Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
ARRESTED NEAR TAFT
CARRYING BRASS BAR
Philadelphia Crowd Thought
President Was Attacked.
Visits ''CradIe of Liberty"

PHILADELPHIA. December 3O.-Pres
ident Taft on his way to attend the peace
dinner In New York tonight, spent three
hours in Philadelphia this afternoon, and
during that time made an address dedt
eating tho new building of tho Johr
Wanamaker store. held reception in the
Offices Of the Phialadelphia Public Ledger
and visited Independence Hall. where he
revently laid his hand on the old liber-
ty bell.
He was warmly greeted by the people
who CHANGED to be on the street he
traversed in going from place to place
The route he was to take through the
business section Of the city was not gen.
orally known and many persons in the
everyday throngs on the streets did not
know the President OF the United States
was among them until they heard the
clatter of the horses of the Philadelphia
City Troop. which was the President s
honorary escort.
The president spend more than two
hours in the Wanamaker establishment,
where the dedication exercises were held
in the presence of thousands OF persons.
Thought President Was Attacked.
a
Ter, who with a long brass bar in his
hand attempted to shake hands with
President Taft. was quickly nabbed by
Detective Fogan and turned over to the
police. President Taft, accompanied by
his military aid. Maj. Butt, and secret
service man Wheeler, was standing on the
platform where the President spoke this
morning when Cutler, carrying a brass
rod. suddenly stepped from the crowd and
thrust his hand out
Detective Wheeler jumped for him and
threw him against the side of the speak
ers platform. Considerable excitement
was occasioned and it was feared that
an attack had been made upon the Presi-
dent. Cutler explained that he was a
great admirer of the President and only
wanted to have the honor of shaking
hands with him. He declared that. he
was a bookbinder and that the piece OF
brass was part Of his tools. Cutler
was thoroughly frightened. but protest
ed innocence of any wrong Intentions
He was taken to the police station. The
President said he thought Cutler had nc
intention OF harming him.
President held a reception. Then he
proceeded by automobile to the Public
Ledger offices, where he met George w
Ochs. editor and publisher. and the en-
tire stan OF that newspaper. The re-
cepuon was held in the offices once used
by the late George w. Childs and which
were visited in Mr.. Childs' time by Presi-
dents Grant, Hayes and Cleveland.
Visits Independence Hall.
While IN the Ledger offices the Presi-
dent expressed wish to visit Inde-
pendence Hall, across the street, remark
ing that he had not been at the Cradle OF
Liberty" since way back In the seventies
Thanked by John Wanamaker, and Mr.
OchS, the President proceeded to the old
building, while the police hurriedly open
ed a way through the crowd. Mr.. Taft
first entered the room where the Declare
ton Of Independence was signed and
placed his name in the visitors book
After taking a look at the portraits OF
the forefathers hung about the walls and
the quaint colonial furniture In the room
he next stepped into the rotunda and
stood at the glass case inclosing the his
toric bell The old guard on duty opened
the case and the President laid his un.
gloved hand ON the old, cracked relic
an honor which the guardian of the bel
gives to no visitors.
The President then hurried to the rail
road station and left for New York al
4:O pm.