Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-29
UNION LEAGUE
MOURNS DEATH
OF WIN. I. TILDEN
Employees Feel Keenly Loss
of Former President,
Who Had Respect and
Affection of All Under
Him.

Death drew veil Of mourning over
the Union League today. In second
after the announcement had been re-
ceived that william T. Tilden. the
leagues former president. had died.
whispering voices took the stunning mes
sage from basement to garret Faces
Of the scores Of employees that had been
wreathed in smiles with the newborn
day quickly changed and oadness was
written on every brow, And 1t was with
broken voices that Mr. Tllden's passing
was discussed by old men and young
Their eyes were dimmed with tears they
did not try to restrain.
Silence, solemn, painful silence reigned
through the massive building where for
years Mr. Tilden had ruled with a kind
and fatherly hand superlntendents.
doormen, walters. all the workers in the
famous old institution. uptoed through
the luxurious rooms and apartments and
through the marble halls. II was as IL
death had called their beloved father
that the employees of the clubhouse re-
| ceived the news. And withal came the
old members, friends for years of MIR.
Tilden, who pondered over the great
| loss.
Indeed, II is the loss Of father that
the league mourns, for. as one OF the old
est employees put II, Mr. Tilden was
fhe father Of the house for years" He
was proud of the Union League He
loved 1t. Never during the last dozen
years would he allow any opportunity to
pass that would add to its dignity and
| fame. When as a boy for the first time
young Tilden walked through Broad
street and passed the handsome, yet sim
pie. structure, he often told how he had
born within him the desire to become its
head And, never did the desire abate un-
I'll he had gained that enviable position.
EMPLOYEES FEEL SORRY.
Surely, to no member of the great or
ganiSation did his death bring more grief
than to those men who had worked un-
der him for many years. And there was
not worker from the engine room to the
attic, to whom his demise brought no
| sadness, For he knew every one of the
men and called him by his first name.
Each morning the workers awaited his
CHEEKY greeting, and his smile was 20
them an inspiration and delight.
AS soon as the message had been re-
ceived from the hospital that the leader
was no more superintendent William F..
Homiller called the old employees on the
telephone and gave them the sad news.
One OF the first men to be told was Joe
Gregory, Tor years stationed at the en-
trance as head doorman, now night super
intendent He also called James Hughes,
who succeeded Joe at the door, and
James Rawlings, the oldest employe of
the league. To each, although expected
for several days, the news came as a
terrible shock To them, as to workers
In the building, Mr., Tlldens death was
personal loss Not only had he been
their respected director but he was truly
their friend.
No member of the league was to be
found SO regularly in the halls as was
Mr.. Tilden. From the time he became a
member OF the board Of directors 12 years
ago until he was taken i'll, he was con-
stantly mlngling withathe workers. And
he found some OF his keenest enjoyment
in his association with them,
Frequently he had said that so long al
the employees were loyal 10 the linn
League its success was assured, and hC
was always anxious to please the men
to have them take pride in their wo-s
and to keep them continually pleased with
their Jobs. They knew that he was al
ways for fair play, and his efforts Il
have a regular system of promotion II
operation pleased them greatly The i0
men employed In the big institution knew
this, and there was nothing they woulc
not do to show their appreciation and
their respect.
During Ave or six years before he wal
chosen president i'm 1912 while chairman
of the House Committee, Mr. Tilden de-