Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-02-21
PRESIDENT TAF I
HONORED VISITOR
Reaches Here This After
noon at 3 O'clock to
Attend Meeting.
RECEPTION AT TEMPLE
Is Accompanied From Washington
By Grand Masters-Stay in City
VIII be Short One.

For the fourth time during his four
year occupancy Of the White House
William Howard Taft, president of
the United States, paid "a visit to
Alexandria today and was given roy
al reception by the people fthis city
who are much attached to him on ac-
count Of his many acts Of consideration
which he has always shown to any
project in which Alexandra was in
terested.
The Presidents first trip was in
1908, when he visited here during
homecoming week and spoke at the
laying Of the corner stone OF
the Washington Monument on
Shooters Hill. Two years later he
attended the. banquet of Alexandria
Washington Lodge given at the Ar
mory where he made speech. Last
year he came to Alexandria on Wash
ington's birthday and joined with his
Masonic brethren or a trip to Noun.
Vernon where wreath was laid on
the tomb of Washington
His visiI here was again con-
nested with Masonic matters, as he
came to attend the meeting Of the
George Washington Masonic Memorial
Association of which he is the patron.
President Taft was elected to this po-
sition last year, as ne mas shown
greag interest in the movement ever
since it was brought to his attention.
lie was among the first to become a
life member, sending his contribution
Of 500 towards the fund through
James NJ. Lamberton, vice presidenG
Of the association.
The car "Mt. Vernon" left Wash
ington at 2:50 and made the run to
in 30 minutes. In the
Presidential party were Hon. Charles
c. Carlin, congressman Of the eighth
District; Mayor Thomas 4. Fisher,
of Alexandria, Samuel W. Pitts, mas
ter of Observation-Disclosures Lodge,
Clarence P. King, president Of the
Electric car lines, F. H.
Treat, president of the Washington
Utilities Company, William 3. MIC
Chesney, past grand master of Vir-
ginia, w. L. Gor@as, grand master of
Pennsylvania, J. J. Mansfield, grand
master Of Texas, and Charles c. Ho-
mer, jr., deputy grand master of
Maryland.
On arrival in Alexandria the
President and his party left the car
near the cornor of King and Royal
streets, where automobiles were in
waiting to take them to the Masonic
Temple. There was large crowd of
people on hand to witness the
arrival, but there was no great
deal of enthusiasm exhibited on the
streets.
On arrival in the lodge room the
President was greeted by Grand
Master Shryock in a few words to
which he made very happy reply.
After thanking the members for
their cordial greeting he said that
he was attending the meeting with
a great deal Of pleasure because he
hoped his coming would help the me-
mortal proposition. He spoke of the
life of Washington and declared that
the more we studied his life the
deeper is the impression made upon
US of the duty that we owe to him.
He discussed tn qualifications that
made Washington what he was and
said that while he was not great
lawyer or a statesman, he was
of such character that all
men recognized In him the SIN
cerity of his purpose, his common
sense and the courage and persist
ency that made him leader.
The President spoke of the little
weaknesses of Washington which
brou chit him nearer TO us but said that
he was no "mollycoddle." In conclus-
ion Mr.. Taft said that we ought to be
proud of him as the leading first
Mason and that the association should
receive the heartiest support of all
! Free Mason. 81 am here today, said
Mr.. Taft, "to show BY my presence
Ihow much | sympsthlze with You in