The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-23
OVER DIVIDE
 BY MOONLIGHT Taft Is on Other Side of Rocky Mountains. DAYS JOURNEY SPECTACULAR Guarded by Colorado Sheriffs Arrayed in Western Garb. wlu Await Arrival at Seattle to Dis- suss The BaIlinger-Pinchot
 Contxoyersy-To Open
 Tunnel.
DAYS JOURNEY SPECTACULAR

Pueblo, Colo, Sept. 22-President Taft tonight is crossing the conti- mental divide and tomorrow morning win find himself clear of the Rocky Mountains.
 Tonight at Tennessee Pass the climb to the top of the divide carries the President to an altitude of 10.240 feet.
 For the first time the President travelled through the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas. where at one place the half-mile deep canyon is so nar- row that there Is not room for the track and the river, and the former has to be carried over the rushing waters by means of a hanging bridge, suspended by cables embedded in the rocky walls of the chasm The ride through the canyon was by moonlight. the presidents train having left here at 6:4o and reaching the hanging bridge two hours laeer.
 The President did not feel the alti- tude and at the end of his first week of "one> nigh. stands" he is in splendid health despite the efforts of the hos- pitable West and Its never ending elaborate breakfasts, luncheons and dinners. Mir. Tafts voice also Is in the best of condition. There was a little huskiness for time, but 1t has disap- peared
 Beginning the first of the two days of his Colorado tour. MT. Taft motored four miles out of Denver to breakfa st this morning at the home of Thomas F. Walsh. and at the request of the owner. rechristened as "Clonmel" the estate heretofore known as "Wol- hurst"
 Taking train at wolhurst with an additional train filled with Colorado people as an escort. the President pro- ceeded to Colorado Springs. where he made a brief address In the public park to one of the largest crowds of the trip and then made a hurry-up automobile tour to points of scenic interest At an eminence overlooking the valley of the Garden of the Gods with the Rockies in the background and dark clouds playing tag with Pike's Peak. MT. Taft expressed his admiration of the view with unre- strained enthusiasm.
 From Colorado Springs the party came on to Pueblo. where the Presi- dent left the train at the Mineral Palace Park and was driven at the head of a long procession of auto mobiles to the state fair grounds to face another exuberant throng and to make a brief extemporaneous speech in appreciation of the reception that Colorado has extended to him.
 Ballinwer Joins.
 Secretary of the Interior Ballinger joined the presidential party at Dem yer and will go through to Seattle Wash. with the President. He will assist MT. Taft tomorrow afternoon In the formal progress of the Gunni- son tunnel at Montrose, Colo, the greatest irrigation project the govern ment has ever undertaken.
 Mir. Taft announced today that he will not make his speech upon the subject of the conservation of natural resources-the topic of supreme inter- est in the country through which he will pass during the next two weeks until he reaches Spokane, September 28
 It was at Spokane that the contro- versy between MT. Ballinger and Chief Forester Pinchot arose and Mir. Taft regards 1t as probably the best place to discuss the issue. The brief refer ences he has made in his speeches so far, Mir. Taft has declared that re- clamation work must go on, but that 1t must be done in conformity with the law and that no project will be undertaken until the money for the work is on hand.
 It was learned today that at the same time President Taft wrote his letter to Secretary Ballinger sustain ing him in all that he has done as head of the interior department, ht also wrote a letter to MT. Pinchot Further than to say that he has had frequent correspondence with Mir Pinchot and that they always hay, been the warmest of friends. MT. Taf will not comment upon the matter.
 The presidential tour took on it' first picturesque coloring of the Wes