The Washington herald., 1922-01-16
LEAGUE VITAL
FORCE, WILSON
ASSURES 5000
Has No Anxieties for 1t,
He Tells Admirers Sur
/ rounding Home.
Continued from Page One.


nations is not dead. and whether II
be in four-power treaty or
whether it be in a pact or treaty Of
five, or whether IL be all the ma
tions Of the world. the initial step
has been taken--you blazed the
way, and the league OF nations must
be living organism in our. life"
Touched by Tribute.
Mr.. Wilson was visibly touched.
To Mr.. Gompers he said a simple
Thank you" The crowd set up q
prolonged cheer at the veteran
labor leaders remarks through
which the former President waited,
smiling. but with his hands trem-
bling with emotion.
Few, IL any, in the crowd ex-
pected that the former President
would speak when they left the
mass meeting. However. as the
cheering continued following Mr..
Gomrers remarks. he raised his
hand to indicate that he had some-
thing to say, and almost immedi-
ately quiet was restored
Turning slightly in the direction
OF Mr.. Gompers. he expressed his
opinion regarding the present
status of the league OF nations and
concluded by sayiny.
Voice j. strong.
Mr.. Gompers and my fellow citi-
zens, l need hardly tell you how
much demonstration of friend
ship and confidence makes me feel.
l thank You for all this. 1 do not
deserve it, but enjoy IL neverthe-
less
Although his voice was weak and
wavering when he addressed the
November IL assembly, It was
stronger and clearer yesterday.
despite R slight cold.
As his final words drifted back
over the crowd the demonstration
again broke forth with cheers for
Mr.. Wilson. Americas America" !"
and Long live Woodrow Wilson
Again the cheering broke forth
when Mrs. Wilson, in response t.
calls. stepped to the doorway. Then
came the request that Mr. Wilson
move to the edge of the porch S"
that all might see him. He came
forward. nodding and bowling her.
and there
God bless you" said an elderly
woman, So close that he could hear.
The crowd was still cheering when
Gompers stepped forward and af-
ter saying a word to Mr.. wilson
announced: The President wishes
you a very good night
Remain at House.
Admirers Of the former President
did not depart with his withdrawal
into the house. Several came for
ward to greet Mrs. Wilson. The
demand to see her became insistent.
and In response she retired to a
second-story window. where she
waved to the audience.
In addressing Mr.. Wilson, Mr..
Gompers told him that the people
had come to wish him Sealth,
strength and a long life"
Il have been asked to say a word
on this occasion" he began. I'VE
have not failed to remember you,
sir, or failed in having in our minds
30 address you as Mr.. President" ="
1t Is not necessary now. sir, to
refer to the purpose for which our
great gathering was called togeth-
er," he continued. referring to the
mass meeting. 1T was voluntary in
every respect. Our hopes and actI-
vities will be directed to have the
world understand the principles and
ideals for which Woodrow Wilson
lived, and which will go on and on
and in time will be recognized as
the universal rile of all the world. e"
Mr.. Gompers then referred to the
league OF nations with remarks sim
liar to those which he had stirred
the foundation meeting
Two boxes had been reserved for
the Wilson's and their friends at
the National Theater during the
meeting inauguratinE the Wilson
Memorial Foundation. They de-
clined to occupy them or to at
tend the meeting.
Charles Edward Russell. promj-
nent writer, presided over the
gathering and outlined the purpose
of the fund. laudinC Mr. Wilson for
his far-seeing vision.
More than a score OF wounded
soldiers from Walter Reed Hospi-
tai attended and occupied a re-
served box directly to the left Of
the stage.
On the left side of the stage a
large gold framed and fag-draped
picture of the man whom they
were planning to honor, Woodrow
Wilson, was erected.
The greatest ovation of the af-
ternoon followed the declaration
by Mr.. Gompers that "I have not
changed my view one dot. one iota
from the Justice Of the covenant
of the league, Of nations" Ap-
plause lasted a minute and a half
followed hy cheering. Then finally
every person in the theater rose
and cheered. A similar demonstra
tion followed the declaration by
Mr.. Gompers that This gathering
is the first concrete demonstration
that Woodrow Wilson Is comang
hack. They have tried to cruelty
him. they have wounded him. but
his spirit still lives"
Explains Foundation.
DR.. Samuel T. Eliot, of Boston,
Unitarian minister and son of
Charles A. Eliot. president emeri-
tus Of Harvard University. Hamil-
ton Holt, New York editor and
executive director of the Wilson
Foundation, and Col. John Temple
Graves were other speakers whose
words of praise of Mr.. Wilson
found a hearty response in the
crowd
THE Wilson Foundation has two
objects" said DR.. Eliot. First, to