The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-16
TAFT IS OFF
 TO FAR WEST Begins His 13,OO0 Miles Journey. GREETINGS IN NEW YORK Sherman Remembers Birthday of
 President. Vice President Gets on Fast Train at Utica With Big Box of
 Candy and Jumps
 on Quickly.

syracuse, N. f., Sept lb-After tra- versing today the two great States of President Taft tonight is skirt ing the southern shores of Lake Erie., on his way to Chicago. where he will arrive at 11:30 a. m.. to- day, to make his first important stop on a 13.000 mile tour of the West and South. The Presidential train passed through here at 7:35 p. In.
 Wherever the train stopped today on its run from Boston, there were large crowds at the railway stations ana the President was greeted with enthn- siastic cheering.
 The day was typical of many that are to come. and the President was pre- vailed upon to make a number of hve minute speeches from the rear plat form of his car at points not included in the itinerary.
 In Massachusetts. Mir. Taft spoke at worcsster. Springfield and Pittsfield. Entering New York State, he was was greeted at Albany by Governor Charles E. Hughes. and both made little talks to the depot throng. which cheered the State and Federal executives with equal enthusiasm. Governor Hughes became the Presidents guest on the run from Albany to Syracuse. and had dinner with him on the car Mayfower.
 President Taft was in rare good hu- nor today. He seemed thoroughly happy that the journey toward which he had been looking for several months had at last begun. He thanked those who came to greet him in the different cities and said he believed that the long and arduous trip would bring him into closer touch with the people than any other plan which could be de- vised. Mir: Taft said that the more A h d people during his term of office, the better progress he would make. In behalf of the people of the State of New York, Governor Hughes bade the President God-speed and a safe return to his duties at Washington.
 Taft and Hughes.
 MT. Taft and Governor Hughes arc pronounced admirers of each other and their meetings are always character ized by many exchanges of graceful and earnest compliments. Today President Taft told. of the splendid work Governor Hughes had done Tor him, and the Governor replied that the President could never call upon him Tn vain.
 Starting from Boston a little after 10 o'clock this morning. the President headed straight for the West. It was his Sand birthday, and he received many congratulations and messages of
 Al Pittsfeld, some enthusiastic ud- mirers fairly filled the Presidents car with flowers. The throng which lined the way from the hotel to the station in Boston was but a fore-runner of those encountered along the way. Even at places where the Presidents train did not stop, there were many to wave him a greeting.
 As guests out of Boston, the Presi- dent had with him his elderly aunt. Miss Della Torrey: Senator W. Murray Crane, of Massachusetts. and William Nelson Cromwell. of New York. Miss Torrey, of whom the President is very fond went as far as Worcester, leaving the train there. to go to her home at MilIbury, where many of MT. Taft's an- cestora lived. Senator Crane went as far as Pittsfield and Mfr. Cromwell rU Albany.
 The President set precedent today for the entire trip by electing to run On a slow schedule The New York Gen. tral lines surrounded the train with every precaution for its safety. There always were three men on the engine and prominent representatives of the trafic department were aboard from the start.
 Vice President Sherman made a vain effort to see the President at Utica, MT Sherman's home city. It was not known that the Vice President was at home or would be at the station. The train stopped about thirty seconds for orders. MT. sherman clambered aboard the rear-end and was making his way toward the Presidents room when the conductor. not knowing the Vice Pres ident was aboard. gave the signal to 20 ahead. MT. Sherman shouted to one of the attaches that he was not able to go on to Syracuse and hopped off. He left behind. however. fivs- pound box of candy as a birthday pres> ent,