New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-11-01
GREATEST TAFT WELCOME
Pittsburgh Caps the Climax of
Presidents Trip.
CROWD OF 25C,00O CHEER
River Pageant Reviewed and
Mine Test Explosion Wit
nessed-Roosevelt Praised.

(From STAFF Correspondent of The Tribune)
Pittsburgh, oct 3l.-Pittsburgh capped the
climax The welcome which the Smoky
City extended 10 President Taft to-day was
fitting climax to his ions trip, WHICH,
to all ntents and purposes. ends to-nlgh''
The assemblage which greeted President
Taft when he appeared IN the bow OF the
copy Of the old New Orleans far eXceeu-
ed any he had previously seen on his entire
trip. A careful estimate OF the great gath
ering i'm the stadium at San Francisco,
where the President turned the first shovel
full of earth for the Panama-Pacifc Expo
stion. fixed the number at 10000. II that
estimate was correct fully a quarter Of a
million people faced the Chief Executive
to-day on the Monongahela wharf. NO
sooner had Mr. Taft assembled the gang
plank so that the crowd could see him tnah
there went up a mighty cheer that sounicd
like the roaring of a tornado.
Before the President spoke, Mrs. Alice
Roosevelt Longworth broke bottle oil
champagne on the bow Of the New orleans
and a cheer went up for the far SPONSOR
which was repeated when, a moment later
she appeared beside the President on the
hurricane deck.
The President. remarking that 1t would
be impossible for any human voice 10
roach the limits of so vast an assemblage.
spoke briefly, but in his remarks he TOOK
occa sion TO pav generous tribute to his
predecessor n s the man who had done more
than any other TO make the Panama Canal
nossible Mr.. Taft led up 10 this some
what ingenjously by remarking that
was singularly apt that the name OF Roose-
Welt should be connected with TINS oc0d-
sion. the centennial anniversary OF the
first steamboat on the Ohio, inasmuch dS
"this beautiful river the Ohio, runs INTO
the Mississippi the Mississippi into the
Gulf of Mexico. and that leads to the ran
anna Canal the great engineering nnds'ei
niece of ages. which my distinguished preu-
ecessor. Theodore Roosevelt, has done moro
TO make possible than any other man
This graceful tribute brought forth an
other cheer from the great mul'ituue oi
the banks. which was repeated When the
President concluded.
When Mrs Longworth, President lait
ood other distinguished visitors had signed
the log Of the New Orleans, the President
gave lis hand to Mrs. Longworth' ana theS
went down the gangplank together anu
boarded the Virginia. the flagship OF tno
day. while all near enough 10 see appiauu-
ed vigorously.
Crowd for Roosevelt Exceeded.
Those who were here a year ago WIN
President Roosevelt thought fittspurth h'o
assembled the largest crowd and dispaye"
the greatest enthusiasm that WouId eve
he seen i'm the Smoky City. but TO-DAY
demonstration, both in the streets OF ''7
Nonongahela wharf and along the river
hanks. exceeded anything this city mas
ever seen. 49,
IN drizzling rain the President 'hIs
morning witnessed a remarkable eXhipiuoi'
of mine rescues, first aid TO injured MINERS
etc. and after congratulating the men on
their sklful work in a brief speech He
awarded the medals and first ala packages
presented by the National Red 'rosS'
Other speakers on this occasion were sec
retary Fisher who pointed out that con-
servation of human life was the highest
DEVELOPMENT of that policy, and one which
must command the support Of all humane
neoule. Miss Mabel Boardman. who made
q short but eloquent address on the work
of the miners and OF the Red Cross, and
| Governor Tarer. who acted as POSTMASTER.
The President touched button when
| exploded charge. Instantly smoke and
fame burst from the Ions steel CALLER!
erected in the park. and a rescue team
dashed for the main opening The men
were clad in the armor provided for such
/ bappenings. and returned quickly with
dummies. representing injured men. An
ambulance was in waiting, and they car
r,ed the unconscious" victims by the
Presidents box lie applauded the reals
| tic scene.
The elimination Of the days entertain
ment was the dinner given in honor OF the
President by the Pittsburgh Chamber Of
! Commerce. which is said to be the largest
ever given in this city. more than fourteen
hundred guests being present.
The speakers, i'm addition TO the Presi-
dent. were Representative Martin w. Lit
Teton and job e. Hedges, Of New York,
! Governor Tener, speaking 10 the toast
! "The Commonwealth" assured the Presi-
dent. i'm the name of Pennsylvania, that
the people Of this state would espouse his
cause in the great struggle soon to take
Mare" saving President Taft was the best
eyuonent Of that wise and safe government
dear TO the hearts of all Pennsyvanians.
q. G.. II.