The San Francisco call., 1909-05-30
TAFT PITCHES
BALL IN YALE
ALUMNI GAME
President Later Enjoys Good
Match Between Pittsburg
and Chicago Teams
Makes Address at Jewish Tenn
pie and Praises Hebrews
for High Patriotism


made four speeches today. rode many
miles by automobile and special train.
pitched in a game OF ball al the Ale
gheny country club and sat through
the II innings OF the contest between
the Pittsburg and Chicago teams OF
the National league.
The president assisted at the dediea-
ton OF a fountain in Arsenal park. at
tended business meeting Of the Asso-
ciated Western Yale Clubs. had lunch
con at Sewickly heights, Il miles out
of the city, and tonight was the prin-
cipaI speaker at the banquet that
brought TO a close the annual sessions
of the Western Yale Clubs.
The bail game was a departure from
the original program. which caused
some disa ppointment 10 the Yale men.
but which brought Joy 70 the $4,000
Pittsburg fans.
With the president were Secretary
Knox. a stanch supporter OF the Pitts
burg team. and Charles P. Taft. prin-
cipaI owner OF the Chicago team Con-
sequently the chief executive was torn
BY conflicting emotions. He wanted
both teams 10 win. and was happiest
when the score was a tie
TAFT REMAINS NEUTRAL
Secretary Knox and the presidents
brother had great fun in wagering
on the contest. and appealed in turn
for the presidents support.
"No. sir, replied the president. Il
~ -r
titude on this matter.
The presidents assistance 10 the
Pittsburg rooters in the seventh re-
suited in the local team tying the
score. With the score still tied at the
end OF the eighth, the president ex-
claimed:
4 hope it goes beyond the ninth;
then we viii get more for our money"
II was suggested 10 the president
that IL he remained for the finish. he
would be late for the banquet He
replied that he could get a dinner most
any old time" but seldom could see
a better game
The president made his debut on the
diamond at the Allegheny country club.
Two teams of resident and visiting
Yale alumni were matched in a ball
game. and the president pitched the
first two balls for the visitors He
but was taken out OF the box-before
much damage was done. The two balls
that the president threw hit the home
base and hit the catcher on the first
bounce.
SPEAKS IN JEWISH TEMPLE
Il never have claimed 10 conform
strictly TO religious services" said the
president at Temple Rodeph SheloTn.
where he made his first address OF the
day to Rabbi Levy's congregation. and
il has remained for Pittsburg 70 bring
me to church both on Saturday and
prospectively on sunday II is a great
privilege. 1 feel. 10 appear before this
Intelligent and patriotic audience at
the instance Of your leader, your rabbi
who was a close friend Of my prede-
cessor and who. I believe. has trans
ferred that friendship for the time TO
me-
Il do not feel altogether out OF place
in a Jewish tabernacle. for the church
I attended in Cincinnati during my boy
hood and early manhood was next door
10 the tabernacle of Rev. Dr. Wise.
and there was oftentimes change or
pulpits between the two churches.
GOVERNMENT OF ALL PEOPLE
Il am glad to be here on this beau
tiful morning. in this beautiful sdif7ce
10 show. II possible. BY my presence
how much ours is a government Of all
the people and how wise was the con-
stitutional provision that no religious
requirement or qualification should be
necessary in this country. In this Jew
ish tabernacle. as president OF the
United States, I feel as much al home
and feel as much support as I would
in any other church in the whole coun-
try. The prayer 10 which we have just
listened. so full OF love and human
kindness, should make US feel ashamed
of all narrowness and bigotry. Never
in the history of the country. in any
crisis or under any conditions. have the
Jewish citizens failed 10 live up 10 the
highest standard OF patriotism 1 an
not a preacher and not in the habit Of
appearing in pulpits- / never had done
so until / went to the Philippines.
where I stood first in a Presbyterian
pulpit and then in an Episcopalian.
Returning 10 this country I have
appeared in the pulpit OF my own
church. the Unitarian, and now I am in
a Jewish tabernacle. That is & round
which / think justifes me in saying
that I hope TO be the president Of all
the people and hope to have your sup
port a s You have given il to my pred
ecessors-without stint and with every
desire 10 make this truly good and
great country.