New-York tribune., 1909-10-31
TAFT LEAVES RIVER
IN CRESCENT CITY.
Has a Joyous Welcome-
Speaks for Waterrcays.

New Orleans. Oct 30.-President Taft ar
rived In New Orleans to-day to renew many
old acquaintances and enjoy two days OF
the hospitality which he declared a few
days ago he both '1onged for and feared"
From the moment of his arrival, at 1870
.. m. on the lighthouse tender Oleander.
which led long trailing fleet of river pack
cts into port, the President was kept on the
go until after midnight.
He made an address before the water
ways convention this afternoon, in which he
repeated what he has said before, that he
favors issuing bonds TO carry forward every
deep waterway project which shall be APP
proved by a competent board of engineers
as practicable @nd can be shown necessary
to take care of the growing commerce of
the sections.
The President then became the guest of
the city. He took luncheon with Arch
bishop Blenk, attended two football games,
had dinner given in his honor at the
Pickwick Club tonight and then went TO
a performance of Les Huguenots" at the
French opera house. \ little supper at a
noted French restaurant after the opera
brought his busy day to a close
DELEGATES CHEER PRESIDENT.
On the arrival of the President at the
convention delegates and visitors sprang
to their feet. Many mounted their chairs
in order to get a better view of the bowling,
smiling big man who was working his way
through the double line Of Secret Service
men and police officers. He stood on the
platform a moment, greeting President
Kavanaugh. Of the waterways association,
and then bowed his appreciation of the ap-
plause.
President Kavanaugh presented hand
scme gold badge 10 him, and then introduced
Governor Sanders of Louisiana, who in turn
introduced the President. The applause
broke out again, and was reinforced with
some vigorous Yale yells.
The President began his address by hav-
ing a little fun about the trip down the
river. He said that dangers great had
all been run" and that the fleet had come
through without the loss OF a single man.
He taunted the Congressman and Governors
for having resorted to the humiliatng device
of land transportation at one stage of the
journey.
The President declared that no progress
had been made in river navigation in this
country in the last forty or forty-hve years.
The waterways of this country, he said,
must be used eventually to carry the bulk
Of heavy merchandise.
The Presidents declaration that he IA
vored issuing bonds for carrying out the I
Ohio River improvement as one Of the ap-
proved waterway projects called out a
burst of applause. The Ohio River i'm
orovement will cost s63OO0000. Mr.. Taft
said he also favored bonds for all other
including that Of the Mis-
sissippi, as soon as feasible project can
De chosen and shown to be necessary and
ustidable. The Ohio River gives the bulk
,f business to the Mississippi. the President
declared. and every Improvement OF a trib-
ltary tends to increase the value of the
great highway to the Gulf.
In conclusion President Taft declared .
hat the time for oratory was past and .
that it was now time TO, get down. to.
brass tacks." He said: p
1T is now up to you gentlemen to de- /
eide what you want, what it will cost,
how long it will take, and what the result
will be. Once that is done, you can com
mand, not ask"