Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-25
Panama Canal His Topic.

In his speech at the st. Louis Club
President Taft referred to the trip Of
his hosts. the Commercial Club. to the
Isthmus of Panama. while the Presi-
dent was Secretary Of War.
He referred to the fact that in a
previous visit to st. Louis he had sug-
gested this trip of inspection, and he
said he had always felt grateful to thu.
club and to the other organizations
from various cities that went to the
isthmus for the confidence which they
had engendered in the American people
concerning the work.
The country felt positive, said the PreSl-
dent, that the commercial bodies that in
spected the canal work at their own ex-
pense could not have been fooled or de-
ceived or would have motive for mis-
representing the facts.
He declared the report of the CONNER
cial clubs marked the beginning of a
state of affairs which had left the ad-
ministration in a very comfortable posi-
ton with reference to the progress of the
canal work.
Up to that time, the President said
there had been cries of scandal and in
competence, but afterWard the work had
been treated as all great government
and engineering works should be treated
with sobriety. calmness and criticism of
plans basis that can be understood.
He said the report of the commercial
clubs had driven away the nightmare
after the burden of the canal work had
fallen on his shoulders.
His Advice to Secretary Dickinson.
The President said not long ago Secre-
tary of War Dickinson had cone to him
with much perturbation, displaying d
newspaper article which had caused a
great scandal over the letting of a paint
contract on the isthmus. The President
stated AIR Dickinson deSiroI ha inn,
date appointment of commission to in
veStigate the matter in order that the
unjust charges might be demolished.
Il said to him. continued the Presi-
dent, Dickinson when you have been in
that office as long as l was and get a
proper sense OF proportion with reference
to the Importance of a croak of that sort,
YOU will let it pass with a feeling only of
amusement and the hope that it may
have furnished a pleasant moment to the
man who wrote the headlines
The Presidents voice showed some i'm
provement over yesterday, but he was
still quite hoarse.
Sixty-tive Commercial Club members
and the Presidents party were at the
breakfast tables. The President con-
versed and rested a short time. after
which he was driven to the Coliseum.
Crowd Of Cofgressmen.
His ride through the streets was con-
tinual ovation. At the Coliseum, before
making his address. he greeted 200 repre-
sentatives. 81 governors and score OF
United States SENATOR'S who arrived this
morning guests of the Business Mems
League for the trip down the Mississippi.
Seven foreign ministers were seated on
the platform.
Gov. Hadley introduced President Taft
to an audience which filled the Coliseum.
Immediately after delivering his speech
the President was escorted to the Plant
ers' Hotel for luncheon.
Nine hundred guests of the Business
Mems League of St Louis We're seated
at twelve tables the second floor of
the Planters when the chief executive
arrived. He was escorted to his seat by
James T.. Smith, president of the league.
No set speeches were made. The repre-
senatives, governors. senators and foreign
ministers were at the luncheon.
At 800 O'Clock. according to schedule.
President Taft, escorted by mounted po-
lice, wa.s 10 be taken across E,ads bridge
to East St Louis Here he was to meet
Vice President Sherman and Speaker Can
non who had been guests of the East ST.
Louis Commercial Club at a luncheon.
To Lay Corner Stone.
The President planned to lay the corner
stone of the new United States govern
ment building in East st. Louis at 4
o'clock. then return to ST. Louis and en-
bark at :, o'clock on the lighthouse tender
Oleander for New Orleans.
The entire police force of ST. Louis to-
day was busy guarding the President. The
patromen did not allow any person to
move from the sidewalk AS the presiden-
tiaI PARTY passed. After the automobiles
had gone by a given point the patrolmcn
went to another part of the parade route
and held the cheering multitudes back OF
the walks.
President Taft's special train. which he
had occupied since he began his round OF
the country in Boston, left for New Or
leans today over the Illinois Contra
tracks. Except for the train crew and the
porters. walters and chefs, the coaches