The Washington herald., 1909-11-20

Norfolk. Va. Nov. I9.-President Taft
stood up on an ordinary chair over at
the Cape Henry to-day with Andrew Car
negie ON his right and Representative J.
Hampton Moore, OF Philadelphia, presi-
dent Of the Atlantic Deeper Waterways
Association. on his left, and told almost
1000 Virginia notables. delegates to the
Waterways convention and visiting news
paper men that any one who asks for a
few million dollars to improve waterways
or anything else. has got TO show the
government. and particularly Congress,
that no has a good case"
Besides telling the assembled water
ways enthusiasts, who cheered him till
the frail roof over the Cape Henry
Casino shook. just how they should so
after appropriations, the President took
TING TO eat more than a dozen Of the
finest Lynnhaven Bay oysters. II is.
stated upon the very highest authority
that Mr.. Taft succeeded in disposing Of
this number and ne himself. when he
started to speak awarded the palm to
Virginia for good eating.
Mrs. Taft Dimes Out Also.
When he came back to Norfolk from
the oyster roast the President went over
10 Client. the fashionable section Of Nor
folk. with Mrs Taft and took dinner at
the home Of Fergus Reid Gov Swan
son. of Virginia, Andrew Carnegie. and
other prominent waterways persons were
among the guests. Afterward the Presi-
dent dropped in at the Monticello Hotel
20 look al the monster smoker. which the
waterways association gave for the dele
gates and the newspaper men.
Taking It all IN ali, the President had
a very satisfactory day. even If he was
compelled 20 talk against a strong wind
In tho morning with a sore throat. and
felt obliged 10 respond TO call for
speech at the oyster roast. TO which he
had come merely TO eat and be happy.
Delighted with virginia.
He expressed delight with Virginia hos
pltality, the Virginia method Of cooking
oysters. and the Virginia women at Cape
Henry. much to the delight OF the crowd.
which stood up and cheered FOR several
minutes
The oyster roast was not a formal ar
fair by any means The President lust
came in to the tune of Dixie" marched
up a long aisle on the second floor OF
the big Casino, out on the sand dunes at
Cape Henry, and took his flag-draped
chair quietly.
When Andrew Carnegie came in. he
too. was greeted with handclapping by
the waterwayers. and the President
smiled over 10 him.
First OF the course came the oysters.
large Lynnhaven Bay fellows, over which
the President. # is alleged upon reliable
authority. fingered for many minutes
Next came a little breathing period IN
which the Chief Executive was allowed
20 part with bit of real Virginia Smith
field ham while talking 20 Representa-
tive Moore. and then came more oysters.
Moore Shows Him Art of Enting.
This time they brought them in IN huge
pans in the shell and steaming hot To ap-
preciate the properly roasted oysters one
has to learn the old Virginia way of eat
ing them. Representative Moore. who
comes from Pennsylvania. showed Mr..
Taft how 20 pick up nice fat oyster.
place II in a dish OF hot butter. stir #
gently. and eat
When the President rose to speak ne
had difficulty in making the crowd listen
Everybody or most everybody had
eaten SO many Lynnhavens. had drowned
the war so deeply I'm old musty ale. and
other things so frequently that there was
a general attempt at conversation Rep
resentative Moore secured quiet at last
and MIR. Taft spoke briefly on waterways
and other things.
Congress and Taft "frOm Missouri. -
when you ask for 100000 out Of the
Treasury" he said. you have got 10
make your case. You've got 70 be spe-
eihc 10 get dollars; at least, you've got
20 be specific to get dollars out OF Con-
Eress. don't know yours, but my Iini-
tntions are imposed by Congress. You've
got TO show that your project IS a project
which will really benefit the whole coun-
try.
Il don't agree with my friend Cannon.
who SAYS that he didn't see any use II
deeper waterways when they were only n
biscuit throw from the ocean. But he's
from Illinois. and I guess Il accounts Tor
that They haven't any deep waterways
out there"
Believes I'm FOrtifcatiOns,
Referring again to a subject mentioned
early IN the day. tho President directed
a smiling shot at Andrew Carnegie. his
table member
Tn spite Of views OF my brother. Car
negie." he said. Il am in favor of spend
ing money on fortihcations. I believe
that the middle ground should be forti-
fed and made impregnable."
Turning to other subjects. the President
spoke Of the women of Virginia, He
said that so far as he had been able TO
see, after travelling some 1900 miles
around the circle, there were no women
that could compare to them.
AT least" he said, that's what Gov.
Swanson tells me"
The President went over 70 Cape Henry
from Norfolk in a special train and came
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