The Washington herald., 1909-04-20

For the first time in many years, and,
for ali that anybody seems TO know, the
first time in the history Of ne country,
the President and he Vice President Of
the United States ATTENDED a league base
ball game together yesterday afternoon.
Although they did not 60 together. Mr..
Taft and Mr.. Sherman sat side by side
IN one Of the boxes at American League
Park and witnessed the contest between
the Boston and the Washington teams.
They did not root hard. because there
vas nothing in particular for partlssns Of
the home team TO root about
It vas a one-sided contest from be-
ginning to end. although there we're one
OF two occasions when i seemed re-
notely possible that the Washiastons
would make runs enough 10 render tSs
clash somewhat more interesting toward
the close OF the g:nle. But the desired
base hits were not forthcoming. and Pres
ident Taft really looked a little less cheer
fuI than usual when the last man was
out in the ninth inning. and the homs
team had only half as many runs as
the visitors.
President Takes Half Holiday.
President Taft took a half holiday.
Shortly after luncheon he went out for
q horseback ride IN Potomac Park. ac-
eompanied by Capt. Butt. lis military
aid, who looked soldierly and dapper in
a khaki uniform with brown leather
boots The equestrian exercise lasted
only about half an hour, for it became
time for the President 10 attend his first
baseball game. He and Capt Butt left
the White House in q touring car. ac-
companied by a Secret Service man. and
arrived at American League Park about
the middle Of the second inning.
Despite the interest in the game. every
one in the grand stand and bleachers
arose as the President proceeded 10 his
box
Up 70 that time the visiting baseball
players had made only two runs. and il
was snybody's game, as Vice President
Sherman, who had already arrived. lost
no time in assuring Mr. Taft
The President and Capt Butt took
seats in a boz on the south side Of the
grand stand in the front row. directly
opposite the first-base line, but nearer
the home plate than first base. Vice
President Sherman sat at his left in
another box, but there was only low
partition about waist high between them.
With the Vice President were seated Rep
resentatiye Vreeland, Of New York. ex-
Senator Hemenway. Of Indiana, and sew
eral other wen-known persons.
Taft Preferred the Crowd.
There was some surprise that the Presi-
dent did not avail himself Of the privilege
Of sitting in what is known as the Presi-
dents box, a place Of vantage and
privacy, which is located in a super
structure erected on the roof Of the grand
stand, directly back OF the catcher's S
plate The President seemed to prefer
rather TO come down through the crowd
seated in the grand stand. where he could
see the people and see the game at the
same time
There was big cheer as NIr Taft ea-
tered the stand and made his way down
one OF the aisles 10 the box IN front.
Several hundred people in the near vicini-
ty rose 10 their feet and cheered more
loudly than they did at anything that
took place On the diamond during the
game. The President acknowledged the
attention by raising his hat and boRing.
He Immediately replaced the hat. how
ever, and It was observed that the Presi-
Dental headgear actually rested slightly
on one side and toward the back Of his
head
Their Hats Back Tilted.
The Vice President also wore hts hat
tipped well backward. and the two dis
tinguished statesmen Of ample physique
presented for the time being a pleasing
picture OF satisfied sportsmen- The Presl-
dents hat, by the way. was a black
derby. and he was attired in a sack coat
and dark trousers 10 match.
The game had not proceeded far before
somebody in the Vice Presidents box
Continued on Page E, Column 3.
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