New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-04
MR.. ROOSEVELT TOLD
YOU'RE LOOKING FINE
Doesn't Find That Lives of Coal
9 Miners Are All Hardship
and Gloom.
NO RACE SUICIDE, EITHER
Many Incidents Mark Trip of 30
Miles in the Neighborhood of
Wilkes Barre-At Oyster
Bay Again.
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Wflkes-Barre Penn. Aug. 3.-Theo
dore Roosevelt. on his trip of investiga-
ton of living conditions in the anthra
cite coal region to-day swung up and
down the wyoming Valley on both sides
Of the Susquehanna River. From 1880
this morning until late this evening he
vhirled from town TO village and min
ing camp, visiting miners. their wives
and families, clergynen of the neigh
borhood. talking with everybody with
whom ne came in contact. His days
travels covered roughly $50 miles.
With Mr.. Roosevelt to-day was John
Mitchell. and the visit of the two men
to the mining district was the signal for
great enthusiasm Everywhere they
were cheered, pictures Of them were
hung out and flags fioated over stores,
houses and schools. One woman kissed
John Mitcheli's hands. The people of
the anthracite regions have not forgotten
The work Of these two in the settlement
of the great coal strike of 1907
A Typical Incident.
An incident which was typical of the
DAYS happenings occurred at Wyoming.
Z
Wilkes Barre An old Irish woman
stepped up to Mr.. Roosevelt and, thrust
ing out her hand. exclaimed: Hello,
Teddy You're looking fine" The for
n5er President grinned with delight and
said he was glad 10 see her
You're looking fine, too" he said.
Yes, indeed" said she. I'm strong
as you are, and you're fine lump" Mr..
Roosevelt drove away. still smiling.
What he saw during the day pleased
Mr. Roosevelt greatly He said several
times that it was one of the finest and
most enjoyable trips of his life.
= did not come here TO Investigate in
dustrial conditions" he said L wanted
solely TO investigate the phases Of the
social life Of the workers around here,
and 10 see what kind OF amusements
they had" He denied that he intended
TO write magazine article as result of
the trip.
II was impressed on the eX-President
forcibly to- day that there is no race sui
eide in the district He heard OF big
families everywhere. and saw some of
them. At Avondale. for instance, which
John Mitchell says is the most typical
mining town OF the Wyoming Valley, Mr.
Roosevelt met four generations Of one
family He met women who boosted of
eight and ten and twelve children. He
met one who was the mother Of seven
teen. nine Of which were with her at the
lime She announced proudly that with
Gods help. she'd have three more, to
make E round twenty.
MI Roosevelt praised her ambition.
He heard. likewise, of a saloonkeeper
who had eighteen children, but didn't
verify the information.
Finds Shoes Missing.
Nr. Roosevelt expected to leave the
house Of Father ]. J. Curran. where he
suent the night. early. He knew he had
z long DAYS work ahead Of him, and he
wanted 20 get at il betimes. But
Father Curran had his own notions on
The subject When Mr.. Roosevelt arose
= dawn he couldn't find his shoes He
heard a most disconcerting chuckle from
Father Curran, though.
"Ha! Ia, Mr. Roosevelt you want
your shoes. don't you? Well, l have
them, and you can't have them until
you get proper sleep; now go back To
led and stay there until l call you"
The jokes on me- admitted Mr..
Roosevelt. He went back to bed and
slept until > a. IN. Then he got his
shoes.
IN the party which left Father Cur
rams home at about 1880 o'clock We're
the ex-President. John Mitchell, Law
renee Abbott. Father Curran and Father
C'Counen IN other automobiles came
newspaper men by the dozen. The first
stop was made at a little store in Brook
side. where a throng Of miners, women
and children were waiting to see
Teddy There were cheers and there
vas 3 general handshaking. Mrs, Z. J.
Gibbons and several small branches Of
The Gibbons tree greeted Mr. Roosevelt
and Mrs Gibbons told him she hoped
he'd be the next President Mrs. Mary
Lewis told Teddy" she was the mother
OF six children.
Wife the Better Citizen.
Madame" said he, my opinion al
ways has been that the average Ameri-
can was q pretty good citizen, but many
times his wife Is . better one
members Of the state constabulary, John
Gallagher and Al Ryan, both soldierly
looking fellows; both veterans OF the
Spanish-American War. They asked the
former Rough Rider colonel To come
over TO their barracks and greet the
men there later in the day, and he said
he would do SO gladly.
on the road to Pittston, city OF
Z bout fifteen thousand, the party passed
the Roosevelt High School The name
pleased Mr.. Roosevelt nightly He
chuckled over il in great good humor.
Al Pittston d stop was made at the
Italian colony, and Mr.. Roosevelt went
into some Of the houses and tried to talk
with the women They spoke no Eng
lsh and his Italian wasn't up TO the
demands on il, 50 the stay was a short
one. On departing Air. Roosevelt
noticed Rose Cont. mere tot, who car
RED her brother, a baby almost as big
Is herself.
Are you a little Italian girl?' Mr..
Roosevelt asked her.
Yes, sir" she answered.