Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-18
TAFT PRAISES ARMY
Declares It Has Not Received
Its Deserts.
DELEGATES POST CHAPEL
Spends Very Busy Day in San
Antonio.
THRONG OF CHILDREN SINGS
Will Go to His Brothers Ranch to
Pass the Next Four Days in
Taking a Rest.
THRONG OF CHILDREN SINGS

SAN ANTONIO, Tex, October 1S.-
President Taft, who arrived here last
evening, spent a busy seven hours in
this city today before leaving for his
brothers ranch, near the southern tip
end of the state, where he is to spend
four days resting. Charles 2. Taft has
had golf course constructed on the
ranch. and between this favorite sport
and horseback riding the President
poets to have thoroughly good time.
1t will be even more of a rest than
the President had in the Yosemite, and
he expects it to put him in splendid con-
dition for the remaining three weeks of
his notable trip.
AS a matter of fact Mr. Taft, how
ever, never felt better than lie does to-
day. Railroad travel by day or night
never tires him in the least and at each
city he visits he places himself entirely
in the hands of local committees and is
ready to carry out any program suggest
ed no matter how strenuous. This will
ingnesS on the part of the President. his
goOd-natured enjoyment of whatever may
be planned in his honor, has led many of
the committees to extend their program
far beyond the original outline. and they
keep the President pretty busy from the
moment his train arrives until its de-
parture.
After his hardest days. however, Mr..
Taft is ready to sit up late on the train
talking with his guests on the trip None
of the latter attempts to keep pace with
the President in all that he does or is
called upon to do.
Greeted by Cheering Crowds.
The President was up early this morn
ing to carry out the program arranged
for him in this. the first really southern
city to entertain him on his present tour.
Mr.. Taft has been to San Antonio be-
fore as Secretary of War and his act in
that capacity In building Fort Sam Hous-
ton up to the present splendid military
station has won him great favor from the
city Of the Alamo Whsrever he went to-
ing throngs. His declaration of the fact
that he was not on a political mission and
his visit was that solely of the President
of the United States helped to add to the
enthusiasm of his reception.
Before o'clock this morning automo-
biles were waiting for the President at the
steps of the st. Anthony Hotel, where he
stopped last night, to convey him to Fort
Sam Houston, where with a simple cere-
mony he laid the cornerstone of the near
ly completed post chapel building. This
chapel, one of the handsomest buildings
to be found In the jurisdiction of the War
Department. was presented to the post by
the citizens of San Antonio, and was
formally accepted and dedicated by Presi-
dent Taft shortly after his arrival from
Ell Paso last night.
Thousands Of Singing Children.
/. On his way to Fort Sam Houston this
morning the President was driven through
lines Of school children. 14,OOO in number,
who sang America" as he passed. The
President halted his march to listen to the
song and to the cheers of the children.
Arriving at the fort he was greeted
by all the troops stationed there before
proceeding to the chapel where the serv
ice of placing the cornerstone in the
niche reserved for it was performed The
troops were those that acted as escort
to President Taft and President Diaz
at Ell PasO Saturday.
Following the chapel ceremony the
President held a reception at the officers
Club.
At 1890 he was back in the city to
make 81 brief address from a grandstand
on Alamo Plaza.
AT noon the Presidents visit ended with
an informal luncheon given by the citi-
Dedication of Post Chapel.
President Taft last night dedicated the
new chapel at Fort Sam Houston. Speak
ing of the relations of the army and re-
iigion, he said:
II would desire to say that an excep-
tional circumstance has contributed to-
ward the erection of the army post here,
and one that speaks wonders to the
people of San Antonio and for the army
of the United States statiOned in this
beautiful city. 1t has not always been
SO at every post as it is here. where
you love the army and where the army
loves you.
Visiting here convinces me that the
officers and enlisted men of the army
are held in the highest regard, and that
they have been taken into your society.
AT this point the chair in which Mayor
Callaghan was seated broke with & crash.
the mayor narrowly missing a fall to
the floor. Turning quickly when he
heard the noise and seeing the cause,
President Taft smiled and remarked:
II am delighted. my friends, that l am
standing at this time.
When the laughter occasiOned by the
residents remark subsidized the Presi-
dent continued:
Under our Constitution we do not
unite the church and the state. Some say
this is a coldness on the part Of our gov
ernment toward religion. You know and
l know that such is not the condition
The government encourages morality and
religion In every department of its peo-
pie
ITO house. clothe and discipline from
20 600 to 1OO, 900 men Is a great task. and
certain restrictions must be thrown
around them. In order that the men
may nave tne opportunity TO WOrShlp
God. the government employs chap
lains. at salaries paid by the govern
ment.
Praises Deserved by Army.
1.-The army has not received the praise
it deserves. Sometimes certain people at
Washington take what you call a fall
out of the army
1.-The supporters Of the army do not
| to the defense of the attacks They do
not defend that army Of devoted men as
they should.
I don't think we can afford to reduce
the army at all. Some statesmen see
threat when the talk is made to increase
the army. I will leave it to the people
of San Antonio to say IL they fear the
free institutions of our country are en-
dangered by an efficient army of 100, ,OOO.
Long Ride Over the Desert.