The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-02
Undergraduate Yale Gives
William II. Taft Big
Ovation
TAFT Is MOVED
BY THE RECEPTION
Famous Smile Vanishes While With
Bared Head Former Chief Execu-
tive Joins in Singing bright
College Years

New Haven, Conn, April t.--Under-
graduate Yale welcomed former President
Taft back to his alma mater today In
manner no less hearty and enthusiasts
tic than was the godspeed given Wood
row Wilson by the Princeton students
when he left Princeton a month ago to
take up the duties at Washington that
Mr.. Taft was about to lay down.
Mr.. Taft is no stranger to New Haven.
having made frequent trips here during
his presidency by virtue of being a menu
ber OF the Yale corporation. but 1t n
doubtful whether he ever received a more
cordial welcome. When 1t became known
that Mr.. Taft had accepted the Kent
professorship of law at Yale. New Ha-
ven was anxious to give him formal
welcome, but 1t was omitted at Mr.. Tafts
request Yale students. however. were
not to be denied their wish to welcome
him back.
Practically the entire student body, 5000
strong, reinforced by band. was at
the station when Mr.. Taft and his party
arrived this afternoon. An equally large
crowd of citizens also was present. As
the Taft party stepped from the train
Captain Spalding, of last years foot
ball team, strode forward and presented
Mrs. Taft with great bouquet of vio-
lets. A moment later Yales famous
frog chorus cheer with nine 'Tafts'
on the end, roared from 5000 throats.
Deeply Moved by Scene
Both Mr.. and Mrs Taft were deeply
moved by the reception. Mr.. Tafts IA
nous smile was lacking for moment
and he wore serious look. AS the den-
onstration grew, however, he smiled
| broadly and doffed his hat in acknowl-
edgment. Headed by the "Y" men OF
the athletic teams and bull dog strain
ing at its LEASH the procession proceeded
to the campus.
Mr. and Mrs. Taft with a delegation
| from the faculty, followed in an automo-
bile. All .alcng the line the ex-President
and Mrs. Taft were given continuous
ovation. Arriving ON the campus, Mr.
| Taft was escorted to balcony ON Me-
mortal hall As he started to speak he
received another great ovation.
| Visibly affected, Mr.. Taft said:
| Men of Yale: You will believe ma
when | tell you that am greatly touched
| by this student reception.
Then with a smile he said:
| when 1t was suggested to me 1 depre-
Gated it and thought 1t might be better
| to defer it until [ took my departure,
but as I hope that may be indefinitely
postponed and as hope that myself and
| Mrs. Taft are to become permanent res
idents of this city and members of th~
! faculty of Yale college, [ thought it was
best to take what was coming to mo
at first.
You may have heard more or less
discussion when President of the United
States are retired--voluntarlly or other
wise-as to what should be done with
them. When 7 took inventory all l had
was somewhat tarnished reputation as
q lawyer, a profession that | had aban-
doned 80 years ago. but at the suggestion
of President Hadley 1t was decided that
what little law | have left might be
put into practice here and I am here
again to become an active Yale man.
Help Young Men
Men Of Yale, as l hear your cheers
and songs l feel young again-as if l
have shed some of my years. All this
may seem egotistieal to you, but come
here wanting to help what little l can
the young men who are going out into
the nation. / want to help preserve that
part of the nation that is worth pre-
serving and without which the nation
cannot exist. If [ can do this | shall
thank God for the opportunity
II am here to work in the ranks with
you ana 10 aiu the pfeSiueHt Oh tHe COZ
lege, who is now away from YOU, but
who is soon coming back In improved
| health. | propose a cheer for Arthur
Hadey"
A long Yale cheer was given with a
will and another for Taft. Then came
the Impressive singing of bright Col
lege Years" Yales song Of songs, with
the assembage standing with barred
heads. Mr. Taft joined in the singing
and waved his hat in unison with the
students with the concluding words, For
God for Country and for Yale"
Mr.. and Mrs. TAFT later went to the
hotel where they are 10 make their home