The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-10-02

1t was after o'clock when
President Taft and party on board
the private yacht Ell Primero
reached the Flyer dock last even
ing. The yacht was delayed near
ly an hour in Seattle and was then
crowded out by the Indianapolis,
which came rushing in at the
same time, and the president was
compelled to wait until the larger
boat was tied up before the yacht
could land.
Mayor Linck greeted the presi-
dent with words of welcome and
President Taft expressed apprecia-
tion at being in the city.
The whole city was a blaze of
light.
The city hall loomed against the
dark sky like a great castle of
gold, decorated in roses, and Pa
cific avenue was a glare of light
with thousands lining the walks
on either side to greet the chief
executive of the nation.
ODctu 10 UNION SluD.
The local reception committee
had a dozen touring cars at the
wharf and President Taft was
soon seated and the company be-
gan its procession to the Union
club. Cheers greeted the presl-
dent as he passed. His smile
which had been exercised so much
| 1t has become almost stereotyped
into sadness, greeted everybody
and occasionally he lifted his silk
hat as a particularly demonstra-
tive group Of ladies made theil
presence manifest.
| The automobiles moved swiftly
however, and the cheer was hard
Ily out of the crowd until the OBJ
ject of the greeting was gone AMI
the applause had moved on up tht
line with him.
Dinner at the Union club was
Iplain and substantial. The presi
dent is good eater but he has
been surfeited with delicacies. He
was tired, too, with the round Of
gaiety he has endured.
Go to ArIn0ry.
A short rest following dinner
and the automobiles were again al
the door and once more the party
started up the street. At ibe
armory national guards held back
the crowd of three or four thou
sand that stood outside with the
gates and doors all closed. When
they asked for admission the ush-
ers informed them the hall was
packed. Only the reserved block
In the balcony for the Union club
and the 125 seats on the stage for
Especially invited guests were left.
The crowd waited outside, how
ever, for a glimpse of the presi-
dent and there was more cheering
when he came.
Within the big hall was a scene
Iof animation. Decorators hal
done their best and there was a
combination of color and light
that was delightful.
Ovation For President.
A bugle blast brought the Coast
Artillery band to a dead stop in
the middle of a selection In their
preliminary concert and immedi-
|ately they struck up a martial air.
The audience arose and gazed IN
tently at the west door by the side
of the stage and In few moments
the massive form Of the man who
|presides over the destinies of the
greatest nation on earth was ush-
cred into the room by Mayor
Linok and r. L. Mccormick.
Then there was a greeting that
was gratifying. President Taft
stepped up the stairs and onto the
big stage and as he did so a great
|20-foot flag at the back of the
istage fell to the floor and revealed
the climax in the decorative
scheme of the house. a great por-
trait Of the president, surrounded
Iby electric globeD ann surmount-
ed by the flag in colored lights and
above all the eagle.
There was another burst Of ap.
Continued on Page Three.)