Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-04-27
NEWSPAPER MEN BANQUET
Novel Features at Associated Press
and Publishers Gathering.
TAFT SPEAKS OVER TELEPHONE
song. Heard Over Wires From Josie
Comins and Al Jolsen and Reel
tation Given by Levi.
waller.

NEW YORK. April 8.-Representative
journalists from all over the country
we're brought together tonight at the
annual banquet OF the Associated Press
and the American Newspaper Publishers
association. held In the ball room OF the
waldorf-Astoria hotel and the entertain
ment provided for them. which was IN
teresting throughout was novel In the
character of some Of Its features.
Tho telephone played a prominent part
In lending both variety and novelty TO
the program. President Taft. though
actually In Boston. addressed the assem-.
bled gathering over the long distance
wires OF the American Telephone and
Telegraph company, his voice being
distinctly conveyed TO each guest by
means Of a receiving instrument In like
manner Premier Borden OF Canada ad.
dressed the guests by long distance tele-
phone from Hot Springs. Va.
Intemingled with these addresses were
songs over the telephone wires from Josie
Comins OF the Winter garden and Al
Jolsen. at the Winter garden. and a
| NnarhCtcT EnSlthuoH py huNts Nhtttf tht
actor. at Days thsater.
The banquet hall was handsomely dec
grated with draped flags. and masses
OF flowers and foliage.
seven Hundred Gucsts.
At the tables were seated more thar
100 guests. those al the table Of honor
including President Frank B. Noyes and
other directors and officers Of the As
ISOLATED Press; President Haldeman Of
the American Newspaper Publishers az.
ISOLATION: President Findley OF the Col.
lege OF New York City; Augustus Thomas
the playwright: TaIcott Williams. head Of
the Pulitzer School Of Journalism Of
Columbia university and DIR. Alexander
Graham Bell and other guests of note
The surrounding galleries and boxe,
were filled with many women In hand
some evening costumes.
II was between the courses OF the ban.
auet that the novel features were inter
spersed. Lively airs from the orchestrs
started the banqusting. The announce.
ment shortly afterwards from Congress
man Victor Murdoek. editor OF tn,
Wichita Eagle who acted as POSTMASTER
that the voices OF President Taft ant
Premier Borden would be heard at sucl
great distances as separated the speaker
from the diners was greeted with enthusi
astlo applause and set the guests TO ex
aiming the apparatus supplied for &C
complaining this feat.
Edison Honored.
A demonstration Of cheering by the
diners and enthusiastic waving OF hand.
kerchIefs by the women in the gallery
broke out when the POSTMASTER intro.
duced Thomas A. Edison as 'Ths First
! American"
Mr.. Edison win not make q speech. ~
said Mr. Murdoch. but want the mem.
bers Of the Associated Press to know
him. propose a rising toast to Thomas
A. Edison, the first American" AS the
venerable inventor acknowledged the
toast with a bow cheers broke out afresh.
Aa the inventor OF the telephone. who
had made tonights long distance enter.
taInment possible. and az the man who
had made the deaf hear, DR.. Alexander
Graham Bell was introduced. Lake his
brother inventor. he did not speak. but
arose to acknowledge an enthusiastic
rising tosst.
President Bruce Haldeman Of the
American Newspaper Publishers associa'
ton was the first OF the evenings
speakers. He referred TO the fact that
Major Archibald Butts was a guest OF
honor At the banquet a year ago. and
paid feeling tribute to the president $
former aide and to all heroes of the
Titanic" for whom he proposed a rising,
silent toast. The toast was given with
all reverence.
Taft's Address Appiauded.
President Tafts address came over the
wires at this tuneture. 1t was received
with great applause and laughter.
When the president asked, do you
hearT'' the entire telephone audience an
swered, Yes" although II was said that
the president could not have heard the
answer at his end Of the wire
Mr.. Tafts humorous declarations that
the safety OF the country lies In the
fact that you neutralirs each other" and
that the truth lies not In you bur be-
tween you caused a roar Of laughter.
ToaStmaster Murdoch before introduc-