The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-09-30
TRAVELLING WITH TAFT
Especial Correspondence.l

his way on what is perhaps the most
notable trip ever taken by a chief
magistrate of the United States it has
been shown that the original schedule
is being closely adhered to. Gerrit
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 standstill.
Over Many Railroad Systems.
The presidents trip covers an timer
airy of 1859 miles, and his private
cars. the Mayflower and the HALE
mar, will be handled over twenty-five
different railroad systems. The South
arn Pacific will get the longest haul OF
2,2S9 miles. The Maricopa and Phoe-
nix railroad, in Arizona, gets the short
haul Of thirty-fve miles. The voyage
down the Mississippi river from st.
Louis to New Orleans on the steam
boat Mississippi covers 1,165 miles.
1t will begin Oct. 81 and will occupy
four days and five nights.
Opening the Gunnison Tunn&.
The striking incidents Of President
Taft's progress so far included an in
spection of one of the greatest irriga-
ton projects of all the west at Mont
rose, Solo. The president spent nearly
half a day there and off1ciated at the
opening of the new Gunnison tunnel.
The Gunnison tunnel is said % 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
| it 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. 1t bores
through a mountain and will transfer
water from the Gunnison river to the
Uncompahgre river valley. Twelve
miles of canal with a 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 viii 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 $5,000,0Q0,
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
small sum, but the payments will be
increased as the land develops and be-
comes more pFOiIIlc.
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 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 ter
acres. The metropolis of the UncOm
pahgre valley is Montrose, an enter
prising and modern little city. with
schools, churches, theater, ETC., thai
compare favorably with eastern com
munities of twice it's size. 1t was {
great day for Montrose and the whole
valley when President Taft sent the
water tumbling and roaring on it
life giving mission to the thirsty des
ert.
Spokane Greets Taft.
Leaving Colorado, the presiden
reached Salt Lake City on Friday
evening, Sept "a, remaining until Sun
day noon. Thence his itinerary car
| ried him to Butte, Mont, where ht
viewed the big shelters and wa
warmly welcomed; a short visit t.
the Occur d'Alene country of northern
Idaho and then Spokane. The commit
tee on decora tons had made specia
recommendation in it's report that tn
city streets be secured and scrubbed
! on the night prior to the advent o
President Taft into the city In fact
general recommendation had gon
forward that the city put on its bes
attire for the coming of the executive
and not only were the streets flushed
cleaned and sprinkled lightly, but tn
sidewalks of the city were devoid o
boxes or any standing rubbish tina
would impart an untidy appearance.
Apples Galore.
Apple dumplings apple frappe, baked
apples, fried apples. apples en- miserie
green apples. ripe apples. apple pie
: l.