The Washington times., 1902-09-26

7, Mr. lhomaS r. WaiSn. OF Colorado, has
returned to Washington with Mrs.
| Walsh. after their summer in Europe
They left here May D. They are occupy
ing their Washington home for few
Denver. where Mr.. Walsh will take a
prominent part in the annual meeting
| of the National Irrigation Congress, of
which organization he is president
The report of an early visit TO this
country by King Leopold Of the Bel
gians, was denied by Mr.. Walsh, who was
but recently the guest of the monarch
at Luchon, health resort in the Pyr-
| ennecs, between France and Spain.
There is a great deal of truth, he said,
in the desire of King Leopold to come to
this country and inspect its marvellous
| resources, but no plans to that end have
yet been authorized 20 be made public.
Since Mr.. Walsh knows of these plans.
confidentially. he was unwilling to COM
| ment upon them further than to say that
or next even, but when it is made. the
Washington part of the tour will be as
| his guest.
Young for His Years.
King Leorold is deeply interested in
the industrial and financial development
of America said Mr.. Walsh, land
though he is upward of seventy years
old, he is so energetic and agile that
he never shrinks from efforts requiring
even the greatest expenditure of
strength. During the past summer at
Luchon, the King showed his strenuous
ways of living by climbing one day to the
timber line of the mountains, which are
as high as the Rockies"
During Mr.. and Mrs. Walsh's stay in
Paris they visited the home of Lafay-
ette, which is now occupied by the Mar
quis and Maruuise de Listaryes, the
granddaughter and granddaughter. re-
spectively, of the friend of the American
colonies. Their chateau is at Courplais,
a short distance from the French capital
From there the American visitors went
to the races at Trouville, and then
toured in a Panhard automobile through
France. Master Vincent Walsh acquired
such mastery over the vehicle that he
was able to pass the government test,
and became the youngest licensed chauf-
feur in Paris
Mr.. Walshs valet. who is now in this
city with him. was operating this ma
chine on the road to Paris at the time
the Fairs were killed. He was but
short distance hack of the unlucky We
bicle which carried its occupants to
their death. The Walsh automobile was
loaded with Luggage. The chauffeur
was one of the first persons to arrive at
the scene Of the accident, but no aid
could be rendered After this terrible
accident Mr. Walsh decided, upon the
request of his wife, to leave his Pan
chard carriage abroad.
Favors Good Roads.
One of the chief results of Mr.. Walsh's
recent trip is to make him an even more
enthusiastic advocate than before of a
government good roads system.
The roads of France are remarkable"
he said last night. They are carried
straight through all kinds of obstacles,
and in many instances are just as they
were cut by the Roman invaders. "A
great system of good roads would do
more in the upbuilding of that country
than anything else. except irrigation.
What is wanted there is the estab-
lishment of the connecting links which
will put an end to the isolation OF the
past. Irrigation is going to work won
ders there, and good roads will be the
next matter of necessity for the moving
of the great crops which will come when
the other plan once gets into good
working order
Mr.. Walsh grew eloquent in express
ing his plea for this vast plan and d
similar one of forest conservation. In
Paris he had been the guest of the ed-
tor of lie Matin," and the latter in
formed him that the oldest laws on the
statute books of France are those re-
lating to forestry.
Great Pine Forests.
When first went to Leadville there
Walsh. "They were so dense that they
held the moisture, and it drained of
gradually Now there is nothing left t.,
bold the SHOWS, and periods of fresheto
are succeeded by great droughts, each
with its losses.
practical effect these three projects of
immense imnor anee. more happiness
can be brought to the country at large
than could pi obably be effected in any
similar way whatever. We must stop
the everlasting rush to the cities. II
we make the country more habitable
by these improvements. people will give
up living in cramped city quarters and
will go to the country to get the pure
sunlight and air.
In France the farmhouses are artis-
tic, there is happiness and contentment
there. When this lesson of beautifying |
the country is learned here. there will |
be less of the spirit of unrest in the |
cities
During Mr.. Walsh's short stay in the |
city this week ne will look over the |
progress of the work a: his new home, |
Massa chusetts Avenue and Twenty first |