The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30
President Roots Hard for Pitts-
 burg But Chicago Wins
CROWD lPPLAUDS WITH HIM
Taft Has Busy Day of Fifteen Hours In the Smoky City But Appears to Enoy Himself Most at
 Ball Game.

Ball Game.
 Pittsburg, May 29.-Away from the cares of state at Washington, away from the tariff and the task of filling federal of fees, President Taft thoroughly enjoyed himself today through 15 hours of play and excitement. He made four speeches at as many places, rode many miles by automobile and special trains, pitched q game of ball at the Allegheny Country club in the early afternoon and then, re- turning to town sat through the II in- nings of the contest between the Pitts burg and Chicago teams of the National league. President Taft assisted at the dedication of fountain in Arsenal park, attended a business meeting of the As soclated Western Yale clubs, had lunch con at Sewickly Heights, IA miles out of the city, and tonight was the principal speaker at the brilliant banquet which brought to a close the annual session of the Western Yale clubs.
 Pittsburg's welcome to the President was a continuous ovation. Wherever he went llt was lllGl OS CIOHdS Ol CIetTluB lIOu- sands.
 Streets Blocked.
 The streets through which he passed were fairly blocked with humanity. After the ball game, while the Presidents auto mobile was threading its way through Sixth street, there was at one time a seemingly impossible human barrier across the tnoroughfare. The police final ly opened a way, however. The Presl- dent, during the early part of the day was the guest of the city and state. Later he was turned over to the Yale men. He left the sons of old Eli at play at the Country club while he journeyed back to the city to witness the professional game of baseball. The ball game was a departure from the original programme, which caused some disappointment to the Yale men, but which apparently brought joy to the 15.00O Pittsburg fans" gath cred on grandstand and bleachers and overfiowing into the playground.
 On either side of the President were Secretary of State Knox, a staunch sup porter of the Pittsburg team, and Charles P. Taft, principal owner of the Chicago Cubs.
 Torn By Emotions.
 Consequently, the President was torn by conflicting emotions. He wanted both teams to win and was happiest when the score was a tie, which it was from the seventh to the eleventh innings, when q whole flock of "ursnes' crossed the plate and broke up an exciting game by Q score of to 8.
 President Hadley of Yale also sat with the President Capt. Archibald Butt, mill ltary aide to the President was in the party and nearby to explain fine points of the game in minutest detail was Pres ident Charles Murphy of the Chicago club.
 Secretary Knox and the Presidents brother had great fun in wagering as to the outcome of the contest and ap- pealed in turn for the Presidents sup port.
 No, sir" replied the President ''I in- sst on maintaining a judicial attitude in this matter"
 In Pittsburgs S half of the lucky seventh the President set the crowd to cheering by standing for luck with the rest of the great crowd. All through the game there were calls for cheers for the President and they were given in great sweeping waves of sound which echoed back from the high hills overlooking tho park.
 Pittsburg Encouraged.
 The Presidents assistance to the Pitts burg rooters in the seventh undoubtedly resulted in the local team tieing the score With the score still eied at the end of the eighth the President exclaimed: eI hope it goes beyond the ninth, then we will get more for our money"
 It was suggested to the President that if he remained for the finish of the contest he would be late for the ban quet tonight. He replied that he could get a dinner most any old time, but seldom could see a better game of base ball"
 The President made his debut on the diamond at the Allegheny Country club. where, following luncheon at the resi- dence of H. R. Rea. he held a recep- tion and mingled with the Yale men, who were the guests of the club for the afternoon Two teams of resident and visiting Y ale alumni were matched in ball game and the President pitched the first two balls for the visitors In the parance of the game, he had little or no speed and utter lack of control but was taken out of the box before much damage was done. As a matter of fact the two balls which the President threw at the batsman 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 line.
 The President will be a guest at the Laughlin home in Woodlawn road until late tomorrow night when he leaves for Gettysburg to deliver the Memorial day oration