The San Francisco call., 1909-10-07
Will VISIT SHOW PLACE

and his party will be driven TO Wa
wona at the edge of the grove. where
real monarchs of the forest grow.
WILL VISIT SHOW. PLACES
Friday afternoon the president will
enter the park from one of the highest
points and after a trip to all the show
places of the upper levels viii begin
descent to the floor. which is inclosed
by almost perpendicular cliffs more
than 5000 feet in height.
When the park officials heard that
the president was coming they ar
ranged to have a troop of United States
cavalry act as his escort for the day
among the big trees and the two days
in the valley. Taft was Informed of
the plans at San Francisco and he
asked al once that the escort be dis
pensed with. He is anxious that the
trip through the park shall be devoid
of spectacular features and that his
visit shall be relieved as much as pos
sible of an official aspect. The presi-
dent was tired from his strenuous day
in San Francisco. Oakland and Berke
ley yesterday and retired early tonight
in the little hotel here.
John Muir, the noted naturalist and
geologist. who is the recognized au-
thority on all matters Of the Yosemite,
Joined the presidents party at San
Francisco this morning and will per-
sonally explain the wonders of the park
and valley 10 Taft.
PARTY LIMITED IN SIZE
Taft viii be accompanied into the
big tree grove and into the park only
by members of his own party and a
California delegation consisting of
Governor Gillett, Senator Flint and
Representatives Needham, McKinlay
and Englebright.
he ri x int rfol Z,
furnished a foretaste of the scenery
that the next three days have in store
for the president Leaving Merced at
2:30 D. M, after an eventful run down
the famous San Joaquin valley, the
presidents train began~an so mile run
to the terminus Of the Yosemite Valley
railroad at this place. For more than
three-fourths of the way the train
wound along the Merced river, with its
series OF waterfalls, and kept continu-
ally climbing from the level of the sea
to a height here of more than 1000
feet. The president made several car
end speeches at thriving little Califor-
MIA cities between San Francisco and
Merced.
Is GIVEN GOLF STICK
At Merced the president was pre-
sented with another golf stick. 1t was
made OF eucalyptus wood, gold mounted.
The presentation called out a golf
speech, in which the president sug-
gested a new use for the unirrigated
land of the west, the turning of it into
open golf links for the public. Taft
said: Il am very much touched by your
kindness in giving this to me, this me-
mento of my visit. 1t has reference to
the game of which ! am very fond. The
game of golf is an old Scotch game.
played in Scotland by everybody from
boys to old men and from the poorest
to the wealthiest. They have there
what they call open links that is. golf
grounds devoted to the public, and /
sincerely hope that in this country the
game will spread"
While winding slowly up the pic
turesque canyon of the Merced river
from Merced to Ell Portal this evening
the presidents train bumped into a
hand car which section hand was try
ing to get off the track. The car was
but little damaged. no one was hurt,
and there was no delay. The train be-
came stalled on a heavy grade Just
below Ell Portal. and it was necessary
to split it in two. the president coming
in on the second half. The engine was
No. %.