The Daily Missoulian., 1909-10-01

Seattle, Sept. 30.-Speaktng before
the largest audience he has faced since
his trip began-a crowd | hat over
flowed the natural amphktheater of
the Alaska -Yukon-Pacific exposition
with its seating capacity OF Fneariy ~,
0O0-Presdent Taft today fnnounced
that he would urge in his corAi,ng mes
sage to congress the enactnAcnt OF
ship subsidy law. His utterAnces on
this subject were received wifi great
acclaim.
When the president turned IN Alas
ka, however. and declared ttat he
was opposed to granting terGtorial
form of government to that ffr-off
possession the statement was recleived
in silence. AS the president proceed
ed, however, and outlined his Pblicy
for the upbuilding of Alaska of hrec-
ommending government aid in thel on
struction of railroads. of a local pv-
ernment, of a commission of fiva or
more members appointed by the prv ISL
dent and cooperating with the q "
ernor. and when he told OF the pos fi-
bilities that lie in Alaska, he plat "
caught the favor of his hearers n Il
was loudly cheered.
Later in the day. when he was 4 :
mitted to membership In the ArcWc
brotherhood, an international organ
ization made up of Canadians and
Americans interested in the develop
ment OF Alaska. the president an
nounced that he intended to visit
Alaska next summer and to go as far
into the territory as time would per-
hr ,,,tsrt int
contact with the people and see for
himself -sssat might b. best goypSe .fsf
their welfare.
Not Vet Ready.
The president frankly told the MEM
bers of the brotherhood that he did
not believe Alaska at this time is
ready for entire self-government.
II am as much in favor of popular
government as anybody declared the
president, but ! am I'm favor of popu-
lar government only when the con-
ditions exist under which popular gov
crnment may be success and work
for the benefit of the people and the
government at large. When there are
limitations growing out of various
circumstances we must take other
means until popular government be-
comes possible, and then. of course. II
is the best government in the world"
The president had an interesting and
busy day. which ended tonight with a
banquet in the Washington building
on the exposition grounds. Early this
morning he motored out to the fair
grounds, and his first function of the
day was to review a parade of the
nations. in which Americans. Japa-
nese. Filipinos. Chinese. Igorrotes and
Eskimos took part. He then spent two
hours in going through the various
buildings and exhibits. This was fol-
lowed by a luncheon in the New York
state building. The address in the
amphitheater was made at p. m. He
returned to the city for period OF
rest and TO dress for dinner. Return
Ing to the fair grounds tonight. Mr.
Taft viewed for the first time the
wonderful illuminations.
A Flag Drill.
The president witnessed a flag drill
by 400 public school children who
themselves formed living flag. He
also listened to tho rendition by a
glee club of a new patriotic song oil
anthem. In God We Trust" written
and composed by Joseph b. Glider o,
New York
At the Arctic Brotherhood tho presi-
dent was elected honorar, past grand
Arctic chief and was presented with
a costly robe of office made of purple
velvet and trimmed with furs The
brotherhood did not presume to ask
the president to don the robes. hut he
insisted with the laughing remark. Il
am not afraid to put on the robes OF
office: I never have been."
In his address in the natural amphi-
tlieater President Taft said:
Objective Point.
This great Alaska Yukon Pacific
exposition was the objective point on
my "trip tn the west and I am glad to
have arrived here. after two weeks
travelling from the old Bay state. As
look about me. at this wonderful ex-
hibition OF the progress of the north
west. of Alaska and the Pacific coast
/ feel a great pride in having urged
upon the proper congressional COM
mittee. with all the emphasis of which
utility OF the enterprise.
And it is gratifying to know that
under the administration of Seattle
men. the exposition has been great
success. both in arousing worldwide
interest In the growth of the far north
west and In showing profit of Tn.
immense outlay needed in its construe.
tion and maintenance. When | frs
planned MY visit TO Seattle had in,
ciuded with il a trip to Alaska. in orse
thar ! might by personal inyestiga
ton make myself better acquainted