Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1913-03-07
TAFT'S LAST DAY BUSY
Eds FAREWELL TO HIS MANY
FRlENS5TM WASHINGTON.
Ex-Presdent Goes to Augusta, Ga,
Where He Will Enjoy Himself
for Three Weeks.

Washington, ID. Civilian Howard
Taft's last day in the White House
was one of his busiest. AS a working
day it didn't last more than ten hours,
but it was crowded with unusual
events, full of incidents that fall to
the man who sits in the White House
and crowned with pleasantries.
Bids Friends Farewell.
The president shook hands with sew
eral hundred citizens and officials of
the government; received scores of
kilograms from friends all over the
world; signed his name to pile after
pile of pictures and letters and held
three receptions. He quilted the room
he has occupied for four years in the
executive offices with a smile and
without a backward glance, and with
many pleasant recollection of the
days he has spent there. He met his
old time friends of the Washington
diplomatic corps and the justices of
the supreme court in the White House,
and last of all, he gave his first formal
welcome in that mansion to the presi-
dent-elect and Mrs. Wilson. At night
the president and Mrs. Taft were
guests at a private dinner given by
Miss Mabel Boardman. Altogether, as
Mr.. Taft told visitors, it was one OF
the happiest days of his life, and the
regret he may have had over things
he was unable to accomplish was more
than Offset by the remembrance of the
pleasant paths he has walked.
Receives Wilson and Wife.
The president received the presi-
dent-elect and Mrs. Wilson at o'clock
at night. They came whirling up the
curved driveway to the White House
in a cloud of gray dust, prompt on
the hour Col Spencer Cosby, chief
aid to the president, was their escort
and the president had sent his own
touring car to bring them through the
crowded thoroughfares.
On the bronze seal of the United
States, imbeded deep in the marble
floor of the main hallway, President
Taft was waiting to receive his guests.
He offered his arm to Mrs. Wilson
and escorted the next first lady of
the land" to the quiet of the green
room. Mrs. Taft and Miss HELEN, the
only members of the retiring presi-
dents family in town, came down the
stairway from the private part of the
White House few moments later and
all talked alone.
Before he left his office for the last
time the president shook hands with
the members of the executive office
staff.
Taft and Cabinet Depart.
The ex-president and the majority
of his cabinet left Washington on the
afternoon of March 4 to take up the
various vocations they have elected to
follow after retirement from public
office.
| Mr.. Taft's destination was Augusta,
| Ca, where suite in winter resort
| hotel has been prepared for his party
| at the expense of the municipality.
| A long program of entertainment has
been arranged for the eX-president,
who has fixed upon March 27 as the
| limit of his stay in the south. On
that date Mr.. Taft will leave for New
Haven, Conn.,, where he will take up
his duties as Kent professor of law at
Yale university.
Mr.. Knox said he would do nothing
but play golf for the present, in south
ern California;; Mr.. MacVeagh will
just rest; Mr. Stimson, Mr. Wicker
sham and Mr.. Nagel will resume the
practice of law; Mr.. Meyer will re-
turn to his brokerage business Mr..
Wilson will divide his time between
his Iowa farm and the home of his
daughter in Washington, and Mr..
Hitchcock doesn't know just what will
be his future course in private life.