Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-06
President Taft
 Moved to Tears
BROKE DOWN WHILE SPEAKING
 OF MAJOR BUTT
AT MEMORIAL SERVICE
Forced to Abruptly Close His Tribute
 Masonic Brothers and Prominent
 Citizens Participate at Washington.

Washington, May 1.-The life of Major Archibald w. Butt, as a soldier, newspaper man, aide to Presidents and lodge member, and his heroic death on the Titanic, were commemorated by his commander -in- chief-a president; "a secretary of war, a senator of his native state, a contemporary in the newspaper field and the fraternity of Masonry at an impressive memorial service here today.
 President Taft's Tribute.
 The tribute President Taft paid to his late aide, epitomized all that was said:
 Everybody knew Archie as Archie" said the president T cannot go into @ box in a theatre; l cannot turn around in my room-I can't go any where without expecting to see his smiling face or to hear his cheerful voice in greeting. The life of the president is rather isolated and those appointed to live with him come much closer to him than any one else. The bond is very close and it is difficult to speak on such an occasion.
 Simple and Straightforward.
 Archie Butts character was single, simple, straightforward and in- capable of intrigue A clean sense of humor lighted his life and those about him. Life was not for him a troubled problem. He was soldier, and when he was appointed to serve another, to that other he rendered implicit loyalty. l never knew a man who had so much self abnegation, so much self conf dence as Archie Butt.
 Natural For Him to Help Others. occasions like the sinking of the ! Titanic frequently develop unforeseen traits in men. It makes them heroes when you don't expect it. But with Archie it was just as natural for him to help those about him as it was for him to ask me to permit him to do something for some one for me. He was on the deck of the Titanic | exactly what he was everywhere. He 1 leaves void with those who loved 1 him but the circumstances of his go- | ing are all what we would have had, | and, while the tears fill the eyes and 1 the voice is choked, we are felicitated | by the memory of what he wa1"
 President Breaks Down.
 President Taft spoke with difficulty | and he was forced to an abrupt ending | by failure of voice and a steady flow l of tears. Beside Mrs. Taft sat MT. and Mrs. Lewis Butt of Augusta, Ga. Op- | posite them sat Secretary Wilson | Secretary Meyer and other prominent 1 officials. Senator Bacon sat with the i members of the Georgia delegation in l congress and throughout the meeting | place were statesmen. soldiers and ! friends of the dead officer. Templar | Lodge No. 32 of the Masonic frater- nity was seated with the speakers.
 Other Tributes.
 Secretary Stimson recounted MajoI Butts military career and described his heroic conduct on the Titanic.
 Senator Holle Smith of Georgia, whc once employed Major Butt as a Wash | ington correspondent and knew him as man and boy, spoke feelingly of hi. | associations.
 Edward c. Snyder a Washington i newspaper man, spoke of Major Butt, activity in the newspaper field anC quoted a tribute written by Henry Watterson, a former employer of tht presidents aide.
 Carter B. Keene, master of MAjol Butts lodge, also spoke.
 Marine Band Assists.
 During the service the marine bant assisted by choir gave a programm of appropriate music.