The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1909-02-12

New Orleans, La, Feb. 11.Pres-
ident-elect Taft landed here shortly
before o'clock this afternoon from
Panama and was most enthusiastical-
" received by the entire city, whose
guest is is to be until Saturday
morning. Mr.. Taft made q brief
speech this afternoon in which he
heartily approved the present lock
type Of canal across the Isthmus Of
Panama. He reviewed a parade of en-
thusiastic citizens miles in length
and tonight attended one of the car
nival season balls, that Of the Elves
Of Oberon. Mr.. Taft will tomorrow
address the negro Y. M. G. A., spend
several hours in automobiling and at
night be the guest OF honor at an
elaborate banquet, at which nearly
500 prominent citizens will pay $25
a plate to participate. Saturday
morning the president will go
to Cincinnati, from where on Mon
day he will leave for Washington,
Returning again TO Cincinnati We'd
nesday.
Mr.. Taft received the first news
of the constitutional question which
has been raised against the appoint
ment Of Mr.. Knox to a cabinet pos..-
tion by wireless yesterday, when he
was apprised. not only by press mes
sages, but by a dispatch giving the
views of Senator Knox. That he
was somewhat disturbed over the sit
uation last night was admitted, but
early today he received the news Of
the disposition Of congress to amend
the cabinet salary law by making
the pay of the secretary of state
what it was before the recent in
crease and he was inclined to take
this as a happy solution Of the diff
Guilty. Pending conference on the
matter, which will take place be-
tween Mr.. Taft and Senator Knox
| in Washington, next Wednesday, the
'president-elect regards it as impolitic
to discuss the situation for publica-
''tion.
| The inability Of the board Of civil
engineers to complete their report
on the resolutions regarding their
advices has been asked regarding the
Panama Canal, made the Washing
ton visit planned by Mr.. Taft neces-
sary.
The engineers will go at once to
Washington to complete their work.
! It may be stated that their report
will be complete approval Of pres
ent plans and methods on the 18TH
mus. They will not only recommend
the construction Of the Gatun Dam,
but give 1t as their Judgment that
the dam will be perfectly safe II built
to a height Of II s instead OF 1876
feet, thus saving expense In construc-
ltion. Other features Of their report
will deal with the thickness Of cem-
ent required for the walls and floors
lof the locks; devices for handling
ships In the locks and the approval
Of the $4,000, 900 breakwaters at
Colon, the construction Of which will
create harbor out of the present
open roadstead. The failure Of the
|engineers to complete their report
was said to be their desire for care
full consideration regarding just the
manner OF stating thei rconclusions,
rather than any Disagreement re-
4 lgarding what those conclusions are.
In his speech on the steps OF the
city hall here today Mr.. Taft made,
what he said, was his summing oi
his recent trip. /.
aIua here on my way from q
\ great conslTuctiw work" he said
latter paying his compliments to hi
audiences. The greatest entered up.
on by any nation during the present
1.-TWO centuries. and ] am glad to a,