New-York tribune., 1912-03-03
TAFT PAYS TRIBUTE TO
WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS
Praises Writer at Dinner Here
as the Greatest Living
American Novelist.
"HEAD OF LITERARY MEN"
Hundreds of Prominent Persons
Congratulate Author at Sew
enty-fifth Birthday ceie.
bration at Sherry's.

President Taft came 10 New York last
night to pay tribute 10 William Dean
Howells, the writer and novelist, whose
seventy fifth birthday was celebrated at
a dinner given in Sherry's restaurant ty
Colonel George Harvey. Noveists,
men and women best known in Amer
icas literary world were there to do
homage 10 the dean Of the countrys lit
erary profession.
Il have travelled from Washington
here 10 do honor 10 the greatest living
American writer and novelist" said
President Taft, who was received with
cheers and applause. Easily at the
head of the living literary men Of he
nation. Mr.. Howells is entitled. on This
the celebration of his seventy-fifth birth
day. to this tribute Of respect"
There was an atmosphere OF warmth
and intimacy quite distinct from the
formality Of similar affairs. Through
out the dinner Mr. Howells received
concentrations and exchanged greetings
with the mon and women who came to
pay respe.I To- him.
The President arrived after the recep-
tion which preceded the dinner. His
entry was the signal for an outburst of
applause. and when Colonel Harvey in
troduccd him as the first speaker the
diners gave him an ovation.
Turning toward Mr. Howells in in
PRODUCING the President. Colonel Harvey
SAID:
"Thn first realization that springs from
a glance AT your birthday party. sir. is
that Of vCur own amazing versatility
one needs only 10 recall the titles Of
yorr books To paint the picture. The
unique gathering itself, for example,
might he designated with eXaCtitude as
a Modern Instance You find yourself
primarily among Literary Friends and
Acqututarces. Behold. sir. with graft
fcation and delight, the Heroines OF
Fiction and rest assured that not one
is a Counterfeit Presentment.
He then reminded Mr.. Howells that
he hal heeun his career as native OF
ohio. and. AS a statesman from Ohio. he
naturally Craved the delight Of sympa-
thetic ccmradcship upon an occasion
like this And so the Chief Magistrate
of the country had promised 10 come,
and had kept his word. Colonel Harvey
then Introduced President Taft as d
Chief Magistrate who was the embodi-
merit of truth, Of sagacity, of moral
courage. Of benignity. of leniency and OF
Justice" President Taft said:
| have travelled from Washington here
"a do honor To the greatest living American
writer and novelist | have done this be-
cause of the personal debt | feel for the
Measure he has given me In what he has
written in the pictures OF American life
and society and character he has painted,
and with which have had sufficient famil-
iarity to know the truth and the delicacy
of his touch. Neither the rhythm nor the
emphasis nor the shading OF his mean
ing has robbed his style OF the lucidity
and clearness that delight prosaic mind
like mine and his delightful and kindly
has created a feeling OF afection for the
author that prompts an expression like this.
Easily at the head Of the living Literary
mon of the nation. Mr.. Howells is entitled,
On this the celebration Of his sevcnty-fifth
birthday. 10 this tribute of respect.
Like Shakespeare. like Burns, like Lin
coin. Mr.. Howells is not a university man.
but he began his literary education OF HIM
elf uDon a country newspaper at time
.of life when others begin TO prepare for
an academic training and he has continued