New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-27
TAFT DEMONSTRATION
sPO|LS HIS PROMENADE
Crowds Close In on President,
Compelling Impromptu Recep-
ton on Fifth Avenue.
PRESIDENT MUCH PLEASED
Is Forced, However, to Seek
Shelter with Brothers Law
Partner to Escape His En-
thusiastic Admirers.

President Taft held an impromptu and
,,vo,untsry hut nevertheless enthusiastic
,sception in upper Fifth avenue, late yes
,.rdsy afternoon. He had started from his
trother's house i'm Fifth avenue, and tired
~ riding in an automobile. wanted TO take
ouiet stroll But he had hardly turned
north into the avenue, before people recog-
MED his familiar figure, and pressed for
q ward Others joined these, and in a few
minutes fully 1000 people surrounded the
President, each DESTROYS to shake hands
with him.
The secret service men could not force a
vsy for him 10 walk on the avenue. and
pstrolmen who hurried up were equally
nonerless Finally it was necessary to
stop in Jonn l.. Cadwalader's home, while
Secretary Hilles telephoned for the Prcsi-
dents car so that Mr.. Taft could escape
from this remarkable and spontaneous
demonstration.
The President was visibly pleased with
the cheers and salutations and the famous
Taft smile was we'll in evidence as he
stood talking 10 his brother, while the
pstrolmen made lane 10 his automobile.
The President left the home of Henry w.
Taft No So West 4Sth street just triile
after o'clock with his brother and Score
tarv Charles y. Hlles His car was stard-
Ing al the curb. and the chauffeur was en-
Practically Cranking UP the motor Two
Secret Service men jumped into the car he
hind. ready for the usual high speed whirl
about town, but Mr.. Taft surprised them.
Instead of getting into the automobile. he
started 10 stroll toward 4Sth street, with
ba
followed as usual. unostentatiously in the
rear Of the three.
Fifth avenue was filed with its customa"!
sunday afternoon throng, and Presiden:
Taft had not gone fifty feet north on the
thoroughfare before some one recognized
him and said so loudly The word fioatrd
through the crowd. and a swarm of per-
sons followed in the wake of the President
Automobiles hansoms and carriages swung
in close to the sidewalk and people began
10 wave their hats and handkerchief ard
cheer.
Secretary Hilles and Henry W. Taft began
10 talk earnestly TO the President, and evil
IDENTIFY tried TO urge him TO turn back, but
he only kept on walking up the avenue, by
this time smiling and bowling TO those who
greeted him at every step. When sd street
was reached the Secret Service men closed
up close behind tho President and his com
panions. trying TO keep the crowd from
showing and pushing, but many persons had
begun to run around in front Of them TWO
patrolmen. seeing the whirlpool OF persons
on the sidewalk. ran up and forced their
way through. and in another block two
others pushed their big, blue-coated Shout
doris between the blue serge suits and sum-
mer dresses of the citizens and citiZenesses.
At 55th street Inspector "Chesty George
NcCIusky, that master at handling crowds,
sprang UP from somewhere and offered his
services. But Henry W. Taft decided it
would be best 30 push through the crowd TO
tho home Of bis law partner. Mr.. Cadwala-
dor at No. East seth street Inspector
McCIusky and the rest OF the small per
sonal escort finally fought their way
through and got Mr. Taft inside the Cad
valader home but the crowd remained
outside.
Secretary IIilles had telephoned 10 the
Taft home for the car. and when II arrived
the patrolmen had TO force the people away
10 enable the chauffeur to drive up to the
curb. When the President appeared on the
steps the patrolmen did their best TO keep
the crowds al a respectful distance, but
people pushed and surged and showed their
heads between the traffic mems shoulders,
waving and cheering at the President who
smiled i'm answer. repeatedly bowling. he
stood up in the car for a moment as he got
in and lifted his hat to d cheer that sped
MIN on his way.
Mr. Hilles said last night the President
had been very much pleased with the dem
onstration accorded him He never had
any idea he would attract so much atten-
non on the avenue when he started out,
said Mr. Hilles. "Only two Secret Service
men went with US. The President does not
care for policemen as an escort except
when he goes out at night 10 dinner and
they are needed TO help get through the