The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-20
Great Entertainment Is Fur nished Business Mems Club
 By the President-EIect
ENJOYS FINE DINNER
 WITHOUT AN ADDRESS
Tn the Afternoon MT. Taft Delivers An Address Before the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce as
 Farewell Message.

Cincinnati, February 19.-Fresident- t-efect William H. Taft was tonight made Knocker lat sight" His initiation fur nished entertainment for 100 prominent business and professional men of the city at the Knockers annual dinner.
 Cinclnnati's Knockers organization is an auxiliary of it's Business Mems club. Its particular business is to knock hard and effectively everything tending to hin der the material advancement of the city, and to originate and promote enterprises and undertakings for the city's welfare. It Is unique in that 1t has no known or ganization and no one knows who are its members It makes members of whom 1t pleases and dismisses them at will. The annual dinners of the Knockers club have become famous for their entertain ment features, and the stunts which begin with the first course and continue throughout, though mirthful are all cal culated to have origin in some serious purpose of advancement.
 The President-elect was not allowed to make speech, which was interpreted as delicate compliment from his towns men, who were in fact saying farewell to him as a private citizen. AS the guest of honor at the dinner it was his first escape from oratory for 20 years. The tension upon MT. Taft was made even lighter than freedom from speaking, skilfully made up double" represented him in the entertainment features, oceu- pying a conspicuous place at raised table with Uncle Sam and Miss Co., lumbia."
 Beautiful Draperes.
 The rooms of the Business Mems club were resplendent in draperies of flags and in decorations of ferns and flowers. At each of the 16 tables sat appropriately costumed Knocker to represent one of IS foreign nations, and during the evening messages to the President-elect was made known from each.
 Emperor William wireless message was announced to MT. Taft as kiss for each cheek and the hope that the Senate would not find it necessary to reduce the presidential salary before the new Pres ident could get in. Miss Columbia got one of the kisses.
 With hands upon MT. Tafts cranium Persia's representative told the assem- bled Knockers of the thoughts passing through his brain, as this:
 ''He is just now congratulating himself that he was made Mason at sight-and so is the goat"
 The ceremony of declaring the guest of honor Knocl1er 'at sight was conduct ed in total darkness, with rumbngs of thunder and flashes of lightning, and con- cluded the festivities at table. The evolu- tion of the Taft smile was afterward de- picted through moving pictures in the as f sembly hall of the club through which the scenes of notification day were enacted. Vaudeville features followed un- til the hour was late.
 During the day MT. Taft made an ad- dress before the chamber of commerce on the floor of the stock exchange
 Farewell Address.
 Addressing the members of the Gin cinnati Chamber of Commerce in what was really farewell to his home city before being inaugurated President, William H. Taft today evoked the heartiest cheers and applause of the thousands of business men and many women by his remarks of familiarity and friendships for his townsmen and neighbors.
 The brief speech was not ended how ever, without serious reference to the material prosperity of the oity.
 This led Mr. Taft to discussion of the improvements of the Ohio, to which he gave his unqualified and hearty ap- proval. He believed the improvement of the Ohio to be further advanced to a certainty of accomplishment than the other waterway improvements plans.
 Regarding all of these plans he spoke most favorably, saying that they should receive his heartiest support as Presi- dent. But he cautioned that patience be cultivated for the reason that Con- gress very properly moved slowly.
 At the present time he said a deficit of hundred million dollars confronted those responsible for the government. Tl.e revival of business after the tariff had been settled MT. Taft believed would take care of the deficit. Refer ring to the Panama canal MT. Taft de- clared with a great degree of positive ness that the type of canal had been determined upon and the minority which had opposed the plan adopted might as well come in and back up the work
 Panama Canal.
 But" he added "whe ether they do come in or not it is going to be built according to the present plans"
 Speaking of the good it would do to those on the isthmus who are ragged in the work if they have the American people backing up heir efforts MT. Taft said:
 T know the people of the United States intend to stand back of them. and I propose so far as in me lies to assure them that while I am President they will have my backing to the last dollar necessary"
 Charles Nagle. who is believed to be slated for the Secretaryship of Con- merce and Labor in the Taft cabinet, reached here late today for an inter- view with MT. Taft. Mr. Nagle had no communication for publication.
 Charle Nagle of St. Louis, whc is understood to be slated for Secretary of Commerce and labor in the Taft cabinet, had conference with MT. Taft today. but neither would talk for pub