The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-02
Thousands Are Turned Away Atthe Auditorium Where
 City's Guest Speaks
CORRUPTION IN POLITICS
 IS KEYNOTE OF SPEECHES
An Address Is Made to School Children in a Suburb of Kansas City and Another to Members of the
 Commercial Club

teen thousand people stood up, cheered, screamed and waved their handkerchiefs as Theodore Roosevelt came on the plat form of Convention hall in this city to- night. Two thousand people had to be turned away from the doors of the big hall after every seat and all standing room had been occupied.
 Colonel Roosevelt, coming to the front of the platform, stood rigidly erect, as he was given an ovation his countenance fixed in stern lines.
 Governor Hadley, appearing shortly aft erwards, was at once recognized and was given an equally enthusiastic greet ing by the people.
 President William T. Bland of the Kan sas City commercial club, which had just entertained the colonel at dinner, then introduced him with glowing encomiums. He declared the welcome being given Roosevelt, the man, was warmer than that which several years ago had been given him as President of the United States. "It is if possible more affection ate. more enthusiastic, more wonderful to the man who does things" said the speaker.
 .It was Roosevelt" he continued, "who awakened the public conscience which had already slept too long. I might al most say he created public conscience" Restless in waiting for Colonel Roose- velt's speech the great audience began shouting Freddy Roosevelt
 Insisting upon further complimenting the guest of honor, MT. Bland said:
 .'The nation owes to him an inhnte debt of gratitude"
 As he referred to the colonel's career in the Spanish war, shouts and cheers again filled the big auditorium.
 Roosevelt Presented
 Colonel Roosevelt being presented to the great audience, again arose cheers and thousands of handkerchiefs and hats were waved in the air.
 .~The American people owe nothing to . man who has been President or me United States compared to what he owes to the American people," declared the colonel, referring to the words Of the speaker who had presented him.
 When the doors of the hall were thrown open to the throng that was standing on the sidewalk. women and men surged m to the aisles and packed the last stand ine room that could be found.
 q am very deeply touched by the size of nv audience" declared the colonel, who proceeded at once with his speech. while President, he said, he had instruct ed his Attorney General to proceed agamst any man who was corrupt. whether he was a republican. senator from oregon or Kansas or a democratic governor or Oklahoma"
 "I think I value the i'll will of those men almost as much as I value the eoou will of honest senators, honest governors and other honest men with whom 1t has been my privilege to work" he said
 speakine of corruption in politics, the colonel added amid applause
 "r,oo, at the corruption in my state Of New York. ,nr trip proved a signal for another demonstration.
 Tribute to the Republic
 rh.r having a tribute to the Amer ,can renubljc, he reminded his audience That continental Europe was watching the American experiment in seif-go'- ernment with the greatest interest.
 "It is here in America" he said. "if we fail in our experiment Of self-gov- ernment woe to us and woe also 70 other nations on earth whom we Will have robbed of the brightest hope they now have"
 As he concluded his remarks Le great audience cheered and then scram- bled to reach the stage to shake the hand of the guest of honor.
 Colonel Roosevelt made his way through the crowd and was driven tc the station. He left at a late hour for Omaha, where he will speak to- morrow.
 An enjoyable part of the days en- tertainment was Dutch lunch given by Col. William R. Nelson at his home to the visiting newspaper men anc others of Colonel RooseVelt's party.
 Crowds Jam Sidewalks
 It was raining hard when Colone Roosevelt, after stopping at Kansas City. Kas.. to make a speech, reached this city. In spite of the rain, thous- andg of people were on hand at the station to see him. After a parade through the business section of tho city and the luncheon the colonel went to the Westport high school, in tn. southern end of the city, and talked to the pupils. He wound up the da, by making speech to throng thai filled tho Auditorium. His speech wa. about honesty in public and private life.
 The crowds which came out to set the colonel jammed the sidewalks ane at points blocked traffic The colone was cheered continually and was kep on his feet lowing and waving h,l hand.
 On the way to and from the sch ool house the colonel was escorted by ( squad of police mounted on motor cycles. Being exempted from the op eratton of the speed laws for the time the coloneIs chauffeur opened tn, throttle wide and whizzed over tn. boulevards at rate which made th, colonel jam his hat down hard ant gasp for breath.
 The auditorium of the high schoo was crowded with students when tn, colonel arrived and they stood on thei feet and gave the chautauqua salute while at the same time they shouted at the top of their voices.
 Confession to Make
 As soon as they would let him speal the colonel said he had a contest ol