The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-05

, filed down the aisleS to their seats, the port of embarkation band played pa- triotic airs.
 The house presented a democratic appearance, with hundreds of men and women In evening clothes mingline with others In plain business dress American and allied flags draped over the balconies were the only decora- tions.
 Seats were provided in the front row on the platform for President Wilson, MT. Taft, Governor Smith, Frank l.. Polk, acting Secretary of State; Abram l. Elkus, former ambassador to Turkey; Cleveland H. Dodge and Alfred E. Mar ling, president of the New York Cham Der of Commerce
 military appearance was given the meeting by the presence on platform of Maj. Gems. David c. Shanks and Thomas Barry and their staffs, and Vice Admiral Albert E. Gleaves and Rear Admiral Nathaniel R. Usher and their staffs. Others on the platform included Joseph sP. Tumulty, secretary to the President; former Gov Charles Whit man, former Ambassador Henry Nor genthau, and other distinguished men.
 NO VACANT SEATS
 At o'clock hardly seat was va cant. At that hour the audience joined -heartedly in the singing of pa triotic and popular songs, as it was an nounced no speeches would be delivered until the arrival of President Wilson.
 MT. Taft arrived at the Metropolitan about S:30.
 After Governor Smith and memb CTS of the committee on arrangements had taken their places on the stage mili- tary touch was added by color guard of overseas veterans. who marched to the center and presented colors.
 President Wilson arrived at the opera hause at S:25 o'clock He was accom- panied by Mrs Wilson
 The President went to cloak room, where he met MT. Taft.
 Mrs. Wilson was escorted to a box in the first balcony.
 The President was smiling as he en- tered the door. It was announced he would meet after the meeting a dele gation of Irishmen who wished to pre- sent a petition asking self-determina- ton for their country after the meeting
 The Presidents route from the sta ton to the opera house was changed at the last moment, the party driving in automobiles up Seventh avenue. to Thirty fourth street, and thence up Broadway to the opera house. Large crowds greeted the President at the station and he acknowledged the cheers by tipping his hat and smiling
 APPEAR ARM IN ARM
 The President and MT. Taft came on, the stage arm in arm. They were ap- plauded for several minutes. The audi ence remained standing until the Presi- dent took his seat
 wave of cheers swept over the House as the President and Mir Taft took 4the center Of the platform. The President stepped forward and bowed to all sizes of { hn 1,n1, M, 4l. ward and acknowledged the cheers Cleveland II. Dodge called for three cheers for President Wilson and three more for MT. Taft They were given witt a will. Then some one in the house called for three more cheers for the President, an6 the audience burst forth into another wave of applause.
 Enrico Caruso, introduced by Governor Smith, sang the "Star-Spangled Banner"
 Governor Smith opened his speech by paving tribute to the part the New York soldiers had played in the war.
 The war is not yet won," he said. And will not be until the golden rule is writ ten into the international law of the world.
 He introduced MT. Taft as the man who had worn the purple of the Presi- dent of the Unitesi States and with grace and honor
 
 Taft emerged from the room in which they Conferred and walked through the wings on to the stage, MT. Taft said: 'I don't know on which side of you I should te, Mir. President" He was on the left, and the President smiled and nodded. Mr. Taft was greeted Avith loud hand ciapping. A detail of police stationed at the stage entrance failed to recognize Joseph Yum ulty, the Presidents secretary, when the latter appeared with a dozen members of the presidential party for whom seats had been reserved on the stage. M, T.multy was held up by several 1 natrolmen who crowded back the party. | Eventually a police captain who recog- nized him appeared and the party was l permitted to pass.
 The President smiled broadly when | Mf Taft referred to the resolution in 1 iroduced in the Senate last night by | Senator Lodge proposing rejection of 1 he league of nations constitution as | low drawn.