Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-11

a n
w absence of more than three
months, during which he has
made a 130OO-mile trip through the
west and south, President Taft sleeps
tonight in the White House.
He left the capital August 6 with
the cheers of the crowds ringing in
his ears. He returned today to the
ried only a moment with the welcom-
ing parties.
His objective point was the White
House and Mrs. Taft, and as quickly
as he could get away from the brler
welcome he climbed into his big au-
tomobie. The chauffeur broke all the
speed records of the District There
was no demonstration at the White
House.
The special police there kept the
curious outside the grounds and When
Mr.. Taft alighted and ran quickly up
the steps he turned for moment ana
waved a smiling farewell to Fred Car
penter, his secretary; Col. Spencer
Crosby and Capt. Archibald Butt, his
two military aids, who had accom-
panied him from the station. Ihen
the big swinging doors of the White
House swallowed him.
The president shook hands with the
two negro doormen, who smiled wei
come that showed every tooth in their
heads.
Continue to Grin
The fiunkeys continued to grin long
after the president had disappeared
above, where Mrs. Taft had been ap-
prised of his return. He did not snow
himself again tonight, not even to visit
WIS
lighted and decorated for his inspec-
tion.
Two hours before the presidents
train was due crowds began to fill the
union station. There was an unusual
gathering of police, secret service men
and detectives. When the train rolled
in from Richmond on time there was
an imposing throng on the platform.
There were a few women, but for ths
most part the space was taken up Dy
silll-hatted crowds.
Among the throng were secretary
Carpenter Col. Crosby, military ala
to the president. and Assistant Secre-
tary of War Oliver.
A moment before the train pulled IN
some diversion was caused by COM
mittee of ten members from the cham
ber of commerce filing down the broad
stairway. Frock- coated and silk
HATED, they marched to the platform,
two abreast, and took up their stand
at the point where the presidents car
would stop.
Captain Butt There
When the train drew up the first
person out was Captain Butt. He was
followed by Secretary of the Navy
Meyer, who Joined the president today
in Richmond Then the president. to
the accompaniment of hand-clapplnS
oh or n
the ground.
MIR. President, ] want to welcome
you back to the capitol-on behalf of
the members of the chamber of COM
merce," said President GUIDE of that
body, capturing Mr. Taft Immediately.
"Thank you" replied the president,
removing his hat and smiling benign
back Let me see-I left here August
6, didn't 1? Well. / am back again
feeling just as well as when | went
away-or even better"
Preceded by Captain Butt and fol-
lowed by Secretary Meyer and a
throng of personal friends, Mr.. Taft
then made his way UP the stairs 10
the waiting room set aside for the
presidents use. Every one except
members of the cabinet was excluded.
In spite of the dress rehearsal" of
the cabinet held at the department of
Justice last Monday night, there were
some violations of ethics in wearing
apparel. Secretary Nagle daringly
wore a white tie with his frock coat
and silk hat and this lapse seemed to
Jar the aesthetic nature of some of his
fellow statesmen.
Six Disappear
In any event Secretary Nagle and
five other members of the cabinet dis
appeared quickly, leaving Secretary
Knox and Postmaster General Hitch
cock with the president. The three
conversed earnestly for two or three
minutes, after which Mr.. Taft made
his way to the White House automo-
bile.
IThe president did not appear to have
been fatigued by his long trip. APP
parently he was no stouter than when
he left, although it was whispered
among his intimates that he had
picked up several pounds.
When asked about it he laughingly
spread out his arms ,and invited in
spection.
When President Taft spoke at the
city auditorium in Richmond this af-
ternoon he made his 266th speech of
the long trip which, according to the
itinerary, covered 1879 miles, but with
side trips amounted to more than
$4,000 miles
During the trip from Richmond the
president had an extended conference
with Secretary Meyer disposing of q
number of matters that have been
pending in the department, including
the scheme of reorganization. The re-