New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-10
HERRICK ASSERTS
BOOM Is ABSURD
EX-Ambassador, Back from
Paris, Gets Stirring
Welcome Home.
DECLARES HE SEEKS
NO POLITICAL GAIN
French Bestow Grand Cross
Ohio Men Keep Up Cry of
"Our Next President"

Myron I. Herrick, until recently Am
bassador to France, received an enthu-
siastic welcome home when he stepped
ashore from the Rochambeau, of the
French Line, yesterday morning. Be-
sides a special delegation of fifty prom
inent Ohio men more than 500 mem
bers of the Ohio Society of New York
were on hand to show their apprecia-
ton of Mr. Herrick's record abroad.
At the pier the ex-ambassador was
met by Mayor Mitchell and other city
officials. He went at once to the re-
ception room, where a large gathering
OF men and women awaited him. The
reception was arranged by X. A. c.
Smith, Dock Commissioner. and Paul
Faguet. agent of the Compagnie Cen
erale Transatlantique.
At Quarantine the ROchambeau was
met by Parmelee Herrick. Mr.. Her
rick's son; Colgate Hoyt, William II.
Truesdale. Ralph y. Wallace, W. L.
Ohmar. Commissioner Smith and Dan
rel o. Sprague. acting Collector of the
Port and Dudley Field Maone's per-
sonal representative.
Mr.. Herrick appeared on deck, nc
companied by Mrs. Herrick. He was in
an excellent mood and talked with ami
nation Of almost everything except the
war and politics. He dismissed the
suggestion that he might become a
Presidential candidate by saying:
That is absurd. | do not intend to
capitalize any credit that may be mine
as the result Of my work in France dur
ing the war. | won't talk politics, be-
cause | have not had time 10 think Of
American politics. shall go home at
once and then to Washington"
Nevertheless, all day yesterday moth
ing doomed up higher than the indica-
tons Of a Presidential boom for Mr..
Herrick among the members of the
Ohio Society, who thronged the corri-
doris OF the Waldorf, where Mr.. Her
rick went from the pier.
One subject which Mr.. Herrick was
willing to discuss at length was that Of
the attitude of the United States tow
ara the sufferers in Europe. He praised
the Americans for their generosity in
sending assistance to the destitute and
dwelt upon the advantages of the
American relief clearing house which
has been established in Paris to handle
the WORK Of distributing supplies and
money.
"The headquarters are in the house
in which I lived for three years" he
said. at is owned by Count Girard dc
Ganny and located az Rue Francois /.
At my suggestion the count turned IL
over 20 the clearing house for three
years without rent.
He mentioned the work of the Sc
cOurs Rationale, a relief organization
IN Paris, and referred TO the enterprise
Of Mile. Jeanne GOurlet, who came
over on the Rochambeau with several
hundred dolls dressed in the latest
Partisan modes. These will be sold
here and the proceeds turned over to
the organization.
Just before landing Mr.. Herrick was
notified by cable that the Grand Cross
OF the Legion Of Honor had been be-
slowed upon him by the French govern
ment in recognition Of his services. The
cross is now on the way to America.
Captain Dumont Of the Rochambeau
assembled the passengers in the main
saloon and, summoning Mr.. Herrick,
presented him with the Premier Acco-
lade" conservation Of the Legion of
Honor, as recipient of the Grand Cross.
As he left the dock Mr.. Herriek
handed a package to Philip J. Roose-
Welt a cousin of the former President
and a ship news reporter. IL was adj
dressed to Theodore Roosevelt and Is
supposed to contain an engrossed
parchment copy of an address deliv-
cred by the Colonel before the Sor-
bonnie in 1910.
Cleveland, Dec. 9-Cleveland is pre-
pairing TO welcome home Myron I. Her
rick with one of the greatest demon
STATIONS ever accorded a citizen. The
retiring ambassador will be met on his
arrival at 9:15 o'clock in the morning
by a municipal executive committee
and escorted 10 his home, in Overlook
Road.
A monster public reception at Cen
trial Armory in the afternoon will be
attended by $500 citizens, the capacity
Of the hall, it is expected. Colonel
Herrick will be escorted from his home
10 the armory by the municipal com
mittee and a platoon Of mounted po