The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-09-23
PRESIDENT CLIMBS OVER GREAT
DIVIDE AND ENTERS THE
PACIFIC SLOPE.
THROUGH ROYAL GORGE
For First Time Executive Sees Siohts
in Wonderful Canyon Of the Arkan-
sas River PiesuresqueIy Attired
Colorado Shsriffs Accompany Trav-
eler as Special Guard Of Honor.

Pueblo. Cello. Sept. 2a-president
Taft tonight Is crossing the continental
divide and tomorrow morning will
find himself vest of the Rocky noun
tains. All day the president has
Travelled with the panorama of the
white-eaped peaks of the Rockies in
view and at one time the train ran
for mile or more through fields OF
snow. Tonight at Tennessee pass, the
climb to the top OF the divide car
ries the chief magistrate to an alti-
tude Of 1920 feet, nearly two miles
high.
For the first time the president In
travelling to the ives: through the
Royal gorge OF the Arkansas, where
at one place the half mile deep can
yon is SO narrow that there l. not
room for the track and the river and
the former has to be carried over
the rushing waters of the stream by
means of n hanging bridge. suspended
by cables imbedded In the rock walls
of the chasm. The li-mils run
through the gorge was made by moon
light tonight. the presidents train
having left here at $40 p. m. and
reaching the hanging bridge two
hours iates.
The president did not feel the aIti-
tnde at all today and at the end on
his first week of .tone-night stands
he is In splendid health. despite the
efforts of the hnspitable west and its
elaborat. and never. ending break
fasts, luncheons ana dinners.
Good Condition.
Mr.. Taft's voice also Is In the best
Of condition. There was little huski-
ness for a time, but ii has about dis
appeared.
Beginning the first of the two days
of his Colorado tour, Mr.. Taft motored
IA miles out of Denver to breakfast
this morning at the home ofsThomas
r. Walsh. and at the request OF the
owner. reehris.ened as ...csonmel." tho
sseate heretofore known at Vol
hurst
Taking the train at Wolhurst. with
an additional train filled with Colo
RADIO people as an escort, the presi-
dent proceeded to Colorado Springs.
where ne made brief address in the
public park 10 one of the largest
crowds of the trip and then made a
hnrryup automobile tour to points OF
scenic interest. At an eminence over
looking the valley of the Garden Of
the Gods. with the Rockies I'm the
background and dark cnmulous clouds
playing tag with Pixies peak. Mr..
TAFT expressed MS admiration OF sha
view with unrestrained enthusiasm
From Colorado Springs the party
came on to Pueblo. where the presi-
dent left the train at the Mineral
Palace parry and was driven at the
head of II long procession of auto
mobiles To the state fair grounds To
face another exuheIant throng and to
make brief extemporaneous speech
IN appreciation of the reception that
Colorado has extended to him.
Will Assist.
Sec, ,,ary of the Interior Ralilnger
joined ts.a presidential party at Dem
Yer and win go through TO Seattle
with the presi lent. He will assist Mr..
Taft tomorrow afternoon In the for.
mai opening of the Gunnison tunnel at
Montrase. Cal. the greatest lrriga-
tion project the government has ever
undertaken
Mr.. TAFT announced today that he
will not make his speech upon the
subject of the conservation Of natural
resauvces-the topic of supreme in
tersst in the country through which he
viii pass during the next two weeks
Until he reaches Spokane on Septtm-
ber =. II was at Spokane that the
controversy between Mr.. RaliInger
and Chief Forester Pinchot arose and
AIR Taft regards it As probably the
best place to discuss the issue. In
the brief references he has made In
his speeches SO far. Mr.. Taft has de-
ciared that the reclamation work
must go on, but that ii must be done
in conformity with the law ard that
no project will be undertaken until
the money for the work IL on hand.
Another Letter.
1t was learned today tnat at the
same tine President TAFT wrote his
letter to Secretary Ballinger sustain
ing him in all that he has done as
head of the interior department. ha
also wrote letter to Mr.. Pinchot.
Further than to say thar he has had
frequent correspondence with Mr.. Pin
ehot and that they always have been
the war1nes, friends. Mr.. Taft viii
not further conrasMt upoa the mat
ter.
Tie presidential tour took on its
first picturesque ealoring Of the west
today when & she-tffs af Colorado
counties. in the costumes Of III. plains.
Joined the party in 4 special car to