The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-27
Passes Hickman, hv Shortly AfIGr 4 O'Clock YeSter-
 day Afternoon
THE WEATHER IS IDEAL
 FOR PRESIDENTIAL TRIP
MT. Taft Intimates To Close Friends That He Does Not Particularly "Hanker" After 'Possum
 Meat.

MCdls
 Hickman, Ky. October 26-After 24 hours on the Mississippi river with a mile or so on the Ohio thrown in Pres ident Taft arrived here shortly after 4 o'clock and made an address from a stand erected on the levee. This being MT Tafts only stop in Kentucky on his re. cent trip. people came from all parts of the state to greet him.
 Tonight the excursion fleet of a dozen or more packets. which the President is leading to the Lakes to the Gulf Deep Waterway convention at New Orleans, is proceeding down the big river un- der a brilliant moon just rounding to fullness. The weather is delightful, cool and more fitting season for the voyage could hardly have been planned
 President Taft is finding the river trip a bit resting and enjoyable On the light house tender Oleander he Is surrounded only by few members of his own party and is the guest of Commander E. H. Tillman of the United States navy in charge of the lighthouse district from
 
 than 1000 miles.
 Commander Tillman has been on tho Mississippi river for four years and knows it's possibilities. it's difficulties. it's disappointments and 1t vagares about as well as anybody. The President is hope. ful that some plan can be devised by which ten feet of water can be secured at all seasons to the gulf He saw to- day many caving banks. evidences of how the channel constantly is un- dergoing radical changes and how the piecemeal work of improvement in the past has gone for practically nothing.
 Voice Is Husky.
 In the three brief speeches he deliv- cred with husky voice today at Cape Girardeau, Mo, at Cairo, H., and here. Mir Taft reiterated his position in favor of deep waterways where it can be dem onstrated that the plans for improve ment are feasible. are necessstty and can be carried into completion without a too great expenditure of money.
 At Cairo. H., the President was fol- lowed by Speaker Cannon. who declared that he approved President Tafts declar- ation in nearly every particular, and wished he could approve them in all. He still balks, however, at the Presi- dents proposition to issue bonds to carry forward the work of improvement once 1t has been decided upon. He declared the work should be carried on only as rapidly as it can be paid for out of current funds in the treasury
 The President tonight was the guest of the governors, who are making the trip down the river on the steaemer St. Paul which mmediately follows the Oleander He had been invited to dinner last night but was so fatigued and worn out from the effort of speaking several times in et4 4. .,4 l,. T ta k- sod until this evening.
 That 'Possum Again.
 The St. Paul was brought up in mid stream alongside the Presidents boat this evening and lashed there while he and his party were conducted on board The same proceeding was gone through today shortly after the fleet left Cairo and the President was presented with 'possum already cooked and surround ed by delicious sweet potatoes ready to he served at his luncheon table. While the possum was being transferred to the Oleander a band on the St. Paul played the old negro melody "Carve Dat 'Possum: Carve Him to the Heart AL though the impression has gained ground since the Atlanta dinner of last winter that the President was fond of 'possum. today was only the third time he has eaten it. Although enjoying the novelty of the dish MT. Taft has admitted to his most intimate friends that he does not altogether "hanker" after 1t as steady article of diet.
 Leaving Cairo today, Postmaster Gen eral Hitchcock and Secretary Nagel of the department of commerce and labor, who had made the trip from St. Louis to this point on the steamer Erastus Wells, joined the President on the Oleander. They also were guests of the governors at dinner tonight. Secretary of War Dick inson will rejon the party of the Presi- dent at Memphis tomorrow.
 President Rises.
 The President arose before daylight to keep his appointment at Capt Girardeau. It was his earliest speech of the trip and he declared he rather enjoyed the novel, ty of spea king to the rising sun. The President said he also enjoyed the nov city at Cape Girardeau of being escorted to the speaking stand by a man larger than himself. attributing that distinction to Eugene Regenhardt. chairman of the reception committee, who was the Presi- dents superior in height and almost, is not equal in breadth. He has sons named for President Mckinley and Roosevelt.
 Whenever the Presidents boat passed today a point of the river near settle ment the banks were lined with people, WlO SuOultb Sictlih6 tO hiil ofSi tiAC waters.
 Interesting Feature.
 The zg-zag course taken by the Clean der in following the channel, which leads from one side to the other often took President Taft within speaking distance of those gathered on the banks. Shouts from small groups who were up late last night to see the fleet go by seemed al- most to come from the very decks of the Presidents boat. Flights of wild ducks and geese frightened from the river bars by the passing boats were an interesting feature of the day. Two boats of the fleet the st. Paul and the Erastus Wells. touched sandbars last night, but slid over them. with but little delay.
 Pa ssing the congressional boat, which 1t was stated in St. Louis had been pro vlded with nine poker tables, President Taft today called out to Speaker Can non on the hurricane deck: If you can catch anybody blufring. Uncle Joe. take the money.
 Helena Preparing
 Helena Ark. October Pc Helena tonight