The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-24
CHEER FOR WILSON
Great Crowds Out to Greet Him
at Boston Today.
Returned Home Looking Fine
and in Good Spirits.

a.
The biggest roof in Boston stretched
over the holders of tickets for the
first adde's of President Wilson after
his return from the peace conference
today. Out of some 1 so, 1000, who had
thought it worth while to chance a
formal application in the hope that
their requests for admission might be
honored, 5000 gained admission to
Mechanics Hall. OF these two thou
sand stood in the second balcony,
which is not provided with seats.
The crowd had waited an hour and
half Outside thousands lined the
curbs on Huntington avenue, from
Massachusetts, avenue to Copley
square, for a glimpse of the president
as his car made its way slowly to the
hall from the hotel, where he had had
luncheon. The police, reinforced by
the military, kept a path open for
the presidential party.
Bands Play For Hour.
For an hour before the president
arrived the combined bands of the
Commonwealth pier and the Harvard
radio school, entertained the audience.
Decorations, with the national colorS
remaining from a peace jubilee fete
OIL Saturday night, concealed the walls
and ceilings. The platform was flank
ed with pictures of the president and
Lincoln, and of Roosevelt and Wash
ington.
A sounding board that was con-
structed to aid the voice of Colonel
Roosevelt. when he made his last
speech in this city, was used again to-
day with good effect. Those for whom
seats were reserved on the platform
included Ambassador David r. Fran
els, Maj. Cen Clarence r. Edwards,
Rear Admiral Spencer S. Wood,
Bishop William Lawrence, William
Cardinal O'Connell, Assistant Secre-
tary of the Navy Franklin D. Roose-
welt, Secretary Tumulty. Raymond T.
Baker, director of the mint. Governor
John w. Barnett of New Hampshire,
Governor Milliken of Maine, and Con-
gresham Guy T. delivering of Kansas,
Patrick D. Norton of North Dakota.
George White of Ohio, and Charles C.
Carlin of Virginia.
Wilson at Hall at 2:3O.
President Wilson arrived at the hall
at 2:30 o'clock. He entered at the
West Newton street entrance. which
led to the stage. AS his party reached
the outer door a battery in the railway
yards at the rear of the hall fired a
presidential salute of twenty-one guns.
Inside the hall the bank struck up,
Hail to the Chief
Preliminaries Brief
The preliminaries were brief. John
Mccormack sand the Star Spangled
Banner and the president applauded.
mayor refers We1COn6Q the guest IN
the name of the city and Governor
Coolidge extended the greetings of the
commonWeal Mayor Peters said
that Boston rejoiced at the opportun-
ity to receive one who had been a
leader in the deliberations of the ma
lions of the earth. 1t was the presi-
dents voice which had prevailed at
the peace conference. he said, because
you almost alone is the spokesman of
this distinguished republic could
l,aIA 4 ,aJx ictn nf1 fOT- a
lasting peace and for a punishment
that did not preclude the hope of I'LL
innate reconciliation"
The president was escorted to prt-
vate room at the right of the platform
and a moment later appeared on the
stage. The thousands who had found
seats rose. cheering and waving flags.
The roar from the audience drowned
the music of the band
The president sat down but rose to-
bow and smile. The demonstration
continued and Mr.. Wilson again rose
aud this time waved his acknowledge
ment. The applause lasted two min
utes.
Returning to American soil from his
history making mission abroad, the
president accompanied by Mrs. Wilson,
was transferred in the lower harbor
from the steamship George Washing
ton and escorted by aircraft, sub
| marine chasers, torpedo boat Destroy
ers and a flotilla of committee boats,
reaching the landing place on board
| the naval cutter Ossipee.
He Had Good Trip.
The president looked as tho the
| journey had agreed with him physical
| ly. He appeared vigorous and alert,
/ his step was brisk and his features
| showed rather more than a trace of
sea tan. Cheers from the throng
| assembled at Commonwealth pier
| greeted him as he stepped ashore. In
| the great shed of the pier built by
| the state and taken over by the navy
| department during the war, as hous-
| ing place for recruits. there were
| assembled hundreds of state and city
| officials, legislators, representatives
of the federal government and a COM
mittee of women appointed to receive
| Mrs. Wilson
| President Wilson's reception in
those who travelled with him thru
7 Europe as being fully as demonstra-
tive as any he received in England,
France or Italy.
| Fifty Officers in Guard.
| Fifty senior officers of the army,
navy and state guard. in command of
| Col. Thomas w. Griffith, formed the
| guard of honor at the pier They
stood in a double line on the lower
| deck of the pier and President Wilson
and his party passed thru their ranks
as he stepped ashore. After Saluting,
| they proceeded with the party thru a
flag-decorated canvas passage and
| then by elevators to the street floor,
where the main welcoming throng was
| waiting.
The reception was of an informal
character, Mayor Peters, at whose in
vitation the president chose Boston as
his homecoming port. making the
| presentations. Prominent among
| those who came with the president
from France and disembarked with
him here were David r. Francis, am
bassador to Russia; Assistant Secre-
| tary of the Navy Franklin D. -Roose-
welt and Mrs. Roosevelt, and Rear Ad-
miral Cary T. Grayson, the presidents
| physician.
| Half an Hour in Greetings