The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-02

TAFT DECLARES.
He IS LONESOME
Tells Newspaper Men Of Isola-
ton Of the White
House.

washington, February 1.-prcsident
tart pleaded guilty to q sense OF
lsoiatlol IN the White House in his
e ea,n 70 .ne newspaper men at an in
formal reception rendered him at tho
rooms of the National Press Club yes
terday afternoon.
lie confessed he was very human
anu liked to walk along the streets.
look In the shop windows, have some
foiks come along and to give him a
glance and then pass on without fur
ther notice, and even to have otheB
take glance. look again. nudge their
companions and then, with due
sense of reverence to the presidential
Office. say: Hello. Taft
The President left his desk little
earlier than usual yesterday afternoon.
ALFRED In gray sack suit and
sweater. he started out for his after
noon walk.
He was accompanied by Captain
Archibald NJ. Butt, his aid, and Mr.
Carpenter, his secretary. Ills first
stopping place was the National Press
Club rooms at Fifteenth and T. Streets.
Members on HIND in Numbers.
Here he was greeted by Il large turn
out of the members. who had been
quietly tipped off in advance what was
likely to happen
Arthur j. Dodge. president of the
club, and Elmer Paine, vice president,
with other members of the board of
governors, gave the president formal
welcome. He was shown through the
library the cardroom, the billiard
rooms. and other points of interest,
finally repairing to the large assem-
bly, room, which was crowded with
members and fairly rang with applause
upon his entrance.
After the knights of the quill had
been presented TO him, each more or
loss in novel way ,.at frequently
aroused shouts of laughter, in which
he heartily Joined. the President made
a brief address. He expressed admlra
ton for what he had seen, especially
the paintings and cartoons that adorn-
ed the walls. and said he was glad the
newspaper men had a place whore they
might enjoy themselves after their
hours OF labor, If there were ever any
hours when they were free.
He referred to the pleasure he had
received in meeting the Gridiron Club
and paid side compliment to the hum
bier correspondents Of the papers in
the smaller towns.
Apology for Costume.
i have to apologize for appearing
before you in a garb that I have found
convenient to wear when walking
through the purlieus of Washington"
he said. There are. ! suppose. some
limitations upon presidential pedcs-
tcianism, but have not found them as
YET. except in tired muscles.
ut Is very great pleasure to me to
walk along the street, look into the
windows and pass by great many
people who don't know, who L am. and
at times to meet a fellow who looks
once at me and then passes on without
any further curiosity, and another fell
low who looks twice, uudges his friend.
and then with that degree of revcr-
ence that we all feel for high office,
says Hello. Taft
But there is in the White House q
sense of isolation. due to the fact that
generally nobody drops in. Everybody
who comes comes by engagement. and
you don't have that pleasant surprise
that CONES from having heighbors
look in on you at odd times and with
n feeling that they have a right to
come.
Il don't know that that feature OF
the White House life can be changed
perhaps it ought not to be; perhaps II
we change the system we would only
long to return to the system OF en-
gagements, for the enga sements are
many. time passes rapidly and business
Is active"
Glad He Game.
In conclusion the President thanked
the club for the courtesy Of Its invi-
tation to pay 1t visit and expressed
his pleasure in meeting Its members.
IT hope I will remember every oncl
of you,'' he said. Il want to, but RI
am sure that / won't The only way
one remembers is by constant assoc
citation, and am sorry to say that. as
i look about here. there is only one
eleventh of this assembly / am likely
to see.
However, | shall be glad to see any
one of you who honors me by coming
up to the Office and who can get by
Carpenter and Stone We have in
augurated new system there now. so
that everybody gets mat least. I
think everybody gets in. Judging by the
fact that | do not get to my lunch
until after o'clock
In any event, when you do honor
me l shall be delighted to see YOU"
After remaining to chat with in
dividual members a few minutes. the
President, accompanied by Captain
Butt and Mr.. Carpenter, took his de-
parture amid shower of applause and
Invitations to come again.
Heavy lines were drawn on the
clubs register under the place where
he and his companions had inscribed
their names, that the historic event
OF their visit may stand out in due
prominence.