Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-02
RICK ISLAND MAN
CAUSE OF WILSON
MAKING ADDRESS
n. r A. Smiths Persistent Efforts
,rapces President to Speak in
Davenport
cpraTEST RECEPTION is HERE
VIC, Enthusiastic and DemOnstratiye
al Entire Trip From Chicago
10 Des MOines.

noubtless the thousands who heard
PRESIDENT Woodrow Wilson speak in
davenport yesterday afternoon were
mi aware of the fact that had it not
-, for Rock Island man, oppor-
unity Of listening to the nations
,siet discuss the need of prepared
ness might not have been afforded.
nr. F. A. Smith, medical examiner
,or the Modern Woodmen. was the
wan whose constant urging Of the
-o.ed visitor to address the crowd, re-
mlted in the speech.
Entire police force Of Davenport,
10Th day and night, guarded the en-
rance 10 the Rock Island depot and
rouId not allow any to go to the
nlatform except newspaper men hay-
ipg properly signed passes and travel
ers.
Shout for Wilson.
When the special steamed in at
MI there was an instant hurrah.
vor an instant no one appeared on the
rear platform. Finally Secretary ].
p. Tumulty opened the door and
stepped to the railing. where's Will
son." shouted the crowd.
Again the door swung open and the
president appeared. He was greeted
with cheers.
No attempt was made to introduce
the president. He stood smiling and
bowling to the crowd One over-anx-
ious enthusiast kept sticking his hand
no TO get a hand-shake and Mr.. Will
son shook it.
Mayor Alfred Mueller and other dig
nitaries in attendance, seemed to hest
tate. There was need for someone to
Jumped into the breach and inform the
DISTINGUISHED visitor that the people
had come, some of them for miles, to
hear the nations head explain his rea-
sons for advocating plan for nation
al defense.
81 have had beautiful weather on
this trip" Wilson commented, while
the crowd kept murmuring for the ad-
dress to start.
Smith Wins Point.
q wish I had voice enough to make
this magnificent crowd hear" Chatted
the president to those near him.
TRY it, Mr. President, l am sure
the people will appreciate it," urged
an insistent voice just in front Of the
president. 1t was DR.. Smith who had
taken the reins in his own hands.
The president smiled He seemed
grateful that the exercises were begin
ming to take some definite shape.
Where's the wife" shouted one.
"She hasn't as much cheek as
have" laughed back the president and
made no move toward bringing the
first lady of the land out.
The president thereupOn expressed
his appreciation that SO many had
braved the chill of the atmosphere to
come out to greet him and thereupon
proceeded with his speech outlined in
last evenings Argus. The president
was still speaking as the train moved
out OF the Davenport station.
Hon. William McEniry, who person
ally knew Secretary Tumulty, and DR.
Smith, boarded the presidents special
here and rode to Davenport, which
gave DR.. Smith the opportunity Of in
Producing the president to the Daven-
port people, although not formally Sc
lected for this important duty.
Hearty Welcome.
The reception which the city OF
Rock Island gave President Wilson
was one Of the most enthusiastic anG
demonstratiye on the entire tour be,
tween Chicago and Des Moines. L
was certainly the heartiest given IL
Inc three cities. II was non-partisaI
and its informal democratic character
seemed to delight the president partic
liarly. He enjoyed being able to come
IN touch with the people without osten
iation and during the entire time he wa
Aere chatted back and forth good ma
turedly with people in the audience
II was the only place on the entir
UP ne presented Mrs. Wilson to tn
people
The presence OF the students OF Au
gustana college and the high schoo
gave him particular delight and h