New-York tribune., 1909-04-18
PROMENADE A SUCCESS
Cro7cd ATTENDS Outdoor Function
1rrqnged by Mrs. Taft.
TFrcm The Tribune Bureau.

WASHINGTON, April 17.--With the President ana
Mrs Taft in an electric landauet leading, several
hundred pretentious equpages and swarrns OF pret-
tiIy dressed women and their escorts stroins over
the parking, Mrs. Taft's initial promenade con-
cert on Riverside Drive pronounced ana uh-
doubted In the centre of the eliplse' 'he
Philippine Constabulary Band gave programme
which lasted for about two hours in the course OF
which time almost every notable parsonage IN
Washington was
The President and Mrs. Taft showed their appre-
citation of the hearty spirit with which the pubic
entered into their plan, by bowling and smiling rlght
and left and from time to time talking with their
friends. AS the Nice-Presdent ana MIS-
sherman could leave the reception they were holo-
ing at the New Willard in honor OF Mrs. "lilam
Story New York State Regent of the Daughters OF
the American Revolution they Joined the throng
In addition to the gay parties in carriages ana
automobiles many equestrans lined the orloie pa0h
about the elipse notable figures among them oelns
Baroness Moncheur, wife of the Belgian Minister :
Miss Grace Bell Miss sally Darlington and Count
de Chambrun. In compliment 10 Mrs Taft whose
thoughtfuness suggested the institution OF the con-
certs all Of the Cabinet members now In the city
were present Others who added interest to the
scene were the French Ambassador and Nine JUS
serand Nine. NabuCo and Nine Portea, who drove
together the Belgian Minister and Baroness Mar
suerite Moncheur, the Netherlands Minister ana
Nine London Countess Motke, Mrs Richard II.
Townsend Miss Mathilde Townsend. Mrs Nicholas
Iongworth IN an electric runabout with Miss Hsg-
ner: Rrgadier General and Mrs. Clarence Edwards,
Mr. and Mrs. Preston Gibson. with Mr. and Mrs
Reginald Vanderbilt Of New York; Mrs. Depew,
and many others. running into the thousands
The scene was made more charming about the
narl, b,, the first touches spring which showed
in the budding while the Potomac irldesceht
with the rays of the setting sun. made charming
background for the assemblaSe- Across the river
tho Virginia hills and the Arlington mansion once
the bonns OF Robert r Lee. added attraction 70
the setting of the scene The musical programme
chosen proved pleasing
y,-ban he returned to the White House the Presi-
dent officially designated the driveway as Potomac
| Drive announcement OF the fact being made to-
,fgl,t nv, Colonel Spencer Cosby. Superintendent OF
Public Buildings and Grounds
L was announced to-day that cable dispatch
had b.en received from the Mayor of Toxic. Japan
Offering as a gift one thousand Towering Japanese
cherry trees he planted along the ne" d'l'e'
7,ha president and Mrs. Taft were much pleased,
al Lo,.o accented the offer with thanks. About
one hundred of these beautiful little trees are
astiabIa IN washington at this time, and will be
| tn concert marks in the sayety OF
| Washington social lie and promises an admin
! ,stratfon under the leadership OF PRESIDENT ana
Mrs Taft brilliant In every detali. MIS- i"'' ."S
tn+roduced a number of innovations since becoming
t. g, 1ad, og the land and has become popular
.,,r ,fzcia Ire in the national capital her CLOCK
teas and receptions have proved most successful
a,d bar latest idea the oIen air concerts every
wednesday and Saturday afternoon promises TO
arouse great interest among social folk.
Nc Taft first conhded her idea Of the Potomac
concerts to Major Cosby, superintendent OF puD'c
| b,udings and grounds, who made the plans and
- . btgbI,, artistic bandstand erected in the
o,,,bsrn end Of the Speedway, now Riverslde
rriyo not far from the new concrete bridge whch
spans the passage between the udal ''oii "I'
| the Potomac