New-York tribune., 1909-02-12
MR.. TAFT APPROVES
LOCK TYPE OF CANAL
GzTTN DAM WILL BE
IOWERED 20 FEET.
Enthusiastic Reception IN Ne1c Or
leans-Future PLalss-CGbiraet
= Talk ReUiCed.

New Orleans Feb. 11.-President-elect Will
lam H. Taft landed here shortly before o'clock
this afternoon from Papana. and was enthusi-
astsoaIy received by the entire city, whose guest
he is TO be until Saturday morning
Mt Taft made brief speech this afternoon.
IN which he heartily approved the present lock
type of canal across the Isthmus Of Panama
He reviewed a parade OF citizens. miles in
length and tonight attended one of the car
nivzI season balls. that of the ELVES Of Oberon-
Mr. Tsft viii address the Negro Young Mems
Christian Association tomorrow. spend several
hours in automobiling. and at night be the guest
q honor at elaborate dinner, for which near
" five hundred prominent citizens viii pay s25
plate Saturday morning the President-elect
viii 20 to Cincinnati. from where. on Monday.
he xin go 10 Washington. returning again to
Cincinnati on Wednesday
With the return of Mr.. Taft TO the states.
Cabinet speculation became at once attractive.
No information is TO be given TO the public,
however. from the authoritative source. Mr..
Taft said he would adhere TO his previously
announced plan of keeping silent, and also of
keeping Cabinet appointments open until the
very last moment 20 provide against possible
contingencies.
MORE CABINET OFFERS.
Ii is regarded. however, as highly probable
that offers Of Cabinet places are 10 be made
without great delay. Mr.. Taft said he had been
placed In possession Of information he desired
and had asked TO be obtained for him in his alb
sence. The expected arrival here in the morn
ing OF Frank H. Hitchcock and the presence
here Of ). c. Shaffer. owner of ''The Chicago
Evening POST and on whose judgment Mr.
Taft said he would place weight regarding Cab
met aspirants from the vicinity of Chicago.
r~cra
gun In this connection there was rumor here
to-day that J. NJ. Dickinson. OF Chicago. general
counsel for the Illinois Central Railway.
being considered for the War portfolio, but
confirmation in the way of a positive statement
could be obtained
On the trip from Panama Mr.. Taft made the
first Graft OF his inaugural address. This he in
tends TO submit TO certain friends in Washing
ton On his forthcoming visit there next, week
The Inability OF the board of civil engineers to
complete their report on the resolutions regard
ing which their advice had been asked concern
iEg the Panama Canal made the Washington
visit planned by Mr.. Taft necessary. The engi-
neers viii go at once to Washington to complete
taelr work. II may be stated that their report
VIII be complete approval Of present plans and
methods on the isthmus They will not only
recommend the construction Of the Gatun dam
D0t give it as their judgment that the dam will
sc perfectly safe if built to a height of 10 in
ssead OF 155 feet, thus saving expense in con
sruet1en. Other features Of their report will
oeai with The thickness of cement required for
ehe walls and floors of the locks, devices for
landing ships in the locks and the approval of
tae Sl0O9O0@0 breakwaters at Colon the con-
e'rnction of which VIII create harbor out OF
'he present open roadstead. The failure of the
Engineers 20 complete their report was said TO be
eneir desire for careful consideration regarding
1est the manner of stating their conclusions
.sener than any disagreement regarding what
lhose conclusions are.
Mr.. TAFT SUMS UP.
In his speech on the steps of the city Hall
hsrs to-day Mr. Taft made what he said was
nis summing up Of his recent trip.
am here on my return from q great con-
s1slictive work. ne said. after paying his com
phinsnts to his audience. 'the greatest entered
upon by any nation during the present two
centuries. and I am glad to say TO you, who
perhaps are more interested in that work than
eHy other part Of the people of the United
states, that the work = going on as you would
ave Il g That on the first Of January
MS, al least If not before-and am very rllucf
interested in having it within the next four
sears-ihat canal will be completed. And when
'aat time comes you viii see loading down this
river your great commerce bound through those
straits TO the west coast Of America to the west
coast Of South America. TO the Orient and to
Australia
The board Of engineers that accompanied
ns have examined the whole work and they say
Continued on third paxs-