Paae Eight

THE MICHIGAN DAILY

Wednesday, May 19, 1976


F F;.4c L ,,, THE..M.CHIGAN . A.LY.Wednesday..+May 19, 1976

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By TIM SCHICK
Special To The Daily
KALATAZOO-The crowds began to gather at the stop two
hours before the President arrived. Each person sought out a
spot which would afford them the best view and pasitioo to
shake hands wtuh the well known politician.
The aging train station was bundled in red, white and blue
bunting giving the scene an atmosphere out of a bygone age. The
train station, Nestled is a now decaying area of town, for a few
brief hours had its former glory restored as people from miles
around lined up along the tracks for blocks on either side.
BANDS FROM LOCAL high schools took turns playing lively
marches ranging from Sousa to the Michigan fight song.
The crowd numbering in the thousands now strained to peer
down the tracks, to be the first one to glimpse the train carrying
the President.
The grey skies overhead occasionally opened. up bringing a
quick opening of umbrellas and readjustment of jacket collars.
No one moved form their spot for fear being unable to regain
it.
MEANWHILE THE Secret Service kept a close watch on the
crowd. One man entering the spectator area with a bag of potato
chips was momentarily detained as a security man asked a few
questions.
"What's in the bag?" he inquired reaching for it. He
squeezed just long enough for the sound of crumbling potato chips
to emerge. Handing the bag back, the somewaat startled man
mumbled, "He could have just looked inside, it was already
open."
Police lined the top of every building, appeare I in every
window and dotted the streets around the station. No chances

were being taken with the life
official.
IN THE DISTANCE the sou
crowd up on its toes. A single eno
agents pulled slowly past the sta
and the bands continued to fill ti
All of a sudden the "Presidet
view ,a huge eagle's head paintet
took to the air; bands burst into'
THE TRAIN STOPPED, the c
began to speak. He spoke of his
people gathered to let him conti
As the President spoke a ct
raphers poured off the train an
tracks from the crowd.
After the short speech the Pr
he had brought along on the train
and a few politicos. Also noticabt
were a University cheerleader ani
CONCLUDING HIS remarks
ped off the platform and were s1°
shake hands.
The crowd squeezed against,
the Fords' outstretched hands.
Secret Service agents nervously<
slowly made his way down the 1'
an occasional word wth an excite
Back on the platform of the tr
gambling on his whistle stop to
crowd that he was their hornet
become famous, but had not for