New-York tribune., 1909-05-19
MR.. TAFT GOES SOUTH
FIRST TRIP SINCE HIS
INAUGURATION.
Petersburg, Packed Nth Visitors
Ascaiting Presidents Arrivol-
Mrs. Taft Better.

Washington, May 1S-President Taft sleeps
tonight aboard the private car Olympia Be
fore he awakens he will have begun his hrst
trip into the South since his Inauguration Inc
car which now stands on siding within the
Union Station, guarded by Secret Service men,
will be attached to the regular early morning
train over the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Po-
tomac Railroad, which leaves Washington at
420 o'clock tomorrow morning.
Arising about o'clock. the President VIII
breakfast aboard the train, and will be all ready
for the reception committee when PETERSBURG
Va. is reached, about o'clock.
Acconpanfed by his military aid, Captain
Archibald w Butt, Mr.. Taft left the White
House in an automobile shortly before II O'Clock
tonight and rode to the Union Station He
went Immediately into the waiting car and soon
afterward retired for the night. Aboard the
same car are Ambassador and Nine Jusserand,
who VIII accompany Mr. Taft the trip. W.
w Mischer one Of the Presidents secretaries,
is the only other member of the party.
The President will return TO Washington on
Friday morning. Tomorrow he will attend the
unveiling at Fort Malone. near Petersburg, OF
a monument erected to the memory Of Pennsyi-
vania soldiers and will deliver an address. Later
he will attend a luncheon and reception given
by the city Of Petersburg"
Tomorrow night the Presidential party will
continue -,
attend the Mecklenburg celebration on Thurs
day.
Before leaving the White House tonight the
President was engaged for several hours with
Mr. Mischler in disposng of mass of corre-
spondence and some other matters which could
not be delayed until his return.
Mrs. Taft, who is unable to accompany the
President on his Southern trip because of a
nervous breakdown. resting comfortably
and was steadily recuperaung. it was announced
at the White House Just before the President's g
departure.
Charlie Taft, the Presidents youngest son.
who underwent an operation on his throat yes
terday. was also reported 70 be improving.
Petersburg. Va May 1s-with promise of
fair weather, with trainloads of visitors coming
into the city. and with every detail of the un-
yelling exercises at Fort Malone, and the al
fresco luncheon and lawn fate at Centre Hill
mansion completed Petersburg is ready for
President Taft, Governor Stuart of Pennsyl-
venia, Governor Swanson, Ambassador Jus
serand and Rear Admiral Sigsbee who will be
her guests to- morrow
Such scenes of activity and such crowds as are
now in Petersburg are unprecedented. Every
hotel, boarding house and many private resi-
dences packed with visitors.
The monument. which Will be unveiled by
descendants OF Northern and Southern generals
who took part in the siege and defence Of Pet
ersburg. is one Of the most imposing ever erect
ed in the South by federal veterans
The ceremonies at Fort Malone will begin
about 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. President
Taft, Governor Stuart and Governor Swanson
will deliver addresses. President Taft and his
party will then be driven into Petersburg. es-
corted by Union and Confederate veterans, mi
iitia bands, civilian organizations artillery, reg
ular army soldiers and the Petersburg Fire De-
partment.
Conspicuous in the escort will be one hundred
of Virginia's leading and wealthiest business
men, attired in black coats. black derbies. white
breech@s and black leggngs All of them Will
be mounted on horses which have taken blue
ribbons at horse shows and fairs.