The Detroit times., 1909-03-20
OLD Ellis men HAIL
TAFT AS PRESIDENT
FOR EIGHT YEARS
"lF | DO ALL THAT ! OUGHT TO
IN FOUR YEARS NEXT PERIOD
CAN CARE FOR ITSELF" RE-
PLIES TAFT.

NEW YORK, March 20.-President
Taft was greeted by more than 1890
graduates OF Yale university at a
dinner given In the Waldorf-Astoria
last night. There was a deafening
cheer and rousing chorus of Here
TO good old Yale, drink her down,
as the first Yale president OF the Unit
ed States rose To speak. The grad
yates who attended the banquet came
from all parts OF the country. They
ranged from silvery-haired old gentle
men WHOSE degrees hear the date OF
SO down to the youths who left their
alma mater only last June.
The immense ballroom In the Wal
dorf-A Astoria was decorated with Law
ish wealth OF flowers. Countless chains
of pink rose blooms fell from the
vaulted ceilings in graceful loops. The
balcony guards and the sidewalks
were twined with the roses. The
speakers table at which President
Taft sat with President Hadley. OF
Yale, and other distinguished grad
yates Of the university, was canopied
with artificial representations of the
elms OF old Yale.
President Taft reached the banquet
hall Just before o'clock. Just be-
fore the president spoke the lights
In the ballroom were dimmed, and
a screened calcium sent e food OF
blue rays upon the speakers table
Through the windows Of the "old
brick row" lights cleaned. Then be
gan a yell OF "Oh, Fresh. put out that
light" 1t was caught up all over the
room. and finally died out amid loud
peals OF laughter.
Euloglzes Yale.
1t was nearly IL o'clock when Mr..
Taft, began to speak, and, as he was
leaving on the midnight train for
Washington. his remarks necessarily
were brief He confined himself al.
most entirely TO an eulogy OF Yale and
OF the Yale spirit, which he declared
had been a guiding influence In his life
since the time he was six years old.
Mr.. Taft spoke largely In reminis-
cences OF his own days at college, and
those of his father. Not content with
graduating Ave of his own sons at
Yale. the president declared. his faith
er had sent the boy OF dead friend
through the college.
This is a personal gathering" he
explained, 'and you must expect some
personal references"
Mr.. Taft said he was carrying the
Yale spirit with him to the discharge
of the duties OF president. which Of
fee, he declared, was the greatest re-
sponsibility which could come TO an
American.
And" he added. 1T Is great deal
better to leave that office with the
plaudits OF YOUR countrymen than 10
enter it. The opportunities for mis-
takes. the opportunities for failure, or,
IL not failure, OF dead level OF doing
nothing, are so many that / look for
ward with a great hesitation and re.
luctance to the results OF the next
four years"
Eight" called voice, and others
took up the chorus.
IF do all that ought to do in the
next four years, rejoined the presi-
dent. II will have done all that Is IN
the contract, and the next four years
can take care OF themselves"
Eight, eight" cried the alumni
again, in a swelling chorus.
There are great problems to solve"
said the president, "but l will take to
them the application of honesty Of pur-
pose, Industry and common sense.
That is what ( understand we learned
at Yale. and II In bringing those things
to bear solve all the problems OF the
next four years satisfactorily, I'll be
willing { meet you again at the emil
Of that time and to compare notes"
Lond Demonstration.
When President Taft was introduced
by Toastmaster Sheffield. president of
the Yale club in this city, the demon
stration was a prolonged one, filled
with college cheers and songs. In