The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-20
PRESIDENT TAT
VISITS NORFOLK
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~--~~~~~~-~~~>~~-Se 49,
way between the Virginia capes. He said
he had recommended such a fertilization
as Secretary of War and hoped to see
the plan adopted during his term as
president.
Big Oyster Roast.
The President was then taken to Cape
Henry for an old-fashioned oyster roast
The oysters were served with such law
ish hand that when the President arose
to speak he declared he felt like an
oyster.
The waterways delegates, having prac-
tica1ly completed the business of their
convention. gave the day over to partici-
pating in the welcome to the President.
In his speech at Cape Henry the Presi-
dent dwelt again upon the, necessity of
taking up waterway improvements on q
basis of sound business sense rather than
ideals of oratory. Mr.. Taft also told
a story on Speaker Cannon of how he
said he did not see the use of inland
waters when it was only biscuit throw
over into the ocean"
But said the President, that is be-
cause he comes from Illinois. If he had
to go around Cape Hatteras few times
he would understand the difference in a
biscuit throw
Taft Speaks From Chair.
In order to make himself heard at the
oyster roast the President stood on a
chair Next to him sat Andrew Carnegie.
81 feel like an OYSTER" began Mr.. Taft,
land l ought to be as dumb as one, but
when you get on the soil of old Virginia
there is something about it that makes
you feel like talking, and so I have ac-
cepted the invitation to make few brief
remarks.
az am glad to be here where, in spite
of the views of my distinguished neighbor,
Brother Carnegie, that we ought to put
a formidable fortress right here. Both
Brother Carnegie and l are working to-
ward the same end and we believe in
peace, but am not quite so near the mil
lenium as he Is, but we are working In
the same direction and with the same
principles and we don't differ so much.
Seriously speaking, my dear friends,
] think 1t is a ripe moment to say that
conventions are good and speeches are
good of general character in stirring
ur a movement toward result but you
don't reach the result, and you never will
until you get measurements and facts and
details with which those who are respon-
sibe shall become familiar, so as to en-
able them to make plans. draft legisla-
ton and feel confident that the result of
that legislation, when carried out. will
bring about specific benefits. You have
got to be specific. You have got to come
Down to facts in order to get dollars. At
least that is the attitude that Congress is
going to take.
Meaning of Reforms.
You speak of reforms What do you
mean by reforms? Something hazy, some
thing to be described in speech? No.
You mean real progress, real progress ac-
complished by something that works like
ratchet wheel, that holds the progress
you make and then you have to have leg
islation, you have to have practical acts,
and you cannot get practical legislation.
a III you cannot get things at all, unless
you get 1t represented on the statute
books and in the regulations of the ex-
ecutive authority. That is the only text
] have to preach to. And that think Is
a relevant matter in talking to gentlemen
who come as delegates to influence public
opinion. they have got to make their case
COR rlete. When you ask millions out of
treaeury the burden is on you to make
yaDr case
''ljut II ought to be most satisfactory
to you to know that the condition OF the
public mind is ripe for such improve
ments II you will demonstrate the practi-
cabllity of them. the feasibility and the
benefit Of them"