Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-12
NEW ORLEANS HONORS TAFT
Prssident-elect Given Elaborate and
Enthusiastic Welcome.
TALKS ON CANAL PROSPECTS
He says Engineers Have Approved
Lock System Plans for Gatun
Dam and that work IL
ProEressinE Rapidly.

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 1-President-
elect william Fl. Taft landed here shortly
before 8 O'Clock this afternoon from Pan
anna, and was enthusiastically received.
MIR. Taft made a brief speech this after
noon, heartily approving the present lock
tine OF canal across the isthmus. Tomor-
row he VIII address the negp Young Mems
Christian association, and at night be the
guest or honor at an elaborate banquet.
Saturday he will 60 TO Cincinnati. On
Monday he will go 10 Washington, return
ing again to Cincinnati. Wednesday.
Mr.. taft received by wireless telegraph
the news Of the question rasied against
the appointment of Secretary Knox as
secretary OF state. He was somewhatedis-
turbed over the situation last night but
early today he received the news of the
dis position OF congress to amend the cabi-
net salary law and he was inclined to take
this as a happy solution OF the difficulty.
Pending a conference with Senator Knox
in Washington next Wednesday the presi-
dont-elect regards 1t as impolitic TO dis
cuss the question for publication.
No Cabinet Announcements.
MIR. TAFT said he shcS.a adhere to his
previously announced plan OF remaining
silent regarding his cabinet and also keep
ing -snppintNents ePeB.uhtil the last mo-
ment to provide against possible contin-
seneies that may occur. Mr.. Taft said he
expected to get some Information he had
asked to be obtained for him during his
absence. The arrival here this afternoon
of Frank II. Hitchcock and the presence
here OF J. c. Schaffer, owner OF the Chi
cago Evening Post, on whose judgment
MIR. Taft said he should place weight re-
gsrding cabinet ssplrants from the vicinity
OF Chicago. made 1t apparent that cabinet
activities have begun. There was a report
that J. NJ. Dickins of Asheville was being
considered for the war portfolio.
From what MIR. Taft said today II is
fair inference that he has, as yet decided
on no one for The treasury portfolio. bu
thai as TO the other places his ideas ar
decidedly moredefinite.
On the trip from Panama. Mr.. Taft mad
the first draft of hts inaugural address.
This he intends TO submit to certain friend
IN Washington next week.
Engineers Approve Plans.
The inability or the civil engineers TO
complete their report made the Washington
visit planned b. Mr.. Taft necessary. The
engineers viii 30 at once TO Washington
TO complete thcir work. 1t may he stated
that their report viii he a complete ap-
proNsl OF present plans and methods on the
isthmrs. They will not only recommend
the construction Of the Gatun dam. but
viii give Il as their judgment that the
dam will be perfectly safe II built to a
height az ~ 3nstead o. 1855 feet. thus saw
ins expense in construction. Other features
vtl deal With the thickness OF cement re-
CURED for the wallis andf loors OF the locks
devices for handling ships in the locks
aad the approval OF the 100000 break
waters az Colon. the construction OF which
ali CO. ate a hsrbor out OF the present road
stead. The failure Of the engineers to com
p'ete Their trip was SAID to be their de-
sac fer careful consideration regarding Just
the Eannsr OF stating their conclusions.
taths' tran any disagreement regarding
what their conclusions are.
Address en- Canal work.
Ia mrs sddress here today. Mr.. Taft made
What ne said WAS his Summing OF his trip.
IT an here on my way from a great con-
struetiNe work" he said. THE greatest
entered in ny any nation during the last
two centuries, and 4 am glad TO say that
tie work i SONG on as you would have
Il 80 on. That on the first OF January.
1873 a. least If not beforehand I am very
much interested in having Il within the
next four yesrs-that canal viii ne com
Tieted. And when that time comes you will
see coming down this river your great com
msree bound through those straits 10 the
vest coast OF America, 10 the west coast
Of South America. 70 tie Orient and 10
Australia
The board OF engineers have examined
the whole work and they say IL Is good
that II shall go on as IL has some on. and
The seed feeline that Is there commends
iusalf TO them as men who understand great
works OF that class and oonvinces them