New-York tribune., 1909-09-16
MR.. TAFT SPEEDS WEST
BEGINNING JOURNEY OF
1900 MILES.
Passes Fifty-second Birthday on
Train Governor Hughes Accom-
panies Him to Syracuse.

Syracuse. Sept 15.-After traversing the states
of Massachusetts and New York to-day. Presi-
dent Taft o-night is skirting the southern shore
Of Lake Erie on his way to Chicago. where he
expects to arrive at 1:3O a. M tomorrow. to
make his first important stop on his thirteen
thousand mile journey through the West and
South. The Presidents train of three cars, with
two empty coaches ahead as buffers. passed
through here at 1:35 p. M the first section
OF one Of the regular Chicago expresses.
Wherever the train stopped to-day on its run
from Boston there were large crowds at the
railroad stations. and the President was greeted
with enthusiastic cheers The day was typical
of many that are TO come and the President
was persuaded to make a number of five minute
speeches from the rear platform of his at
points included I'm the itinerary. In Massa-
chusetts he spoke at Worcester, Springfield and
Pittsfeld.
Entering New York State. the President was
greeted at Albany by Governor Hughes. and
both made brief speeches TO the throng at the
station. which cheered the state and federal
executives with equal enthusiasm. Governor
Hughes was the Presidents guest on the run
from Albany to Syracuse and had dinner with
him the train.
President Taft was in rare good humor to-
day He seemed thoroughly happy that the
journey toward which he has been looking for
several months had at last begun. He thanked
those who came to greet him. and said he be
lieved that the long and arduous trip would
bring him into closer touch with tho people than
any other plan which could he devised. lie
said that the more he could of the country
and the people in his term Of Office the better
President he would make
In behalf Of the people Of the State Of New
York. Governor Hughes bade the President god
speed and wished him safe return TO hisduties
at Washington. President Taft and Governor
Hughes are great admirers of each other. and
their meetings always characterized by
changes of graceful and earnest compliments.
To-day President Taft told Of the splendid work
Governor Hughes had done for him. and the
Governor replied that the President could never
call on him in vain.
Starting from Boston a little after 10 o'clock
this morning the President headed straight for
the West 1t was his ffty-second birthday. and
he received many congratulations and messages
Of good will. At Pittsfeld some enthusiastic
admirers fairly filled his car with flowers The
tifrong which lined the way from the hotel to
the station in Boston forerunner Of those
encountered along the way Even at places
where the Presidents train did not stop there
were many to wave him a greeting
The President set a precedent to-day for the
entire trip by electing 10 run on a slow sched-
ule The New York Central lines surrounded
the train with every possible precaution for It's
safety There always were three men on the
engine and representatives OF the traffic depart
ment were aboard from the start.
Vice-President Sherman made vain effort
TO the President at Utica. Mr.. Shermau's
home city. II not known that the Vice
President at home or would be at the sta
tion. The train stopped about thirty seconds
for orders. Mr.. Sherman climbed the rear
platform. and making his way toward the
Presidents room. when the conductor, not
knowing that the Vice President was aboard
gave the signal 20 80 ahead Mr.. Sherman
shouted TO one OF the trainmen that he/ could
not go on to Syracuse. and jumped of. He left
behind. however. n FIVE pound box Of candy as q
birthday present
The arrival OF President Tan here was not
marked by any official demonstrate although
thousands of persons surrounded his special
train and listened 10 a brief address. Repre-
sentative NJ. l.. Driscoll boarded the train and
greeted the President.
Buffalo. Sept. 1J.-President Taft's train ar
rfv bere at I and Cd