The Topeka state journal., 1910-11-19
Colonel Roosevelt Makes a Visit
to the White House.
Relates His African Experiences
to National Grange.
HE AVOIDS POLITICS
But Takes a Sly Shot at the
Courts.
Every Dog Has His Day But
Night Belongs to the Cats"

Washington, Nov. 19.-CoI. Roose-
welt visited the White House today for
the first time since he left it as presi-
dent in 1909. He seemed to enjoy his
visit as much as the tourists who file
in and out of the executive offices ev-
cry day. The former president arrived
in an automobile and drove up to the
main entrance. He sprang out of the
car and ran lightly up the steps,
where a door man, all smiles of rec
ognition swung the door open.
Col. Roosevelt left his card for Mrs.
Taft who is in New York. News of
his presence spread through the house
quickly and before he could get away
he had to shake hands with many of
4, the house servants.
Col Roosevelt then visited the ex
ecutive offices and was quick to note
the additions and changes which have
been made since he left Assistant
Secretary Forster guided him through
the new portion which stands on the
site of the famous tennis court and
then into the office where President
Taft does his work.
The former president stood there
for d moment looking through the
south window out into the White
House grounds, then he turned and
walked out into the main waiting
room. where he shook hands with all
the clerks and other attaches.
spent perhaps 20 minutes at the place
where he put in the seven most active
years of his life.
Looks Over His Specimens.
Washington, Nov. 19.-Colonel
Roosevelt today put in about as busy
day as any he ever spent in the ma
tlonai capital He viewed in the ma
tional museum building the specimens
which he and his companions obtained
on their expedition through east
Africa.
Isn't that a fine specimen? and
''By George, I'm glad We were able to
secure complete series of these, ,"
were frequent comments which he
made. He was accompanied by c.
Hart Merriam, chief of the biological
survey; Major Mearns, DR. Heller and
j. Alden Loring, the latter three of
whom were with him on the trip. The
specimens he found in all stages of
completion, some in the taxidermist's s
shop, others still tanned, but only a
Few mounted for exhibition. The col
onel finished his visit to the Smith
sonian Institution barely IN time to
rush off to luncheon at the home of
Gilbert H. GrOSvenor. secretary of the !
National Geographic society.
This afternoon. he was at the residence
of his daughter, Mrs. Nicholas Long
worth, where returns from the Yale
Harvard football game at New Haven |
were received.
y
state and Mrs. Knox, members of the |
diplomatic corps and many other promi- |
nent officials are expected to call at the |
Longworth residence, for tea. In the |
evening the colonel will be the guest |
of honor at dinner given by DR.. c. |
Wolcott, director of the Smithsonian !
institution at which number of the |
country's leading scientists will be pres
ent.
Mr.. Roosevelt will leave for oyster |
Bay tomorrow.
In the role of sportsman and scien-
list he came to relate before the Ma
tional Geographical society his adven- !
lures in the African jungle.
Much interest was manifested as to |
whether he would make any reference |
to the recent political upheaval or poll |
tics in general, but beyond the remark |
that every dog has his day but the !
nights belong to the CATS which he |
made in jest before the National Press !
club, where he was informally receiv- |
ed shortly after his arrival, the colonel !
evaded the mention of politics.
From the moment of his arrival the !
colonel kept up rapid fire of superla- |
tiveS that eVinced the hearty enjoyment |
he felt at returning to scenes that re-
called strenuous days of executive ac-
ton.
At the National Press club there was a |
great gathering of newspaper men and |
their friends. Many of those who well
coined the ex-president were present in |
March, 1909, when he bade farewell to |
the correspondents and writer's with |
whom he had been associated during the |
seven years of his administration.
MY friends" he began 81 am very
deeply touched by your kind way Of |
greeting me and I do hope you under |
stand how genuinely 1 feel it. 1 do not |
want to make any comments"
Mr.. Roosevelt Joined in the laugh that I
followed and added:
Il was thinking of one, however, that !
weuld be sufficiently inclusive. I wish 20 |
say that every dog has his day but the |
nights belong to the cats"
The colonel closed with a bit of humor |
that occasioned laughter when he said: |
And now L am going to have a chance |
to shake hands with every blessed one |
who does not think his character will be |
hurt thereby
In his lecture at Convention hall he con-
fined his remarks entirely to a discussion |
of the incidents of the trip and evoked |
mingled laughter and applause as he told |
of the habits of the natives, the en-
counters with wild beasts and the re-
Inarkable collection of specimens Whicn |
he declared he was glad the expedition |
was able to obtain.
Indirect allusion was made by the col
preme court, when he related an incident |
which, he said, only Mark Twain could |
have done justice to.
ANY of us who have had dealings with |
government officers know the type of bu- |
reaucrat that will keep to the rules even
tain Smith. the head of the irrigation ser
vice in a North African town, had been /
trying to raise vegetables and flowers
One night a zebra came and his gardener
killed the animal, whereat the district
judge promptly fined the gardener for
killing game"
The audience laughed as the colonel