The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-12
TAFT IS GREETED
BY RECORD CROWD


isthmus. He Is ready and willing 70 as
sumo all responsibility for recommending
that the plans for a lock canal be pushed
20 completion. He feels that somebody
must assume this respoasi bility right
away. and .sc ..Opes that the report Of
the seven engineers VIII finally quiet all
suggestions Of a change n type.
The favorable report OF the engineers
means. furthermore. that Mt. Taft viii
do everything in his power TO hasten the
work on the istnmUs The seven en-
gineers agree chat the canal ought 10
be finished by January J, 1913. Col Goe-
thals IS not promising any more than
that, but It IS known that he is hopeful
Of doing much better. Mr. Taft, as IN
dicated in his speech here to-day, has
hopes Of seeing the frs vessel sail
through the straits before the expiration
CT his term
Had Pleasant Trip.
Col. Cocktails accompanied Mr. Taft
aud the engineers on the North Carolina
and landed here. He left at once for
Washington. where ne is 10 appear be-
fore the House Committee on ApprOpria-
tons 70 give information regarding the
canal estimates for the next fiscal year.
Ar. Taft and the engineers had a good
trip from the isthmus. with the exception
Of the last night out. when it was trihe
rough.
TIE North Carolina. conveyed by her
sister, the Montana. made the run in
three days and one hour. a record run
The Montana high-preSsure steam valve
blew out again. and she had 70 limp along
with one propeller while her starboar6
engine was being compounded. She man
aged. however. 10 overtske the North
Carolina after a chase Of half a day.
Mrs Taft vas on the North Carolina,
ard she proved to be much better sailor
than some Of the canal engineers
a large reception committee Of hun
bred citizens. led by Mayor Behrman
and Philip Werlein. president Of the New
Orleans Progressive Union. which had
charge Of the reception. together with
Admiral Singer. Postmaster Woodward.
District Judge Foster. Mai Foote, in
command Of the United States troops her.
and other citizens. met the Birmingham
at Chslmette. Just below the city. and
gave the Taft party a warm welcome.
ships BOOM SaIutes.
From there up 70 the landing at the
foot Of Canal street. the Birmingham.
with the Taft party aboard, and accom-
panied by the Newton and half dozen
smaller boats. was welcomed from both
sides Of the river with salutes Of cannon
and rockets. the blowing Of Whistles. and
the cheers Of the immense crowd which
lined the river banks at every point At
l2:s0 O'Clock in the afternoon the Bir-
mlngham anchored opposite the foot OF
Canal street and the Taft party. exchang-
ing to the General Newton, Of thte United
States Engineer Department. w5s landed
at the steamboat wharf.
Here Gov. Sanders. accompanied by bis
entire staff. in uniform. and a committee
Of $50 from the commercial exchanges,
received the party Only a few words
Of -congratuiation and welcome were ex-
| changed
Mrs. Taft drove straight from the wharf
TO the Pickwick Club. where she was
given a reception and from which she
watched the military parade The Presi-
dent-eleet entered q carriage win Gov
Sanders. Mayor Behrpan. THf -
iein. and the procession took up the line
OF march, accompanied D tas sasIo..s
military and civic societies. Practically
every organization in the CITY turned out
and the procession was long one, ex-
! tending several miles. and taking ar
/ hour TO pass.
] Il included the Louisiana militia. navs
! reserve. The United States troops and
marines here. the Knights Of Columbus
and others. Il began TWO hours late
/ ~,nx-ir@- ont Cou17 e4rncf I'D Car7u and
thence by ST. Charles avenue 70 the city
hall The decorations we're far more
profuse than ever before on an occasion
OF this kind
People Cheer and ShOut-
Canal street was rallied or to prevent
/ scrtd.,. - 49, ~.,,rss--r,orsfon NJ n.