Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-23
THE PRESIDENT.
In New York to Honor
Washington's Memory,
Speaks to New Jerseys So
ciety Of the Cincinnati.
Then Attends Banquet and Ad.
dresses Police lieutenants.

New York, Feb. 22-President Taft
came to New York for the second time
within 10 days On Feb. II he came
to honor the memory of Abraham LIN
coin; this time as the 9th President
he came to honor the memory of the
first, George Washington. Arriving in
Jersey City the President was sur
rounded by hollow square of police
men and Secret Service men which
gave first impression that undue meas
ures of protection were being taken.
That there was nothing in the air aside
from exaggerated Jersey City cour-
teSy was made plain, however, when
the party reached Manhattan. There
three mounted policemen led the auto
mobile from the boat and galloped in
front of it clearing the way to the
home of the Presidents brother, Henry
w. Taft. where the President was left
alone with relatives until banquetting.
As the Presidents train was about
to leave Washington. he was informed
that the Baron Mayor Des Planches,
until recently italian ambassador to the
United States, and the baroness were
departing on another train in the sta
his best wishes and the hope that they
would soon return to this country.
When at Jersey City President Taft
espied Capt. Flynn of the Secret Ser
vice, he warmly shook hands with him
and remarked:
That was magnificent piece of
work you and your men did, captain,
in rounding up and sending to the
prison the Lupo gang Of counterfeit
ers."
He was referring to the convictions
here last Saturday of eight Italian
counterfeiters, also suspected of being
leaders of the Black Hand.
Six hundred police lieutenants of
Greater New York cheered the Presi-
dent as he appeared before them at the
Waldorf Astoria, a late and almost in
formal arrival at the fourth annual
banquet. He had previously attended
and delivered an address before the
Society of the Cincinnati in the state
OF New Jersey. an ariStocratic affair
held at the Hotel Plaza. Leaving there
after speech which dwelt almost en-
tlrely with the life of Washington the
president made quick progress by au-
tomobile to the police gathering. where
ne was enthusiastically received
Mayor Gaynor shared the honors
with Mr.. Taft at the lieutenants' ban
Guet and there We're present besides
the officers, more than 300 men well
known in political, municipal and po-
lice affairs.
The dinner was held in the grand
ballroom, but the Astor gallery was
o1c 1fI ;5,tn
nent men looked on from the galleries
and boxes. The President said in part:
II have come to tell you tonight that
I am with you. For we are engaged in
the same duty-that of preserving the
law and defending the rights of the
people and in obtaining a square deal
for ALL
"Sincc I was Il years old I can hard
ly remember a time that l was not
holding Office and the duties of each
have imposed upon me the enforcement
of the law; and in enforcing the law
have had generally to count upon the
members of the police force to uphold
my hand"
He referred to his contact with the
New York police at campaign and
other times and complimented them
highly for their efficiency.
Il am not jollying you in this re-
spect." he said. because l feel that
| myself am defending the cause of
law and order that you represent, and
because | know that your history as
police force has shown that when it
is necessary for you to-Move forward
to suppress !awless violence, you take
your life in your hands, you know no
friends, no favortes, but do your duty
as YOU sec it and that is the principle
that we have got to maintain in this
country or else we might as we'll give
up the business of government"
President Taft plans to stop at his
brothers home for the night and to-
morrow will take an automobile to
N.v.arly n IN cpealS at the dinner