Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-11-20
FOR IMPROBABLE FORT
BETWEEN VIRGINIA CAPES
Executive Reiterates Desire to See
Chesapeake Bay Proof Against In
vadins Sleet, and Says He Hopes
20 See Project Carried Out Dur
ing His Term-Busy Day.
Nv Associated PressD

(By Associated Press)
NORFOLK, VA. Nov. l9.-As one
OF the concluding features OF the con-
ventiCn of the Atlantic Deeper Water
ways Association, and to accept again
the hospitality OF the people Of the
Old Dominion President Taft came
to Ncricik today. reviewed military
and naval Tarade. made two speeches
n which he bespoke his interest IN
a practical system OF waterway I'M
prOvements to be carried forward on
a business like basis and not merely
as a means Of distributing patronage;
partook OF a Lynnhaven oyster roast
under the shadows of the towering
Cape Henry lighthouse and attended
a smoker in honor of large corps OF
visiting newspaper men.
The President retired tonight on
hoard the naval yacht Mayfiower on
which he made the journey from
Washington 10 Norfolk. The May
flower will remain at anchor in Nor
folk harbor until tomorrow morning
when she will get under way for
Hampton. where the President will
attend in the forenoon a meeting OF
the board OF trustees of the Hampton
Normal Institute. of which he is a
member In the afternoon he will
deliver an address to the cOlored
students of the institute and then sail
f-r Washington.
Mrs. Taft Sight seeing.
Mrs. Taft accompanied the Presi-
dent 10 Norfolk today and while he
was \reviewing the big parade in his
honor and later was making an open
air address from the reviewing stand.
Mrs TAFT and her sister, Mrs. Thorn
as X. Laughlin. Jr.. CT Pitts5urS,
came ashore from the Mayflower and
went on a long sightseeing excur-
sion. They visited among other
places famous Old st. Pauls Episco-
pal church. which still shows the
wounds OF the revolutionary war.
The mistress of the White House
and her sister were quite unrecog-
nized in all the excitement of the
crush to see and hear the President.
Mr.. Taft was the dinner guest of Fer
gus Reid. CT this city. and a company
Of Norfolk people with Mrs. TAFT
dined aboard the Mayflower.
The Presidents visit was made the
occasion of probably the NEST nota-
Bile celebration the city has ever had.
At no time during the jamestown
Exposition did Norfolk seem 10 be
arocsea TO the same pitch of enthus-
iasm as today and never before nave
the decorations approached the dis
play which greeted Mr. Taft when ne
stepped ashore shortly after . O'Clock
this morning.
Speaks a Word for the Navy.
A reception to the Norfolk commit
teemen and the delegates TO the
waterways convention began Joday's
rrogram and then followed the parade
and speech by the Precedent from a
reviewing stand erected at the base
Of the Confederate monument. In his
speech there. the President. after de-
failing his views as TO waterways i'm
provement spoke a word for the Unit
Cd states navy. declaring that the
prestige cf the nation demands that
the navy be kept up to a high stand
ard cf fierce and efficiency.
Tho President also declared that he
was in favor Of fortifyinc Hampton
Road. the greatest stategic naval
base in the world. by erecting an I'M
pregnable fort on an island placed
half way between the Virginia caDes-
He sad H. had recommended such
fertilization a. secretary Of war ana
hoped 10 see the plan adopted during
his term as president.
Oyster Roast at Cape Henry.
The President was taken by special
train 10 Cape Henry for the old
fashioned oyster roast. The oysters
were served % temptinely and lavish
u that when the President arose 10
speak b. declared he felt like an
oyster.
The waterways delegates having
practically completed the business OF
fContinucd on Seventh PageD