Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-24
PEACE NEARAT HAND TAFT'S LAST WEEK
President Begins 1t by Receiv-
ing Many Visitors.
CAPT. HUTCHINSON GALES
One of Few Living Witnesses to Lin.
coins ASsassination-G. A. R.
Veterans Thank Executive.

President Taft's last full week in the
White Hous. began today with the re-
ception of a large number of callers,
many OF them accompanied by senators
and representatives. After these he re-
ceived many visitors having appointments
and wishing to discuss various subjects.
Representatives Kahn and Hayes of
California urged the President to direct
the War Department to issue d permit
allowing the waters of Hetch-Hetchy val
ley TO be used for domestic purposes in
San Francisco and neighborinS cities and
towns This old and vitality important
subject to San Francisco has been drag
Sins along for years. with hot fight for
and against the granting of the permit
asked for Secretary Fisher some weeks
ago granted a long hearing to San Fran
cisco people. who declared that the pres
ent water supply of San Francisco is SO
low as to be a menace and that some
thing must be done to increase 1t. The
President said he feared he would not
be able to give the matter full consldera-
ton before the close of his term.
Saw Lincoln Killed.
Capt. John w Hutchinson OF the de-
one ofsthe few living witnesses to the
assassination of President Lincoln, paid
his respects to President Taft today.
was an officer in the 18th New YORK Cav
airy" said Capt Hutchinson. Il had been
in L:bbev prison, at Richmond, and Feb
ruary 10 Washington's birthday, was one
of a number o. officers exchanged. get,
ting his freedom. 1 Immediately reJolhed
my regiment. which was camped at the
see the show at Ford's Theater with an
other officer and we We're near the CEN
ter of the orchestra. We saw Booth shoot
and then run to make his escape we
drew our pistols to attempt TO stop nun,
but he got out of sight before we could
shoot. We rushed to the alley in the
rear of the theate- being about the FIRST
persons 10 reach there. We saw woman
with her head hanging out of a window
She told us Booth had escaped on the
horse he had waiting.
Thanked by the G. A. r.
Alfred E. Beers. commander-in-chief of
the G. A r., and Henry ]. Seeley of
Bridgeport. Conn. adjutant general of
the organization. called on President Taft
today to present to him resolutions
adopted at the last encampment of the
orga nization thanking him for his friend
" attitude to the old soldisrs through
out his administration. Commander-in-
chief Beers told the President that the
veterans everywhere have a most kind
ly feeling for him and that when he
leaves office he will go into retirement
with the love and esteem of the veterans
In all parts of the world. The President
said that il gave him the greatest pleas
ure TO receive these tokens of good Will
from tine veterans.
Lord Leigh of Stonleigh Abbey. Eng
land. paid his respects to the President.
He was accompanied by his daughter.
They on their way to Jamaica, Pana-
ma and cher points south.
Representatives Ellerbe and Byrnes OF
South Carolina and other members OF
Congress talked with the President today
about the customs reorganization plan
pending before him. He told his visitors
that he had not read a line of the pro-
posed plan. but hoped to be able to know
more about it and his own intentions in
regard to it in the next two or three days. |