Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-28
Taft Flagship Heard From
Passing GreenviIIe, Miss.
RIVER SCHEDULE IS UPSET
Oleander Six Hours Behind Time on
Way to vicksburg.
THE GOVERNORS GO ASHORE
Breakdown Of the Gray Eagle Com.
pels Landing That Was Not
on the Program.

GREENvILLE. Miss. October os-
President Taft on board the steamer
oleander. passed here this morning short
ly after II O'Clock. according to a mes
sage thrown overheard I'm bottle The
captain Of the vessel expects to reach
Ffcksburg about o'clock tonight. six
hours behind schedule. The program in
Vicksburg will undoubtedly be cut down
simply to the banquet which has been
arranged in honor OF the President.
The waterways feet, which started out
so proudly from ST. Louis, is stretched
along the river, orders having been issued
last night In leaving Helena, Ark, that
every vessel should proceed under her
own speed and maintain any position in
the line she was able TO hold.
The Oieander. being able to outrun any
other boat in the fleet. has forged Tar
ahead. and it is probable that most OF
the steamers will make direct for New
Orleans, cutting out the stops at Vicks-
burg tonight, Natchez tomorrow morn
ing and Baton Rouge tomorrow night In
the hope OF rendezvousing nine miles out
Of New Orleans and entering that city
with the President some time Saturday.
oleander in the Lead.
MEMPHIS. Tenn, October c6.-Presi-
dent Taft and his party are steaminx
down the Mississippi river today en-
Orleans.
The steamer Oleander. carrying the
President, left Helena at 8 o'clock. Ia st
night, two hours behind schedule time.
1t is believed the Oleander will make
up some. of the lost time, as she 10
steaming ahead OF the other vessels.
Vicksburg will probably be reached at
o'clock this evening.
Reports that President Taft would
disembark from the steamer Oieander
at Greenvifle, Miss. and take q train
to Vicksburg are denied by railroad
officials. A dispatch from Greenvil!e
announces that the original plan Of en-
terinz Vicksburg by river will be car
ried out.
The indications are that the President
will arrive late. but it is believed nearly
all Of the program will be completed
for the welcome Of the President and
his party. Weather conditions are Ideal
and ali depends upon the time OF ar
rival OF the visitors.
All vessels were ordered out Of the
Yazoo canal during the hours Of the
VISITING meet presence.
Governors Boat Breaks Down.
Because OF breakdown in the en-
CINE room Of the steamer Gray Ea9ie,
one of the fleet OF boats accompanying
President Taft. and the attendant DANCE
Of the steamer becoming afire, the boat
was run aground ten miles north II
Helena, Ark, last night
The breakdown followed tho dropp IS
Of the CRATES In the freroon. and 1t
was deemed advisable to run the boat
aground and permit the passengers To
disembark
The passengers. including the govern
ors OF several states and other promI-
nent men, boarded other boats Of tie
feet and the voyage continued. reaching
Oteander. was departing. Among those
on board the Gray Eagle were Gov.
Donaghey Of Arkansas, Coy. Shallenber-
ger Of Nebraska, Gov. Prouty OF Yer
tor Warner and members OF the Mis-
souri river delegation from Kansas City.
Delayed Reaching Memphis.
HELENA, Ark. October H.-President
Taft's river schedule went all 10 pieces
yesterday. owing to the inability OF the
vessels following his flagship. the Clean
der, to maintain the designated speed.
The President tried to remain with the
feet as far as possible and delayed his
arrival in Memphis three hours yesterday
in order that the boats carrying the TWEEN
ty-six governors and the III congress
men, as we'll as other vessels carrying
delegates to the waterways convention
in New Orleans, might dock at the same
time
Leaving Memphis an hour and half
late Yesterday afternoon. the Oleander
had to press forward at top speed IN
order to reach Helena at 8 o'clock last
night, two hours behind the scheduled
time In making the run the Oleander
left all Of the other vessels OF the Meet
Tar astern.
Delays have wrought havoc with the
schedule for the remainder OF the trip.
Leaving Helena nearly three hours late,
the President will not reach Ficksburs
until after dark tonight.
Noisy Welcome in Memphis.
Mr.. Taft received a noisy welcome In
Memphis. AS his boat drew UP to the
levee the place swarmed with people. The
roofs of tall buildings fronting the river
also were crowded. The delay Of the ar
rival caused much confusion and two
cabinet officers came near getting left on
the return from the Auditorium. the AUTO
mODtie pan having some Oil oWSy M Inv
confusion.
The President spoke first at Memphis
at the Young Mems Christian Association
building and afterward made q waterway
speech in the Auditorium, in which he
declared that such commercial advantages
as the Mississippi already afforded were
not taken advantage OF as they should be.
He also pointed out the hard work that
would have to be done to start sys-
tenn Of commerce, even after the deep
waterway was assured.
The steamer Oleander was nearly an
hour ahead OF the remainder Of the fleet
and only President Taft's immediate par
ty landed at Helena. The President was
hoarse and spoke with great effort.
Mr. Taft referred 10 the hotilla jestingly
as q travelling show. booked for a full
De rformance and regretted that one part
of the show was called on to all the en-
tire engagement.
AS the fiotilla OF boats was leaving
Helena shortly after 8 O'clock President
Taft went aboard the steamer Quincy for
dinner as the guest Of the III congress
men on board. The Oleander remained
within kailing distance Of the Quincy
while the dinner was in progress and took
the President On board again while the
boats were under way twenty miles be-
low Helena.
FIFTY TAFT HANDsHAKEs.