union man
will step forward and shake the hand
of his friend which they did with
zest. Then Capt. John G. Smith said:
Both Confederate and Union men will
step forward and grasp the hand of an
American Citizen" This they did with
shout and a moment later the big
body of the President protruded between
the lines and filled up all the space
as he shook hands right and left They
lad already joined fellowship In honor
ing the one government which he rep
resents.
The feature of the whole entertainment
most widely commented upon, discussed
and laughed about was the request of
Governor Conner for the post of ambassa-
dor to China. When the suggestion was
made it met with the instant approval
of the crowd at the banquet The gov
ernor did not mean that it should be taken
seriously, but the joke was. amplifed by
all the speakers, Judge Dickinson sug-
costing that he be sent foreigner as
possible, and the President wondering if
Alabama needed purgatory for it's ex-
governors.
The negro who stood behind the Presi-
dents chair at the banquet was an in
teresting study. He tried to appear very
formal. but he could not manage to keep
his face straight more than a moment at
"a time, 30 delighted was he with the
honor.
The President ate heartily while here.
He especially relished that so-called
SQUAD which grows wild Some photog-
rapher has lost an opportunity in pic
ture of the President just as he takes a
nouthful of food. That is one time when
the smile is not there. and he colsely re-
sembles Little Tom Thumb who pulled
out a plum
The little girls of the district did not
get to march in the parade. but on two
occasions paid their tribute. At the Mar
garet Allen school the Presidents car
stopped long enough for tile girls to sing
and Miss Edith Thompson presented him
with a beautiful bouquet of roses. At the
Paul Hayne school Miss Irene Barnett
presented flowers for her school, and the
chief executive seemed more than de-
lighted with both.
There Is but one joke on the arrange
ments committee They happened to
spy a negro. dressed In white, the
porter OF the Presidents car Mayfiower
just as the train pulled out. THAT"
said one Of them, lis Arthur Brooks,
whose name appeared on the list of
guests, and we discovered who he was
just In time to keep his name off the
programmes. lnehu cards and other
prominent places. lie had a seat re-
served for him at the banquet, and a
both the other meals. In fact, we were
making special arrangements to give
Mr.. Arthur Brooks a good time"
At the Southern club luncheon Gov
ernor Conner leaned across and asked
sidney j. Bowie, why do YOU insist
upon criticisins my administration p
Mr.. Bowie replied that he hadn't men
toned Governor Corners administration
but had been engaged In discussing the
amendment.
The presidential party Is really out
upon "taffy" trip and 1t must by THIS
time have become second nature to the