Bryan morning eagle and pilot. (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1909, 1909-02-13
THOUSANDS CHEER TAFT.
President Elect Recipient of a
True Southern Welcome.
HEADS FIVE-MILE PARADE
Makes Brief Speech, In Which He Ap-
proves Lock Type Of Canal. Reviews
Parade and at Night Himself and
Wife Attend Carnival Ball.

WIG NttCHb se's
New Orleans, Feb. 12.-President
Elect William H. Taft landed here
shortly before O'Clock Thursday aft
ernoon from Panama, and was most
enthusiastically received by the entire
city.
Mr.. Taft made a brief speech In the
afternoon in which he heartily approx
ed the present lock type of canal
across the Isthmus of Panama. He
reviewed a parade of enthusiastic cit
| liens miles in length and at night at
tended one Of the carnival season balls
/ that of the Elves of Oberon.
Mr.. Taft's entry into New Orleans
was picturesque and thrilling. He
came up the 100 miles of the Missis-
sipp from tits mouth on the scout
cruiser Birmingham at the rate of
nearly thirty miles an hour, breaking
all records. All the shipping in the
river had on gala dress as far as a
dozen miles below the city, and the
big. muddy stream was alive with tugs
and stern-wheelers having aboard
crews of shouting citizens. The con-
cert of steam whistles, brass bands and
banks lined with salutlng enthusiasts
added to the scene A big stern-wheel-
er carried the local reception commit
tee eight miles below the city, with
which dozen big tugs and other pas
senger steamers lowered around the
cruiser, with her war paint, as she
slowed down and struck a seven-knot
pace to keep in company.
From the flying barge Mr.. Taft was
kept busy waving his cap and answer
ing salutations while Mrs Taft, on
the quarterback. had her share of the
ovation. A big red barge was brought
alongside in midstream at the foot
of Canal street. over which the party
boarded the reception committees
steamer and a landing was made The
parade had been waiting an hour. anC
the distinguished guest was at once
placed at its head in carriage drawn
BY four horses, and the line of march
which covered nearly five miles wa
taken up.
After his speech to a gathering o
Il thousands before the city hall, MI
Taft reviewed the parade from th'
same place. He was then conveyed
4 to the Hotel Grunewald,
Judge Taft declined to discuss tn
question of Senator Knox's eligibilit
q to a cabinet seat. but was pleased t
4 know the senate had passed a bill
III Of ha GANrnf n
q of state to the original $4,000. Mex
q week he and Senator Knox will confe
at Washington.
z On the trip from Uanama Mr.. Tai
q made the first draft of his inaugura
q address. This he intends to submit
e to certain friends in Washington nen
n week
y The inability of the board OF civ
r engineers to complete their report o
the resolutions. regarding which the
advice has been asked regarding IN
Panama canal. made the Washingto
visit planned by Mr.. Taft necessar
The engineers will go at once
Washington to complete their wor
II may be stated that their report WI
be a complete approval of presel
plans and metnouS On Ine isInhhuu u
They will not only recommend u
construction of. the Gatun dam, b
give it as their Judgment that the da
will be perfectly safe II built to
height of 115 feet instead of l35 fe'
thus saving expense in constructio
other features of their report will de
with the thickness of cement requir
for the walls and floors Of the loci
II devices for handling ships in the loc
and the approval of the 100000
III breakwaters at Colon, the constructi
of which will create a harbor out
the present roadstead. The failure
Ill the engineers to complete their repC
was said to be their desire for carei
consideration regarding just the mi
ner of stating their conclusions ra
or than any disagreement regardi
what those conclusions are.
At the ball Judge Taft danced W
the queen In the same waltz M
TAFT was the kings partner.
An offensive Socialist banner "
removed by the police.