Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-12-19
AUGUSTA GIVES TAFT
SOUTHERN WELCOME
Pres dent-Elect Loses No Time in
Hiking to Golf Links; Talks OF
Panama.
(By Associated Press).

AGUSTA, GA, Dee. 18th arrival
OF the Taft family in Augusta today
with the exception Of Miss Helen, who
is to reach here late. caused no small
amount of joyous excitement and de
monStrat.1n on the part of the resi-,
dents
The reception accorded the Presi-
dent-elect was am.le i'll expressing
the feeling OF cordial Southern hospi-
tality.
MIR. and Mrs. Landon A. Thomas ar"
entertaining the Tafts until Monday.
when they will take possession of the
Terrett cottage.
Judge Taft lost no time in getting
ont to the golf course and pronounc-
ed it much to his liking, although he
said he would have TO get familiar
with the sand greens. which were 4
little difficult after his play on grass.
Discusses Panama Trip.
In discussing his torthcc ming visi;
to Panama today Mr.. Taft made II
plain that ii was his purpose to keep
himself posted throughout his admins
tration regarding the engineering fea-
lures OF the work on the isthmus as
well as the administrative features.
1t ii his intention now to visit tn
isthmus each year OF his term and TO
take with him FER their report. emf
nent civil engineers who are not con-
nected with the work.
There is some danger. he believes.
that unless this close independent
slpe vision Is main aimed regarding
the physical features of the project.
grave mistakes might be made.
The problem that will receive the
greatest consideration during the forth
coming trip relates 20 the engineering
features Of the Gatun dam. There
has been some expert criticisms as
to the quality Of he foundation which
can be found fer this structure. and
il is Mr. Tatt's intention to obtain
from the most reliable sources availa-
Bile as much as may be known.
Invitation from New Orleans.
An invitation came to President
elect Taft today from President Phil
lip Werlein. OF the New Orleans Pro
gressive Union. 10 have him return
from Panama at hat port.
THE people of New Orleans the
invitation read. cordially request and
respectfully urge YOU TO return from
Panama via this port. We are deep
ly concerned not only in the success
of the adminisiI alton but the success
of the canal project and wish to as
sure you Of our earnest belief in the
wisdom Of these in authority.
Savannah Also Bids.
Savannah has come forward with =
bill for Mr. Taft and he will be visit
I'd shortly by a delegation from tina;
city asking him TO attend a Yale re-
union to be held there later.
No indicst;cr has been given as to
whether Mr.. Taft win accept Hts
Atlanta visit. which has been pTomis-
ed has not vet been definitely ar
ranged as to time.
NJ. Tat said tonight that he had
not yet determined on any one defi-
nitely for the attorney generalship.
II Is his desire 20 fill this place with
an administrative genius who will &C.
compl;sh a reorganization OF the de-
partment as well as the legsl phases
OF the department of commerce and
labor and the interstate commerce
commission 10 the end Vha: the WORK
of these three departments OF the
, government NAV be coOrdinated ami
brought into 81 Sc ard harmonious