Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-11-20


throw over into the ocean"
But" said the President. that is
because he comes from Illinois. II
he had to go around Cape Hatteras
few times he would understand the
difference in a biscuit throw"
In order to make himself heard at
the oyster roast. which was held in
a low ceiled pavilion the President
stood on a chair. Next 10 him sat
Andrew Carnegie. who joined the
Presidential party this morning.
Not So Near the Millennium.
Il feel like an oyster" began Mr..
Taft. and ought to be as dumb as
one; but when you get on the soil
OF old Virginia. there is something
about ii that makes you feel like talk
ing. and so | have accepted the invi-
tation to make few brief remarks.
Il am glad TO be here by the ocean
side am glad to taste the best
oysters with the best flavor that
have ever tasted before. | am glad
to be here where. in spite of the
views of my distinguished neighbor.
Brother Carnegie, We ought 10 put a
Brother Carnegie and | are working
towad the same end. and we believe
in peace. ] am not quite so near the
millennium as he is. but we are work
ing Ia the same direction and with
the same principles, and We don't dit
fer so much.
Il am delighted to meet the dele
gates of this association under these
| am delighted toI
meet the representatives of the Wash
ington press under these circum-
stances. There is nothing that brings
men 50 near to truthful understanding
as a dinner. and that is what we want
to bring the press to.
About the Waterways.
Now about this waterways asso-
citation. | have heard gentlemen-i
think heard our distinguished speak
er intimate that he did not see what
was the necessity OF a waterway
when 1t was only a biscuit throw
over into the ocean, hut that is be- |
cause he comes from Illinois. If in
the discharge of his duty it had been
his fate as ii has been mine, to go
around this neighboring Cape Hat
teras. he would understand the differ |
ence in biscuit throw.
He would know that there is some
thing in quiet water. If he does not |
believe it. let him get on the Sylph |
Dr. the Mayiower and travel up from
here when there is a good strong |
wind blowing In Hampton Roads. and
tell the difference between Chesa-
reake Bay and the Potomac river.
He would tell it in his stomach.
Seriously speaking my dear
friends. | think it is a ripe moment
% say that conventions are good ana
speeches are good of general char
acter in stirring up a movement to-
ward a result, but you can't reach
he result and you never will until
you get measurements and facts snd
details with which those who are re-
;ponsible shall become familiar. SO as
egislation and feel confident that the
result OF that legislation when car
ried out. will bring about specific
You have got to be specific.
You have got to come down TO facts
n order to get dollars. At least that
s the attitude that congress is going
% take; | don't know what the scope
Of your vision is. but mine is limited
by congress. II is the question what
he representatives of the people will
10 with reference to accomplishing |
What Are Reforms?
You speak of reforms. What do
you mean by reforms? Something
hazy. something beautiful. something |
to be described in speech? No, that |
IS not what you men. You mean real |
Lrcgress. real progress accomplished
by something that works like racnet |
wheel. that holds the progress you
make. and then you have to have leg
you have to have practical
acts. and you cannot get practical leg
slation and you cannot get tnings at
all unless you get It represented on
the statute book and in the reguia-
tons OF the executive authority.
That is the only text l have 10
preach to you. And that ] think Is a
relevant matter in talking to gentle
men who come as delegates to in
fuence public opinion-they have got
to make their case complete When
YOU ask millions out of the treasury
the burden is on you to make your
case. But it ought to be most salts
fsctTy to you to know that the condi-
ton of the public mind is ripe for
such Improvements If You will DEM
ons,rste the prscticability of them.
the feasibility and the benefit OF
them