The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30
WAIT FOR TAFT.
Expectant Thousands Line the
Bank of the River
In Anticipation Of the Presi-
dents Arrival.
FIRING BEGINS EARLY.
New Orleans Starts Burning
Powder at Dawn.
''Dig Her Deep Through Dixie"
Is the Slogan.
FIRING BEGINS EARLY.

dred thousand enthusiastic citizens, who
lined the banks of the Mississippi. Pres
ident Taft arrived at New Orleans at
10 o'clock this morning, bringing to
successful conclusion his long trip down
the river from st. Louis. 1t was re-
ception well worthy of the president
and that he enjoyed it was evident.
The president. standing on the bridge
of the Trim and speedy little Oleander,
marked among the group of his personal
encourage by his huge figure, he bowed
and smiled happily at the enthusiasm
of the throng, turning now and then
to whisper a comment to one of his
party.
battieship Mississippi ceased splitting
Out their noisy greeting and while Cap
tain Marshall in command of the
squadron. stood on the bridge, the
Oleander rounded to and crept up to
the wharf at the foot of Canal street.
PLENTY of water here. Mr.. President"
remarked the pilot. I'VE have now
nearly 200 feet beneath u.s.
A moment later the formal reception
committee was TN board and the presi-
dent was escorted to the landing Pres
i6ent Taft and his party were quickly
placed in carriages and the big parade
up Canal street began.
Reviews the Parade
The principal streets of the city were
traversed and when the st. Charles Ilo-
TEL the. home of the presidential party
for two days, was reached, the presi-
dent left the carriage and reviewed the
procession from the balcony Throngs
in front of the hotel were limited only
by space and liberalitv of the police
The arrangements. to protect the pres
ident seemed fiawless. There was d
uniformed patrolman every six feet on
the line of march and as fast as the
presidential party passed one point, de-
tails of police were hurried ahead to
serve at some other. Everywhere there
were detectives and secret service men.
Immediately after the parade re-
ception of officials by the president was
arranged and later he retired to get a
little rest.
Meantime the waterways convention
had been called to order. The president
accepted an invitation to luncheon with
Archbishop Blenk at noon. After
noon. First he drove to the big Jesuit
college and spoke a few words to the
students. Then he hurried to the
Athenum, where he addressed the
waterways convention
After listening to Pinchot's speech for
a few moments, the president drove in
an automobile to the principal points of
interest in the city. stopping to see
few plays Of the Tulan-Mississippi foot
ball game to dedicate Taft field. BY
this time it was time to dress for the
formal dinner at. the Pickwick club and
a tired. but happy president, was
whirled back to the hotel
Shooting Begins Early.
New Orleans, Oct. 30.-Long before
President Taft's boat, the Oleander, had
reached even the outskirts of the city
today. crowds of expectant people lined
the river to witness the arrival and to
mingle their cheers with the deafening
noise of the whistles. The firing of
salutes to the f1otilla bearing perhaps
the most distinguished party of passen-
gers that ever Travelled down the Mis-
sissippi was begun with the coming
dawn and repeated at frequent inter-
walls by delegations from towns and vii
lagos along the river for miles above
here.
Soon thereafter the hundreds OF
members of various committees to re-
ceive the president, cabinet officers.
governors congressman and foreign
dignitaries began gathering at the head
of Canal street. Then came the sailors
and marines from the warships in the
harbor, various military organizations
and other bodies to participate in one
of the most notable paradeS of the kind
in the history of the city. On every
side a profusion of waving flags, red,
white and blue streamers and other
| decorations garb the city in gala attire
and conspicuously displayed among all
| this. the slogans of fourteen feet
through the valley" and dig her deep
| through Dixie,'' sound the keynote of
| the occasion of the deep waterways
| convention.
| The visit of President Taft to the
home Of Archbishop Blenk for luncheon
today just prior to his address before
| the waterway convention this afternoon
marks the second time the president
| has been entertained there. While he
tertained by the late Archbishop
Cha pelle. with whom he became &C
quainted in the Philippines.
Taft Has Fun With "Uncle joe"
Baton Rouge, Oct 3o--Although he
| arrived here more than three hours
late, President Taft's river schedule
went great deal better yesterday ano
there was not~a daylight hour that the
twelve boats constituting the water
ways fleet from ST. Louis to New. Or
leans were not in sight of the flagship
The president made two stops-a'
Natchez, ION the HILL" and here.
The principal reason that the flee
| kept together was the slackening o.
the speed of the Oleander by bad Goa
and choked fires.
At Natchez the president was driver
! about the interesting old city, visited
| the grave of S.. S. Prentiss and made
speech in which he likened the Missls
/ sippj river to beautiful and power
full woman likely to be the cause o
trouble and to be treated with tn
smoke on the bluff at Natchez in {
court of honor.
! A horse shoe of gafly decorated
!, boxes surrounded the speakers stant
and each box was. filed with prett,
women. It was one of the most uniqu
, and pretty scenes of the trip.
The president visited three vessel
, of the fleet for short period, eatint
two of the luncheons as a part of tn
? program. On the trip down the river
: fhe president has had considera bl,
!, fun with Speaker Cannon. who ha
/ been called upon for an address a
nearly every place Mr.. Taft had ap
: peared The speaker usually follow
= the president with the declaration tina
. he favors his suggestion for the i'm
1 provement of the waterways
4 Called upon for speech on on
s of the boats the president said:
"All can agree to do now is Z