Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-23
YIELDS THE SPADE
WITH SKILLED HAND
Former President Taft ShoveIs
SpadefuI of Dirt for Each
of His Years.
PLANTS YOUNG OAK TREE
AS A REMINDER OF VISIT
Ceremonies on Lawn at Chevy Chase
Club With Prominent Society
People as Witnesses.

'Now let me have that spade Seiz-
Ing that implement OF husba ndry, as he
spoke those words yesterday after
noon, William Howard Taft, former
President of the United States and
ubiquitous peripatetic golf ,ievotee, in
dustriously shGveied tifty-seven spade
fuls of earth, enc for each year of his
life, about a young white oak tree on
the lawn at the Chevy Chase Club
Its easy as burying a politician
he calculated as he warmed to the job.
The more than 800 guests of the club
approved with ripple of laughter.
And still he kept on throwing the dirt
around the five-foot tree. why. I'm
in good physical condition" he expos
tuIated when the club officers suggest
ed that he desist from the arduous
labors-
There, I guess it will stand all right
now" he said, when he had counted
off spadeful for each year OF his
life. Don't let any politicians come
in here hacking it down..
This tree-planting ceremony took
place yesterday afternoon on the lawn
in front OF the west porch of the Chevy
Chase Club. with an attendance OF
many distinguished men and their
wives, noted as social leaders. Dele-
gates to the convention of the Amerl-
can Bar Association were present as
specially invited guests.
Not the Only Feature.
But the tree-planting ceremony occu-
pied only a fraction of the very jolly
hour the former President spent on the
club lawn, overlooking the famous golf
course, where he was such a familiar
figure during his term in the White
House.
why hello, DIR. Wiley, how's the
was the CHEEKY greeting begun by Mr..
Taft, addressing the former pure food
chief. with whom he had notable diff
ference of opinion several years ago.
The doctor anticipated the rest of the
inquiry. explaining that Baby Wiley is
growing more like his father every
day And as he went away boasting
There's two of them now, Mr.. Taft
called further congratulations.
Sandwiched in among inquiries as to
his health and how he'd like to be back
in Washington. Mr.. Taft was kept busy
assuring club members ard friends that
he certainly had not forgotten them,
and advising some of them how to bet
ter their golf game.
Let's see, you're Princeton 'S4," he
said to big athletic man: I'm farther
back; I'm rs, but l remember. all right,
how went from Yale up to Princeton
in rs and stole a base ball game and
nearly got mobbed.
he beamed upon the short, stocky little
naval officer, who's round, shiny face lit
up like sehoolboy's- And SO it went
for more than an hour, Mr.. Taft recall
ing golfing incidents, dinner at the
University Club four nights before he
left the White House, asking for rapid
1y growing children, etc.
Mr.. Taft was escorted to the club by
Thomas Hyde, its president. He was
accompanied by Mrs. Taft and Mrs. A.
G. McClintock. A platform had been
erected on the lawn shaded by large
umbrellas. Upon the platform with
Mrs. Taft and Mrs. McClintock were
Mr.. Hyde. James H. Hayden, secretary
of the club. and Alexander Britton,
chairman of the executive committee.
Tree in Full Foliage.
The young tree was in full foliage
and brilliant coloring. With the gray
stone facade of the clubhouse as a
background. the group of handsomely
gowned women and their escorts made
a pretty picture as they deserted the
bridge tables. the links and tennis
courts and gathered around the tree
and Mr.. Taft. Music was furnished by
an orchestra of six pieces stationed on
the piazza.
Secretary Hayden, as spokesman for
the club. explained the purpose in in
viting Mr.. Taft to plant the tree as the
revival of an old custom for a dis
tinguished guest to the city to leave a
lasting reminder of his visit. He re-
called the whole-souled enjoyment OF
Mr.. Taft on the links and the greater
enjoyment of the club privileges that
his presence had given the other mem
bers.
Mr.. Taft thanked the members of the
club for the honor they had done him.
and declared he was happy upon his
return to Washington to find that he
had not been forgotten by his asso-
ciates while here.
doing vast amount of work for which
it is not given credit" His remark
that the expansive grounds offer "a
safety valve to politicians who cannot
give expression to their sudden emo
lions in public places" brought a.
chorus of laughter.
II am glad to accept your invitation
to turn horticulturist," he said, land
leave some lasting impression in
Washington"
List of Participants.
Mrs. Taft wore smart afternoon
costume of blue velvet with a small
hat of the same shade Among those
who participated in the ceremony and
reception that followed We're Mrs. Van
Devanter, wife of Associate Justice
Van Devanter. Admiral and Mrs. Ed
ward II Gheen, Mrs. James T. Mann.
crnENIlr nkTnnnsj I