Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-13
MARVELS AT BEAUTY
OF THE CROWN CITY
PRESIDENT GIVEN LIGHTNING
GLANCE AT PASADENA
Visits Golf Links and Sunken Gardens
and Is Guest at Banquet at
Hotel Maryland - Bids
Sister Goodby
Especial to The Herald.l

PASADENA, Oct 12.-President Will
liam Howard Taft saw more in the
short time he was in Pasadena than
any other man who ever has visited the
city. He reached the Annandale Coun-
try club forty-five minutes behind his
schedule time and was there presented
with what William f. Knight, the pres
ident of the club, was pleased to term
"one of our guaranteed 200-yard driV-
ers" 1t was a golf club, one of the
standard stock made by the clubs pro-
fessional, and contained a mounting OF
solid gold, a knob at It's tip almost the
size of a golf ball. The president
showed his appreciation of the gift,
stating that he would cherish the me-
mento, and smiled when Mr.. Knight In
structed him not to press" when he
used 1t, a technical term for the over
anxiety on the part of player to make
a showing.
Leaving the Annandale Country club
with Mayor Thomas Farley of Pasa-
dena sitting at his side, the automobile
sped on its way to the Crown City,
where the committee of Pasadena citi-
zens was waiting in automobiles to act
as an escort.
Visit Sunken Gardens
The president was taken over the
beautiful residence section of the city,
through the famous sunken gardens OF
Adolphus Busch, and along the avenues
and streets lined with thousands of
men, women and children. Along Colo
RADIO street near the Hotel Maryland
were assembled the school children OF
the city, the veterans of two wars and
thousands of women in white dresses
1t was an ideal day, and the decora-
tions along this portion of the drive
were especially beautiful. Baskets OF
flowers and greens were strung from
the electric light wires and formed
arches through which the presidential
party sped.
At the entrance to the Hotel Mary
land a mammoth crowd was assembled,
and the president was whisked around
to a side entrance and managed to es-
cape the terrible crush in front of the
hotel. once within the hotel, the pres
ident sought his sister, Mrs. w. A. Ed
wards of Los Angeles, who was acting
as one Of the receiving party
The great dining room of the hotel
was gorgeously decorated and filled
with more than 400 of Pasadena's lead
ing citizens The president arrived in
the dining room somewhat behind his
schedule time, but when he made his
appearance a great ovation was ac-
corded him. Cheer after cheer filled the
room, and the greatest enthusiasm was
manifested.
Gets Big Bouquet
During the luncheon the president
was the recipient of a graceful compli-
ment at the hands of Mrs. Edwin Hurd
Conger widow of the former minister
to China, who was an intimate friend
of President Taft's. Mrs. Conger sent
bouquet of choice roses, which were
placed before him at the table. He ex-
pressed his pleasure when he saw whom
they were from. The late Mr.. Conger
and Mr.. Taft frequently met in the Far
East, and in their official capacities
a. friendship grew up between them.
At the left of the president sat John
Willis Baer, who was the chairman of
the reception committee in charge of
the presidents entertainment in Pasa-
dena. Beside DR.. Baer sat Governor
Gillett, Ed Off and Bishop johnson. To
the right of the president sat Mayor
Thomas Farley of Pasadena, Senator
Frank P. Flint, Bishop Conaty and
Congressman James McLachlan.
John Willis Baer introduced the pres
ident in what he told the newspaper
men he hoped was the shortest speech
which the president would encounter
on his long journey over the country.
"Gentlemen, his excellency, the presi-
dent of the United States"
Makes Short Address
President Taft then arose and was
greeted with cheers which lasted for a
number of minutes. In voice clear
and penetrating he expressed his appre-
citation of the reception and visit in the
following words:
"Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen Of
Pasadena You may have observed In
the interesting remarks of the presid-
f,,e. Of3 1tyta 1fn ig al
ways moving out before the dessert
comes on.
"This delightful glimpse of the beau
ties of Pasadena will not quite lead me
to resign my office, but If 1 had to give
it up it would reconcile me to it.
''I feel in addressing this audience
that I speak to an audience having
more tendrils reaching out to the east
than possibly any other audience of
like size so far west. You have all
come out here rejoicing, and hope you
are delighted to see a man from the
east once in a while"
At this point some one called out:
woodward high school,"
Eyes" said the president, woodward
high school is a good place to have
graduated from, yet you undoubtedly
have a better high school here.
''I observe that you who have moved
here have made every provision for
your comfort, and that luxuries are not
lacking.
81 have shown how like to encour-
age one of them, the best golf links in
the country. 1 don't know whether you
have a different idea of heaven than
Tom Reed, who said that it is antici-
pated with the greatest of pleasure yet
is approached with reluctance; but af-
ter seeing your handsome houses and
bungalows and green swards, accom-
panied by the neighboring golf links,
find the surroundings closely associated
with my idea of heaven.
my neighbor, the chairman, is be-
coming nervous. He has contracted to
deliver me over at a certain time, just
as I have been delivered over like an
express parcel by local committees until
1 feel that have no Independent action
remaining. 1 find my sole resource in
accepting the situation and taking no
responsibility. I would not consent to
leave, however, until having tasted
plate of these magnificent Pasadena
Strawberries and without having eX-
pressed my full pleasure in being
among you. Good by"
After making the foregoing remarks
the president and his party left the
banquet room. President Taft immedi-
ately sought out his sister, who was
being entertained in the rose room OF
the hotel, and affectionately kissed her
good by, and left to catch the train
which was waiting for him at the Los
Robles station of the Santa Fe railroad. |
Mrs. w. A. Edwards, the presidents
sister, was delightfully."- entertained by
the wives of the members of the recep- |
tion committee upon her arrival at