Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-20
TAFT AT NEW YORK.

New York. March 19.-With songs of
the football field and boat race course,
with d deafening cheer and a rousng
oh orus Of Here's to good old Yale,
drink her down" President Taft was
greeted tonight as the first Yale Presi-
dent Of the United States by more
than 1900 graduates of the famous old
Now Haven University. The graduates
camc from all over the country. They
ranged from silvcry haired old gentle
men whose degrees bear the date of
IS down TO the youths who left their
alma mater only last June.
TIE dinner, one of the largest ever
given in New York, was served at the
Waldorf Astoria. The immense ball
room was decorated with Il lavish
wealth of flowers. From the vaulted
ceilings countless chains of pink rose
bloom fell in graceful loops. The bal
cony guards and the side walls were
tvinrd with the Toscs. The speakers
table, ut which President Taft sat with
President Hadlcv of Yale, and other
prominent graduates of the university
vas canopicd with artificial representa-
tons of the clms of old Yale. Back of
the table was a huge drop curtain.
bearing a painting of the old brick
row, which was a reality in President
Taft's student days but which is now
mostly memory, only the central por
tor, "tonnccticut hail. being preserV
cd. IN front Of the curtain and back
of the speakers table was replica Of
the OLD Yale fence. The representa-
ton OF the old barrier was complete
down to the last details. Many of the
initials. including the wv. II. t. OF
Mr.. Taft. and the "A. r. H. of Presi
dent HaGley We're faithfully repro
duced.
Tables for the diners extended from
the floor of the ball room to the bal
cony usually set aside for visitors and
tn the Astor gallery. An orchestra
played Yale songs throughout the even
ing ana the singing of the roIlickinG
college ditties was led by ii glee club
of 81 graduates seated at a center
table
President Taft was probably the nap
picst man at the dinner. which was
given entirely in his honor. He was
not hailed as the President, however,
but as "Bill"-the sautation which III
terrupted the cheering as he entered
The only set speeches of the evening
were made by President Hadlcy and
President TAFT. The former spoke first,
responding to the toast meath tn"
Elms," While the latter spoke extemp"-
raneously on the subject For God,
for Country and for Yale
Among the guests at the dinner were
Henry w AMI Horace ID. Taft, brothers
of the President.
While the dinner was being served,
many of the graduates. including a
number from his OWN class OF 10,
shook hands with President Taft and
slapped hin, on the back and renewed
the acquaintance of college days.
The dinner marked the close of what
will long live as u distinctive "1ai"
day" in the Presidents memory. He
visited New Haven during the day t"
attend IL meeting of the Yale corpora
ton of which he is member, was
cheer red by the student body and made
a happy little speech to the under
graduates gathered on the campus.
The precautions taken to guard the
President tonight exceed anything of
the kind ever seen in this city Large
squads OF policemen were thrown
about the hotel. Inside the corridors
fairly sHarmed with detectives, secret
service men and special watchmen.
President Taft reached the banquet
hall lust before s o'clock. The speak
ING began two hours later.
lust before the President spoke the
lights in the ball room We're dimmed
and q screened calcium sent "A flood of
blue rays upon the speakers table.
Through the windows of the "Old
Brick Row" lights cleaned. Then be
gan a veil of "Oh. fresh. put out that
light" 1t was caught UP all over tn"
room and finally died out amid loud
peals of laughter.
President Taft left Jersey city at
l,n