The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-10-25
TRAVELLING WITH TAFT
ISpecial Correspondence

lioIal chief executive Is required rig
oro,iSly to conform or suffer the con-
sequences of defying fashions die
tateS. But 1t is only necessary 10
glance back through the pages of the
nations history To discover that the
presidential tour is NOT d modern in
vention. As Il distinct episode of ad
miniSlrative history ii first appears
during the term of President James
Monroe. Bent on investigating condi-
tionS of government at first hand.
Monroe in 1917 executed the first
swing around the circe-a journey
only IL fraction of the Taft tour in
length. but in those days quite as re-
markable feat. While Taft will
compass $4,000 miles in eight weeks.
Monroe consumed three and IA half
months in covering about 5000 miles.
First Presidential Pilgrimage.
President Monroe. journeying up
through Baltimore. Philadelphia and
New York into New England and then
swinging west through Buffalo as far
as Detroit. was the guest of the usual
reception committees of politicians
and representative citizens all along
the route. He listened to the Gus
tomary speeches of welcome and in
reply outlined the policies of his adj
ministration. He spurred the hopes
of the Detroit inhabitants to be taken
speedily into the Union. even as Pres
ident Taft may find it possible to en-
courage the hopes Of Arizona and
New Mexico for statehood
Problems of Other Days.
In the problems of government that
concerned the president on his jour-
ney appears the principal contrast be-
tween that day and this. While Pres
ident Taft is inquiring into the feel
ing of the people about tariff revision.
investigating the protection Of natural
resources, studying the development
of waterways and turning the waters
into vast irrigating systems. President
+ Monroe chiefly was concerned with in
curing into the condition Of the ma
tons defenses against foreign inva-
sion.
Taft at the Alaska Exposition.
President Taft spent the greater part
| of two days at Seattle viewing the
city and inspecting the great Alaska
Yukon exposition. He lunched the
| first day in the New York state build
! ing. after which he addressed gath
ering in the national amphitheater.
| AT the conclusion Of the exercises the
president visited the Pay Streak and
| other interesting features Of the expo
| sition and in the evening attended a
| banquet in the Washington state
| building. The exposition management
| provided a number of special features
| In honor Of President Taft's visit, such
as special musical programs and elab-
crate Examinations and fireworks. Fri
day evening. Oct ]. President Taft
| spent in Tacoma. which he reached by
| special boat from Seattle. Here the
truthfulness of that signboard legend.
"You'll Like Tacoma" was proved be-
yond doubt. as the president smilingly
observed. Then came a night trip to
Portland. which was reached Satur-
| day morning. Oct. 2. In the afternoon
the president addressed the public at
the National Guard armory. where
also was held general reception in
the evening. Later a banquet was
served at the Hotel Portland. at which
$50 guests were present. The follow
ing Sunday afternoon President Taft
laid the cornerstone for the First Uni
versalist church of Portland. Of which
DR.. James D. Cosby is pastor.
Taft In California.
President Taft reached Sacramento.
his first stopping place in California.
at 7:10 p m. Monday. Oct. 4, after a
ride Of twenty-five hours from Port
land. Governor Gillett met him at the
state line and introduced him from
the platform at the large stations COM
ing down the valley. Autos met the
| train and conducted the president and
his party on tour through the city
and then to Capitol park. where the
president made an address. By re-
quest from Beverly the plans for a
public banquet had been abandoned
| for the reason that the president was
obliged to leave Sacramento at 4:2O
the following morning.
Oakland and San Francisco.
Although President Taft spent less
than a day in San Francisco. great in
genuity was shown in arranging the
program. His special car reached
Oakland Oct 5. and be was the guest
of the suburban city until noon. Then
he crossed the bay In government
tug in charge of the committee Of ar
rangements and on reaching the ferry
building was. escorted through gayly
decorated streets under the escort OF
troops from the Preside. The presi-
dent had stipulated that not more
than two horses be attached to his
carriage and that no fireworks Of any
kind be discharged within a mile of
the route.
| After this parade the president was
taken In an auto through the burned
district and shown the improvements
made In three and half years. Lunch
| was taken at the Union League club.
Three Days In Yosemite.
In the evening the president was the
guest of honor at a great dinner at
the Paramount hotel. All the leading
men of the city attended this banquet,
one Of the most costly and elaborate
ever given on the western coast.
/