The San Francisco call., 1909-06-01
TAFT OPPOSED TO
ARMY REDUCTION
President Places Himself on
Record in Address at Gettys-
burg Monument Services
Statue of Abraham Lincoln Un-
veiIed at Hodgenyille, KY,
With Simple Ceremony

GETTYSBURG, Pa, May S1.-This was
the day of tardy honor TO the regular
at Gettysburg An imposing shaft of
granite erected by congress TO the
memory of those of the regular army
who fell in the three days battle was
unveiled by the presidents daughter,
Miss Helen H. Taft, while the presi-
dent paid tribute to officers and men
of the United States army past and
present.
OPPOSED TO REDUCTION
The president put himself sauarely
On record as opposed to any reduction
in the standing army. He told of the
prejudice that often has arisen against
the possible aggressions of regular
army and a professional soldiery. and
of the corresponding difficulty In
arousihg that love and pride of the
army which expresses itself today, and
has frequently expressed itself in the
past in behalf ofsthe navy. The presi-
dent asserted that the services of the
regular army have never been COM
tmemorated adequately by congress or
the nation.
ARMY WITHOUT STAIN
TThe profession of arms always has
been an honorable one" he declared.
"All honor TO the regular army of the
United States Never in its history has
ii had stain upon its escutcheon."
On the way to Gettysburg from Pitts
burg the presidents car was side
tracked at York for two hours and
during his stay he made brief ad-
dress, in which he declared again his
hope for the early enactment of a
tariff law, IF the Lord will only be
good and send some real hot weather
in June
Four regiments of the regular army
were here to participate in the ex-
ercises. There also was a personal
escort to the president composed of
veterans of the regular army who
fought in the Gettysburg campaign.
REVIEWS THE TROOPS
Following the unveiling the president
reviewed the troops. In the martial
column were the Fifth infantry from
Plattsburg, n. Y; the Fifteenth cav
airy and the Third field artillery from
Fort Myer, Virginia, and a provisional
regiment of the coast artillery. gath
cred from different posts and march
ing as infantry.
A mounted battery of artillery which
recently served in Cuba was a source
of much interest.
When the review was concluded the
president hurried to his train. He was
escorted by troop of cavalry, which
had to go al q full gailop to keep up
with the presidential party. The presi-
dent left at 3;45 p. m. for Washington
Statue of Lincoln
HoDG Ky, May. SIN
this quaint little town a statue of
Abraham Lincoln was unveiled today
The ceremonies were simple Mrs. Ben
Hardin Helm of Louisville a close
relative of Mrs Lincoln, pulled the
cord that dropped the drapery and
showed the martyred president sitting
in chair, his face bearing the old
careworn, kindly expression familiar
to the people of the entire world
Illness of Robert T. Lincoln
LOUISVILLE. KY, May s1.-Robert
T. Lincoln. son of President Lincoln
was slightly affected by the heat today
toward the close of the ceremonies at
tending the unveiling of his fathers
statue at Hodgenville. He recovered
after resting several hours.
Exercises at Washington
WASHINGTON, May 31.-Memorial
day was generally observed here to-
day. The principal exercises were at
Arlington under the auspices of the
q. A. r. Every grave was marked
with an American flag, while flowers
were strewn about everywhere.
New York Observance
NEW YORK. May s1.-Through the
throngs of spectators lining the con-
course In Riverside drive the veterans
of the G.. A. r. marched in their an
nual Memorial day parade to the SOL
diefs' and sailors monument, passing
in review before Mayor Mcclellan and
at the Grant monument holding their
memorial exercises and listening to
an address by General George b. Loud.
HonoIuIu's Tribute