The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-06
ON TO YOSEMITE.
President Taft Leaves Frisco
After Busy Day.
Laid Cornerstone of a New Y.
N. G. A. Building.
ATTENDED A BANQUET
Was Alse Entertained by the
Press Club.
Attributes His Election to His
Trip to the Philippines.

San Francisco. Oct. 6.-After a few
hours rest, which he needed because of
the strenuous night of banqueting and
receptions, President Taft departed
early this morning for a few days of
real rest in Yosemite valley In spite
of his great strength, the president was
very weary man when, after Is hours
of almost constant entertainment he
retired at 2 o'clock this morning.
One of the features of the visit here
was the banquet at the Fairmont hotel.
Governor Gillett. in an address, urged
the maintenance on the Pacific coast of
a fleet of at least Is battleships. He
said:
1.-The battle for trade is in the Pa
ciffc. We have no island possessions
across the Atlantic and the navy is
drifting idly on the bosom of those wa
tiers. We need the navy in the PaNific
for the protection of our commerce,
and for peace, not for war"
The president responded:
Now Governor Gillett wants 16 or Is
battleships on this side of the water all
the time. Well, If you will guarantee
that the attacks are coming only on
this side, we will give you the ships.
But you forget that the Panama canal
Will be completed within four or five
years and it will double the efficiency
of the navy and will cut in two the dis
lance by water from the eastern to the
western coast"
The president then turned his atten-
ton to the subsidy. and gave that
which brought enthusiastic applause
Although utterly impromptu the recep-
ton rendered President Taft by the San
Francisco Press club after the banquet
at the Fairmont, proved one of the
most agreeable features of his enter
tainment here. The president was
made an honorary member of the club
and in his speech of acceptance won
the hearts of the newspaper men pres
ent by kindly humorous thrusts at
their expense. At the end of the affair
the Taft chuckle was voted as great a
success as his famous Taft smile.
Leaving the city at o'clock the pres
ident crossed the bay to his car. the
Mayfower. which was attached to the
regular Southern Pacific train to
MERGED At the various small towns
through which the train passed cheer
ing crowds greeted the president
President Taft will make a speech
from the court house steps at MERGED,
and after a reception will leave at 1870
for Yosemite valley
His Arrival in Frisco.
San Francisco. Cal. Oct. e.
President Taft was welcomed to San
the walks in some places ten deep
along line of march extending over
nearly three miles of. the principal
streets. The school children of this
the president and were one of the
prominent features of his reception
AS he was crossing from the Oak
land Mole to San Francisco the army
transport Thomas was setting sail
for the Philippines and by the presi-
dents request. the revenue cutter
Golden Gate. on which he was a pas
senger, was drawn up alongside the
big vessel whose sides were lined
with soldiers and the families of of
fcers.
On the bridge of the transport the
Philippine constabulary band was
playing Hail to the Chief" as the
president shouted across the water to
the khaki-clad soldiers:
Good bye. boys, 1 wish you a
pleasant voyage"
Answering cheers came back to the
president. The transport was soon
under way and the president looked
wistfully toward the Golden Gate.
Mr.. PRESIDENT" asked a member of
the party.
Indeed it does replied Mr. Taft, |
land I would give anything if I were
going with them"
Philippine Trip Did It.
The president never loses an
while on the coast to |
speak a good word for the Philip |
pines. Referring to his own ex-
periences at Manila. in one of his adj |
dresses he said:
you never can tell what the flu
ture is going to bring about. It |
seemed a long way around to the |