The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-28
ALL STRUNG OUT.
Continued fronl Page One,

(COntlnued 1rOp1 rage One.J
p. M, two hours behind the scheduled
time.
In making the run the O1eander left
all of the other vessels of the neet Tar
astern.
The delays have wrought havoc with
the schedule for the remainder of the
trip. Leaving here nearly three hours
late the president will not reach Vlcks-
burg until o'clock or later tonight, that
being his next stop. Even to make that
city by 6 p. m. the president will have
to leave the other vessels behind. 1t has
been Mr.. Taft's decision to ride over
the battlefield at Vicksburg and he may
be unable to do that because of the de-
lay.
1t has been intended that the presi-
dent should be welcomed to Arkansas
by Governor Donaghey. but the gov
ernor's boat was an hour behind the
president and the Introductory speech
was made by Mayor Martin.
The president spoke briefly from a
stand erected in the center of the city:
The night. air and the bad condition of
his voice did not offer favorable condi-
tons for a longer address.
Only Taft Party Landed.
The Oleander was nearly one hour
ahead of the remainder of the fleet and
President Taft's party was all that
alighted here.
The president is still very hoarse, and
1T WAS WIFI great. SllOlt tIr1t llC oPOhO'
He referred to the f1otilla jestingly as
g. travelling show booked for full per-
Torrance and regretted one part OF the
show was called upon to fill the entire
enga gement. The trip down the river,
according to the president, has amply
demons trated the inadequacy of present
river traffic to compete with the rail-
roads and is good argument for deep
waterways.
Speaking of the occasion of the trip,
; a-;1 Ayaf
say that the trip is merely free
1unket; but those who know under
stand the time of the men who are
making the trip is too valuable and
they could not afford to spend it except
to impress upon the country what Is
one of the most important issues OF the
time.
Congress has the power to improve
the river ways They have spent much
money. but have not entered into any
general plan. We all realize that If we
do anything effectively and economical
ly it must be a general plan. If 1T Is
proven practical I believe it ought to
be done quickly. We ought to treat 1T
like we have treated the Panama canal
issue, but not in piecemeal. Let US cen
ter on a general plan and issue bonds"
In opening the Y. NJ, C. A. at Mem
phis the president used a gold key
which he kept as souvenir. 1.-The as
ISOLATION, he said, holds out a useful
ndIQ 10 young IlSH lIOlli TIC COuAlA
who move to cities where they are eX-
posed to temptations while away from
influences. AS the hotilla of boats was
leaving Helena shortly after 9 O'Clock.
President Taft went aboard the steamer
Quincy for dinner as the guest of the
1T congressman on board. The Olean-
der remained within hailing distance of
the Quincy while the dinner was In
progress and took the president again
on board while the boats were under
way 20 miles below Helena.
Canal Is Cleared. for Taft
Vicksburg, Miss. Oct. 28-Reports
that President Taft would disembark
from the steamer Oleander at Green
vile, Miss, and take a train to Vicks-
burg, are denied by railroad officials.
A dispatch from Greenville announces
that the original plan of reaching the
city by river will be carried out.
The indications, are that the president
will arrive late, but it is believed nearly
all of the program will be completed.
Weather conditions are ideal.
All vessels were ordered out of the
Yazoo canal during the hours of the
visiting fleets presence s4E-z'