New-York tribune., 1921-05-24

when President Taft did me the honor
OF asking me to present his name to
the convention Of the Republican party.
Nominates Ahead of Schedule
Il think it was the confusion of
turbulence of the moment, that caused
me to mention his name before | had
hnlshed my nominating speech.
If had been as sly then as ! ought
to be now, would have let nv sneech
end there, but had prepared it lovingly
and was anxious to deliver all of it.
turned to the presiding officer of that
convention lit was Mr.. Root and l
SAID: Isn't there some way we can
stop this demonstration?
he looked at me with horror and
:, %, my God, man, do you want to stop
Both Mr.. Root and Mr.. Taft chuckled
appreciatively
"i'll make an admission" said Mr..
harding. II was once student of
political science and if l knew as much
now as / though I knew when | was
nineteen, I'd be the greatest President
th!s country ever had"
before the President and Mrs. Har-
dlng left the Astor they were shown the
Ohrlstus de Profundis,'' B carving of
the head of Christ on a Florida bean.
made by an unidentified Honduran
prisoner. The carving was brought
from Aeolian Hall, where it is on ex
h!oitIon daily, by it's owner, Mrs. H.
Willis McFadden.
1t was $3.50 o'clock when the Presi-
dent left the Hotel Astor and started
for Brooklyn to review the 23d Regi-
ment of the New York National Guard
which fought overseas in the 9th Di.
vision as the 106th Infantry.
A heavy rain was falling as the ma
chimes left the hotel; nevertheless the
streets were crowded. Fifth Avenue
was lined with people and from Forty
fourth Street to Ninth Street the
President was cheered by folk who
peered at him from beneath umbrellas.
Italians, Chinese and Ghetto dwellers
all had a chance to wave a friendly
hand at their President and then his
car crossed the Bowery and sped
swiftly over Manhattan Bridge. At the
other end of the bridge began a lane
of school children that was almost un-
broken in spite Of the rain throughout
the journey to the Twenty Regi-
ment Armory in Bedford Avenue.
II didn't dream there were so many
children in all the Republic" ex-
claimed Mr.. Harding after thousands
and thousands of the youngsters had
striven each to attract the Presidential
ear with shrill shout or the Presi-
Dental eye with waving flag.
Review Waits for Reception
At the armory there was a reception
for many fortunate residents of
Brooklyn, and to the men of the reei-
mcnt, who rested first on one leg and
IA: L.
the drill hall to be reviewed, it must
have seemed an age instead of merely
an hour or so. Finally they stacked
arms and sat down. To the spectators,
grown impatient. it seemed that they
were bivouacked for the night
Then there was a rattle Of rifles
brought to present" at the door. A
spotlight was directed there The
crowd craned necks and stood up.
Mayor Hylan entered. There was mild
applause, diluted with a few groans.
1t was after 6 O'Clock before the Presi-
dent reviewed the regiment and made
a short talk to the men
Il am grateful for this opportunity
TO see something of the training Of
this wonderful organizations" he said.
Il felt new security for the Republic
when / sensed the skill of this volun-
tary military organization. I'd ioin
you in pride if lived in Brooklyn.
This morning 1 saw 5000 soldier
dead and ever since I have had a
prayer in my heart that ours shall be a
nation so righteous and just that weYI
never be called TO war again. But if
you are called only ask that your
achievements shall equal those Of the
glorious history OF your regiment"
The streets were still lined with
thousands of people when the Presi- |
dent was whisked back to Manhattan
to the Hotel Commodore to dress for
reception there that was followed bv
the anniversary dinner Of The New
York Commercial.
1900 Hear Anniversary Address
There were more than 1900 persons
at the anniversary dinner in the Com !
modore. The ballroom was brilliantly
decorated, walls, ceiling and balconies
being draped with American flags, |
Flags also adorned the tables. The |
balconies were filled with women.
President Harding was given a TIRE. |
mendous ovation when he entered. the |
entire assemblage standing for five |
r. A. c. Smith, former Com |