ROOSEVELT AMONG THE PEOPLE CHAPTER I. WASHINGTON TO CHICAGO. President Roosevelt left Washington at 9:05 a. m., April 1, for a trip across the continent and return, 14,000 miles. He traveled in a special train furnished by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company-one of the finest trains ever run out of Washington. It consisted of six cars-the private car Elysian for the use of the President -and was especially decorated and equipped for the trip, which occupied from April 1 to June 5-nine weeks and three days. The first stop was made at Harrisburg, Pa., where the President was greeted by a large crowd including the members of the Pennsylvania legislature. In a short speech he referred to the prosperity of the State and the country, saying it was due more to the individual skill of labor and capital than to any of his efforts. He left Washington, he said, with a light heart over the magnificent work performed by the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission, whose report would have great power for good. At Altoona the President left his car and got into the engine cab and remained there, to view the scenery around the famous Horseshoe Curve, until the train stopped on the crest of the mountains. Chicago was reached at 8:45 a. m., April 2. The President was received at the Union Depot by Mayor Harrison and a special committee. The train left almost immediately for Evanston, one of the suburbs, where the President was met by Mayor Patten and a committee and was escorted by a detachment of cavalry from Fort Sheridan and a military band to the Northwestern University, the President passing through a lane of school children on the streets and of capped and gowned students on the campus. The welcoming address was made by Dr. Edmund J. James, of the University, who said President Roosevelt was the first President to face resolutely and fully the problems of a new generation and a new age. He asked God to grant him wisdom and strength to inaugurate this new era, and, as unparalleled opportunities had come to him, so might unparalleled success attend him. He thanked the President, not only in the name of Northwestern, but of all other colleges and all other universities for the grand illustration which the President had given of the fact that college life and college opportunity, properly lived and properly utilized, are a most valuable element in the preparation for the manifold activities of the great world outside. The President, in addressing the students, referred to the value of college education. "The better your training," he said, "the better work you can do. We have no room for the idlerthe man who wishes to live a comfortable life, and if a man has not the right spirit in him, if he goes from this or any other university feeling that that fact puts him in a special class, he will fail. But if he feels that he has received special advantage to succeed in this life, and proceed vigorously with that special advantage in reserve, he will succeed." He spoke of athletic sports, stamped his approval upon them, and dwelt upon their value in success. Intellectual supremacy, he said, was good; physical prowess desirable, but better than all, and without which none could succeed, was an upright character. Returning to Chicago, on arriving at the Union station, carriages were taken to the Auditorium Hotel, the drive being through streets crowded with cheering people. After luncheon the President went to the University of Chicago, being met by Dr. William R. Harper and the faculty and trustees, attired in cap and gown, and, at Kent theater, in the presence of the faculty and students, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him. Dr. Harper said: "Universities in all lands have judged it to be reasonable and right that those men who, surpassing others in native genius and devoted toil, have carried great undertakings in letters and science to a successful issue, or in administration of affairs have rendered memorable service to the commonwealth, should receive the meed of honors and distinction that they themselves may have the praise which is their due, and the minds of others may be roused to emulate their virtues and to win like fame. Once before in this same room, we sat in similar assembly-a meeting long to be remembered. At that time there sat with us as the guest of honor, one who at a time of gravest crisis, when the weal, not only of the Republic, but of foreign states, was put in direst peril, and the path of wisdom lay dark before the people, served each highest interest, and by his wisdom and foresight, out of confusion brought a happy ending. Let us at this time, in affection and gratitude, call again to mind that simple, kindly and sagacious man who, in God's |