Arizona republican., 1909-11-05
HOME FROM NEW ORLEANS
Journey Down the Missis- sippi Was a Delightful One and Impressed All With the Importance of Deep Waterways

Governor Richard F. Sloan returned home yesterday. coming direct from the presidential party. which he left in New Orleans last Monday. He had Vintended stopping a day to attend the fair in Fl Paso and would have done so had he known just how the connections were. but was anxious to get back. so came with the least possible delay When asked for an interview concerning the incidents of the trip, the governor talked very freely, saying that all had had a most delightful time and that the real pleasures of the journey had many of them not been even refer red to by the correspondents Speak ing of the trip of the president from beginning to date, he believed that for the most part the papers had made quately covered it. though the jour ney down the Mississippi was pret- ty well exploited by the papers of the central region through special cor respondents.
 The governor left the presidential party at Fl Paso, going direct to Chicago. thence to Cincinnati where he visited friends and then to St Louis, where he arrived on the 24th. the presidential party arriving on the s,5th. Concerning the entertainment by St. Louis. of the many guests that assembled, the governor was enthus- iastic. He said St Louis not only had the disposition to entertain royalty. but knew how to do it. Upon their arrival the governors were each met at the depot by local committeeman and were personally cared for to the hour of their departure, after the ceremonies attendant upon the visit of the president Every minute of the time was provided for. and everybody seemed to know just what to do, all conveniences being looked after.
 The journey down the river was a constant delight and was not attend ed by as much trouble as the public was led to believe by newspaper re- ports. There were thirteen boats in the flotilla and there was no stranding of the governors boat on a sand bar or any other material trouble, except the slowness of the boats. This was but to the Queen, which carried the senators. and the Oleander, on which the presideBtoial party travelled. They were scheduled to arrive at Vicks- burg in the afternoon at o'clock and take an automobile ride Before they reached Greenville they discovered that they could not make Nicksburg by boat before dark. so the manage ment arranged for a special train that hurried them through and they reached Nicksburg almost on schedule time had the automobile ride, and saw many things of historical interest Among them were the fertilization the old battlefields. trenches. earth works, monuments. etc.
 This was really one of the most pleasing incidents of the trip as the railroad ran through a famous cotton belt and they saw a great deal they would not have seen from the boat The governors and the congressional party had a better time of it in Vicksburg than did the presidential party, which did not get there until after dark, after the earlier arrivals had enjoyed their ride and had also devoured a fine collation. at the Elks' club. But a new start was made from Vicksburg from which they all set out on time again, by boat.
 More time was lost, however, be- tween NatcheZ and New Orleans, where they did not arrive until noon. when they were scheduled to arrive at o'clock The entire journey down the river was a procession Of sur prises. Governor Sloan said he had never been below Cairo. and strangely enough there were only few in the party who ever had been. The jour ney was a continuous ovation. each place vieing with the others in cour- tesy and entertainment.
 The deep waterways convention be- gan on Saturday and lasted until the following Tuesday. but many of the governors were anxious to get back to their respective states, so II was arranged that the portion of the con- VentiOn in which they were partic- ipate should be scheduled first and Saturday was largely devoted to that Nearly all the governors. Ari- zona's governor included. made five minute speeches before the convention, which was a very enthusiastic one. Most of the governors left the city on Sunday or Monday. not waiting for the conservation meeting which fol- lowed.
 The deep waterways movement said Governor Sloan, is one he understood but imperfectIy until he took this trip. but like all who were there. he was impressed with its tremendous inn