The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1909-12-30
TRAVELLING WITH TAFT
Especial Correspondence

notable trip ever taken by a chief
MAGISTRATE of the United States 1t mas
been shown that the original schedule
Is being closely adhered to. Gerr1t
Ford. assistant to the vice president OF
the New York Central lines, who has
charge of the transportation arrange
ments for the entire trip, has Father
Time beaten to a Standstil1.
Over Many Railroad Systems.
The presidents trip covers an timer
ary OF 1879 miles, and his private
cars, the Mayfiower and the HALE
mar. will be handled over twenty-five
different railroad systems. The South
ern Pacific will get the longest haul OF
2.2S9 miles. The Maricopa and Phoe-
nix railroad, in Arizona, gets the short
haul Of thirty-five miles. The voyage
down the Mississippi river from st.
Louis to New Orleans on the steam
boat Mississippi covers 1,165 niles.
It will begin Oct. q and will occupy
four days and five nights.
Opening the Gunnison Tunnel.
The striking incidents of President
Taft's progress so far included an in
spection of one Of the greatest irr1ga-
ton projects Of all the west at Mont
rose. Colo. The president spent nearly
half a day there and officiated at the
opening of the new Gunnison tunnel.
The Gunnison tunnel is said to be
the longest underground waterway in
the world. The Uncompahgre project,
as it is called, Is the first Of the great
irrigation systems started by the rec
lamation service to be completed, and
1t ranks third among the twenty-seven
enterprises begun by the government
Thousands Of acres of the finest fruit
land in the world will be caused to
blossom with crops with the waters
that were turned on to them when
President Taft pressed a button. At
present it is little more than a sage
brush desert. The tunnel is six miles
long and built Of concrete. It bores
through a mountain and will transfer
water from the Gunnison river to the
Uncompahgre river valley. Twelve
miles of canal with greater cross
section than that of the Erie canal
will conduct the stream from one riv-
er to another. Fourteen intermediate
drops will generate 10000 horsepower.
Government Will Sell Water.
Approximately 10000 acres of ara
BILE land surrounding the celebrated
Montrose fruit district will be placed
at the disposal Of farmers. The gov
eminent will charge about $35 an acre
for water rights, but irrigation will in
crease the value Of the land many
fold. Since February, 1905, from 500
to 800 men have been employed on the
work, and for their accommodation
two towns containing schools, hospi-
tails and dwellings have been built by
the government at the canals portals.
The work has cost about 5000, 600,
and a peculiar feature is that Uncle
Sam lends money only to the farmers
who are to benefit by receiving water.
For the first year settler will pay but
a small sum, but the payments will be
increased as the land develops and be-
comes more prolific.
A railroad traverses the valley, SO
farmers will have no difficulty in mar
keting their crops Besides, the near
by mining camps can be depended
upon to take a goodly percentage Of
farm products at high prices
Small Farms the Rule.
Most Of the ranches in the Montrose
district are small and compact, and
intensive agriculture is practiced.
When settled under the government
plan the unit will not be above ten
acres. The metropolis of the Uncom-
pahgre valley is Montrose, an enter
prising and modern little city, with
schools, churches, theater, ETC., that
compare favorably with eastern COM
munities Of twice it's size. It was a
great day for Montrose and the whole
valley when President Taft sent the
water tumbling and roaring on it's
life giving mission to the thirsty des-
ert.
Spokane Greets Taft.
Leaving Colorado, the president
reached Salt Lake City on Friday
evening, Sept. "a, remaining until Sum-
day noon. Thence his itinerary car
ried him to Butte, Mont, where he
viewed the big shelters and was
warmly welcomed; a short visit to
the Occur d'Alene country Of northern
Idaho and then Spokane. The commit
tee on decorations had made a special
recommendation in its report that the
city streets be secured and scrubbed"
on the night prior to the advent of
President Taft into the city. In fact,
a general recommendation had gone
forward that the city put on its best
attire for the coming Of the executive,
and not only were the streets flushed,
cleaned and sprinkled lightly, but the
sidewalks OF the city were devoid of
boxes Or any standing rubbish that
would impart an untidy appearance.
Apples Galore.
Apple dumplings. apple frappe, baked
apples, fried apples. apples en- miserie,
green apples, ripe apples, apple pie,
apple jelly-in fact, every conceivable