The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-05

" portion Of the American public al
his inaugural ball when ne varied from
the custom OF practically every one 81
his predecessors, and last night spent
the entire evening in the ballroom With
Mrs. Taft and a number OF especially
invited guests. the President remained
IN his box in the ballroom, in fun view
of the thousands in attendance through
out the evening. except for a little MORE
than half an hour when the party was
AT supper
That the thousands who we're massed
In the arcade we're delighted with the
action Of the President in remaining
with them, was manifest al all times
Mr.. Tatt's initial appearance IN the box
was the occasion Of "A tremendous oNa-
ton. and thereafter If the new President
turned his head. raised his hand or
smiled. the crowd downstairs would
again burst into prolonged applause
Second only to her distinguished nus
band in interest was Mrs. Iaft, VINO
sat beside the President and looked ont
over the great sea OF faces that stretch
ed before her through the length of the
big building Miss Helen Taft and the
bows Of the famil' with their young
relatives. enjoyed the show immensely
BrillIancy of Ball.
There was no question in the minds
Of those at the ball last night who had
attended similar events in The past that
the Taft inaugural ball was by far the
most brilliant event OF its kind IN his
tory The great rOtunda. which occu-
piss practically the entire length and
width OF the building was literally pack
Cd with beautifully gowned women. men
in evening dress, and officers OF the
gilitary and naval branches OF the Gov
eminent IN their bright fun dress uni
forms. The decorations surpassed those
OF all previous occasions OF Inc kind
and the scheme OF illumination was
without 4 flaw These things combined
to make the ball an occasion 10 be re
membered throughout their lives by
those who attended the function.
The President and his party reached
the building a few minutes after =
clock. IN the time preceding the ar
rival Of the President. the hall had hllN
with thousands OF visitors. every one
conforming TO the requirements OF the
occasion and appearing in evening dress
The big orchestra OF 70 pieces. under
the direction Of Sol Minister. and the
nited States Marine Band. under the
leadership of Lieutenant Santelmann.
o'clock.
Presidents Arrival.
II was a few minutes past O'Clock
when word was, received that the Pres
ident has arrived. Members OF the floor
committee took their places along the
aisle which had been rOped off around
the hall The Marine Band burst forth
with The Star-SpansIeG Banner as
Gist Blair and Thomas F. Walsh. OF the
floor committee appeared from the left
OF the Presidents box. Immediately be-
mind them came the President and Mrs
Taft, and a great cheer went up from
the people. Accompanying the PTesi-
dent and Mrs. Taft were Edward J.
stellwagen, chairman OF the Inaugural
Committee, and Milton r. Allies, chair
man of the ball committee.
Behind the President and Mrs. Taft
were the Vice President and Mrs. Sher-
man, and following them were the forty
six special aides appointed from the diff
1erent states as guard Of honor 10 the
President at the ball.
The procession led around the foun-
tain IN the center OF the hall and ba X
10 the west entrance the Presidential
party going at once TO the President r
box, where for more than an hour they
faced the great throns in the ballroom.
Strike Popular Chord.
The President struck popular chord
IN tDe public's fancy when, after having
received his own ovation, he and Mrs
Taft stepped back from the front Of the
box and gave the places OF honor TO the
Vice President and Mrs sherman. The
cheers were renewed and Mr.. and Mrs.
Sherman continued To bow their &C
Acknowledgements
From that time until the President and
Mrs TAFT left the han. which WIS near
y midnight the attention or the great
thTonE was focused on the Presiden-
tisl box Mrs. Taft bowed 10 acQuaint-
ances she saw in the crowd and fire.
auently during the evening NTrs. Sber-
man appeared At the front Of the box
and waved her hand 10 friends on The
moor. OnSe she brought the Vice Presi-
dent 70 the railing and called his at
tention TO some OF their old friends and
Mr.. Sherman waved his hands enthu-
siastically 10 them
IN the box with the Presidential party
were the relatives and Immediate
friends OF Mr.. AID Mrs Taft and Mr.
and Mrs. Sherman. In the galleries iust
hack OF the box were gathered the Din
Tomato Corps. members Of the Roosc-
Welt ca binet and their wives the Sr1-
preme Court, and practically the entire
smart world al Washington on an
sides we're heard expressions Of admira-
ton Tor the brilliant manner i'm which
the ball had been arranged.
Supper Served.
supper rooms FOR the President and
his party were reserved I'm the north
west corner OF The building. The Presi-
dent and Mrs. Taft with their snecIs Uv
invited guests left the box about 10.15
o'clock and went TO the supper room
There were sizty-four guests I'm The
party
When the President withdrew from
his box the crowd on the first floor
turned its attention 10 the hail ms
decorations, lights. and the music pro-
gram. a platform has been erected
- the east end Of the building Tor
dancing. IL was crowded throughout
the veninE
The PreSideu. and his party wore
At supper nearly an hour Entrance
10 the supper room were guarded b,
the Secret Service men who were or
DUTY a. the back OF the box during
the evening. Chief WiIkie was ON
hand 10 see that the President was yyeIl
taken care or
when the Presidential party came ont
of the supper room they returned 70
the box for five minutes or so and
their reappesTance was again the oc-
caslon or popular demonstration The
great wave Of humanity sIrgcd toward
the west end Of the building and the
President Was CHcered again and again.
Shortly aftervard the President left
the box. shaking hands With those he
met on the way 20 the Presidential
suite and IN fifteen minutes Mr.. and
Mrs. Taft were ready 20 leave TGc.-