New-York tribune., 1909-03-31
In HONOR OF DR., ELIOT
SENATOR ROOT SUGGESTS
AnBASS4DORSHIP.
President Taft Joins in Praise of the
President of HmUard at
Washington Dinner.


ing tonight at dinner rendered by the Har-
ward Club TO President Charles W Eliot of Har-
ward University, made a statement which his
hearers regarded as implying that DR.. Eliot
might be appointed Ambassador TO Great Brit
ain. Senator Root had indicated the probability
of the selection of DR.. Eliot earlier in the even
ing. and President Taft joined in all that Sen
ator Root had said in praise of Harvard's presi-
dent.
DR. Eliot the first speaker of the evening
and was Immediately followed by Senator Root
who after relating several anecdotes on Mr.
Taft paid a forceful and eloquent tribute TO
the retiring Harvard president He fairly swept
his audience off its feet when, in concluding. he
declared:
SHOULD it so befaH Dr. Eliot to be accredited
as the American Ambassador to one of the great
courts of Europe. before whatever monarch he
shall stand there shall know our great Re
public in all the good qualities of truth and
sincerity of nature. in all its pious ideals
aspirations. is represented by a man. Ameri
can gentleman, scholar. sage indeed"
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH
President Taft was last to speak. 1t was
nearly midnight when he arose and he declared
he would not give Senator Root another oppor-
tunity TO joke about his having kept a dinner
Comranv until + o'clock in the morning. The
of DR.. Eliot and the ideals of education and the
fostering of the university spirit for which he
has stood He referred to the Harvard presi-
dent as the head of the educational movement
Of the past forty years. In concluding President
Taft caused another great Outburst Of cheering
by declaring that he indorsed all that Senator
Root had said in his tribute to DIR. Eliot.
And especially do 1 share" said the Presi-
dent every word that Senator Root has said
as to what may happen to DR.. Eliot in the fut-
ure,"
1T is a great pleasure to be with YOU" be
gan President Taft after his health had been
pledged, "and especially TO claim the right to
be here as Harvard alumnus.' (The President
received doctors degree in law from Harvard
three years ago. 1T is a sorrow. on the other
hand" he added, lin view of all the beautiful
things that have been said that shall not be
able to contribute greatly TO your pleasure
What with various opinions on the tariff, with
considering a few vacancies that there are IN
the public service and the other duties that are
imposed on the chief magistrate. 1 have had no
time to prepare as 1 should have liked for this
august occasion-no time to prepare to say what
1 should like 10 say of my feelings for Harvard
University and for the man who has led Har-
ward and who has led the educational interests
of America during the last forty years
collection of groups. and modestly has ascribed
the success of Harvard TO the work Of those
groups. Rather do I think the success Of the
university is due to the man who has been in
all of those groups has welded them together,
has carried the influence Of one 20 the other
and has brought about harmonious work for
the common good"
Presidest Taft spoke at length of the various
attributes of character and ability that helped
to make Dr. Eliot's administration the success
il has been and which set high standard for
university presidents Of the future
I'm small personal way" declared President
Taft. II look upon him with envy. He is TAX
ing off the armoE. while some of US are finding
it difficult to get it on. How he has been able
to maintain the health strength and physique
of a boating man. which he was in his college
davs. and without being exposed to the at
mosphere of the Supreme Court To have lived
10 his time of life 1 do not understand
"AII that Senator Root has said of President
Eliot | heartily indorse. II was one of the most
discriminating speeches l have ever heard the
Senator from New York make DR.. Eliot is the
dean of the teaching profession. and he has
made that profession, already great and infu-
entail. the leading profession in the country
He has brought the university into such rela-
ton to public life that we cannot fail to owe To
him a great debt or grdJItuue Tor having ele-
waited public life in the way the university
spirit represented by him, has elevated it
Senator Roots expression of esteem for Dr
Eliot especially with reference TO am appoint
ment abroad included the statement that with
him abroad the peoples of the world will know
our tru- character.
DIR ELOT's ADDRESS
DR. Eliot in his address had declared that he
did not like to have he work done at Harvard
during the last forty years described as his
vor,." He said it was the result OF the work
of groups True. he said me had been I'm each
ono OF these groups and had tried 20 carry the
l,.ntinr.I ....,rd