The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-04
President Attends Opening
Of the May Festival
SHORT POLITICAL C0NFAB
Taft COnfers With Leaders Of Ohio
Politics But VIII Not Tell What
They Discussed Or Talk On
Work of Congress.

Cincinnati, May s-president Taft
wound UP day of renewing old acquaint-
ances by appearing before a brilliant and
enthusiastic throng at the opening of Gin
cinnatis annual May music festival to-
night as the dedcator of heroic statue
of Theodore Thomas, first conductor of
the festivals and for many years head of
the Chicago orchestra.
Having respected the Presidents wishes,
that he be treated as a citizen of Cincin-
natl all day, the public took full advant-
age of his appearance tonight to acclaim
him as the chief executive of the nation.
fanfare of trumpets unshered the
President upon the stage but the notes
of the instruments were drowned by the
shouting applause of the thousands who
had listened to the inspiring patriotic
strains of Handel's great choral work.
Judas Maccabeus." with it's story OF
love and liberty and justice.
A chorus OF 800 voices, backed by an
immense organ and the full Chicago or
chestra, sounded 90 Liberty, Thou
Choicest Treasure, Seat of Virtue. Source
of Pleasure" and was augmented by 300
boys voices when the tremendous .See
the Conquering Hero Comes chorus was
reached.
Mrs. Theodore Thomas and her two
sons occupied a box at tonigf1t's concert
and heard the Presidents eulogy of their
husband and father. The statue of the
dead musician, who conducted the festi-
xr,1~ l. ~
in the corridor of the building. It was
covered, when the audience entered, but
the draperies were removed at the con-
clusion of the Presidents speech and the
audience had a chance to View it,
After the concert the President was
whirled to the Queen City club, where
Lawrence Maxwell. former solicitor gen.
eral of the United States and president of
the May Festival association, was his
host until the presidential party left for
st. Louis. shortly before midnight.
Arrival in City
The President, arriving at 1925 o'clock,
was met at the depot by his brother,
c. p. Taft, and by city officials. who pre-
sented him with resolution of welcome
passed by the city council yesterday
From the station a swift automobile
whirled the President to the home of his
dence was followed by trip downtown
to the library meeting. and then the
President went to meet his old Cincin-
natl friends and neighbors.
In the downtown district Mr.. Taft talk
ed TO the Loyal Legion.
Wade II. Ellis Arthur I. Worys and
several other men of prominence In the
republican party called upon the Presi-
deSt during the day.
xrrn.t II
for publication regarding the attitude of
the insurgents In the House and Senate
toward the administration railroad bill.
Il is known that he has grown tired of
the professions Of some of the national
legislators in both branches OF Congress
that they are for his measure, when they
visit the White House, but were against
soon as they get back to Capitol hill.
Mr. Taft is far from having lost all
hope but 1t is evident that he is plainly
discouraged by the lack of support from
men who nominally belong to the party
of which he is the titular head.
The President explained today that he
WAS not sufficiently acquainted with the
latest details of the question in Washing
ton to allow him to comment on the rail-
road bill. But the morning paper pub
lished an obituary of the bill, suggested
by one of his intervewers.
Many obituaries are premature" re-
torted the President.
Greetings From Home Folks
Although this was President Taft's first
visit to Cincinnati since his Inaugural
tion as President. the city respected his
wishes and treated him as one of the
home folks. He was cheered heartily
wherever he appeared in public. but 1t
was by the passing pedestrians and en-
ployes of stores and factories, who
dropped their work for a moment to shout
greetings to the nations chief. then re-
turned to their tasks or hurried on their
way
The Presidents trip to the Mercantile
library meeting came at an hour when
the downtown streets throngs and there
usual luncheon setking throngs and there
was considerable of demonstration when
he alighted from the Taft automobile.
At the library President Tafts speech
II indeed It could be called that-was a
talk to old friends who had welcomed
him home. 1t was entirely without
rhetorical flourish or oratorial periodA
"When a man comes home" began Ne
"he wants to go where he WI
feel the most at home. l don't know ann
place which holds the memories OF oldN
Cincinnati to me more than the Mercan-
tile library I do feel proud of the SER
vice my IdlHer was dDie u IeHucr tlllS
institution.
That the President was sure of his
ground and had the sympathy of the
entire audience was evident by the
laughter and applause which greeted
his personal remarks. "The mercan-
tile library has served many purposes
beside the strictly library or literary
he said. 1T was most convenient for
any one to meet his girl here, as We
all did. I'm sure the librarians treas
ure many secrets 1t never would do
to tell"
Loyal Legion Meeting
At the Loyal Legion meeting the
President gave evidence that the home
features of the day had appealed to
him.
After declaring that he had been
too young tofight in the civil war and
too fat to take part in the Spanish
American struggle" he said:
'It is a pleasure to come back to
ones home and especially when you
have been in Washington and have
been gently chided for your shortcom-
Ings-to snuggle up close to those who
are fond of you and who have respect
for you whatever happens. and who
believe that however great the OBJ
stacles are and however severe the crit