The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-30
TAFT NEARING
 CRESCENT CITY Will Reach New Orleans
 This Morning. READY FOR BIG CONVENTION President Is Central Figure Among
 Waterways Men. Noted Party Arrives at Bsten Rouge Three Hours Lste But is Given Cordial 1seceptisn-Taft Has
 Fun with Speaker
READY FOR BIG CONVENTION
Netea P.rty Arrive. .t Bsten Rouge

Baton Rouge, La, Oct. 29.--Aithough he arrived here more than three hours late tonight. President Tafts river schedule went great deal better to- day and there was not daylight hour that the twelve boats constituting the waterways fleet from St. Louis to New Orleans were not in sight of the flag ship.
 The President made two stops today, at NatchezS"on the hilp' and here. Sail- ing from here tonight the Oleander probably will land the President in New Orleans tomorrow. He Is scheduled to make his detailed speech on the sub Ject of waterway improvement before the convention in that city at 2:30 p. m.
 The principal reason that the fleet kept together today was the slacken- ing of the speed of the Oleander by bad coal and choked fires throughout the morning. The chances are that by tomorrow noon there will be another scattering of the boats. for the little light. house tender bearing the Presi- dent, skinned out of here tonight at top speed and with Q new supply of coal on board. The President will go right into New Orleans without wait ing for the proposed rendezvous of the fleet outside of that city.
 At Natchez this morning the Presi- dent was driven about the interesting old city, visited the graves of s. 8. Prentiss and made speech in which he likened the Mississippi river to "a beautiful and powerful woman, likely treated with the greatest discre- tion. The President spcxe on the bluff at Natchez. in court of honor.
 Visits Other Vessels.
 A horse shoe of gayly decorated boxes surrounded the speakers stand and each box was f1led with pretty women. It was one of the most unique and prettiest scenes of the trip. This afternoon the President visited three vessels of the fleet for a short period, eating two luncheons as part of the program.
 On the trip down the river the Presi- dent has had considerable fun with Speaker Esunen. who has been called on for an address at every place MT. Taft has appeared. Tne Speaker usual iy follows the President with the dec- ieration that he favors his suggestion for the improvement of the waterways on a buslness-like baeis. rather than in the piece-meal, politically controlled manner of the past. But the Speaker always baiks at the suggestion on bonds and VOWS he never, never. never will vote for them.
 Arriving in New Orleans tomorrow, the President and the members of his cabinet will lunch with the Archbishop off New Orleans at his house. The President goes from there to the con- vention hall, and after speaking on wa- terways will go out to witness the football game for tho championship of the South, between Sewanee and the Louisiana State University. He will be the guest of Governor Sanders at this game. The President will dine quietly at the Pickwick Club and attend per- formanee of French opera in the even- ing. Sunday morning he will attend the Unitarian Church.
 The President was escorted to the Federal building tonight where he was introduced to a large crowd and made e brief address.