The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-10-27
TRAVELLING WITH TAFT
Especial Correspondence.1


Now that President Taft Is we'll on
his way on what is perhaps the most
notable trip ever taken by a chief
magistrate Of the United States it has
been shown that the original schedule
is being closely adhered to. Gerrit
Ford, assistant to the vice president Of
the New York Central lines. who has
charge of the transportation arrange
ments for the entire trip, has Father
Time beaten to a standstill.
Over Many Railroad Systems.
The presidents trip covers an timer
ary Of 1850 miles, and his private
cars, the Mayfower and the HALE
mar, will be handled over twenty-five
different railroad systems. The South
ern Pacific will get the longest haul Of
$3.50 miles. The Maricopa and Phoe-
nix railroad. in Arizona, gets the short
haul Of thirty-ive miles. The voyage
down the Mississippi river from st.
Louis to New Orleans on the steam
boat Mississippi covers 1,165 miles.
It will begin Oct. q and will occupy
four days and five nights.
Opening the GunnIson Tunnel.
The striking incidents Of President
Taft's progress so far included an in
spection Of one Of the greatest irriga-
ton projects Of all the west at Mont
rose, Colo. The president spent nearly
half a day there and of1ciated at the
opening Of the new Gunnison tunnel.
The Gunnison tunnel is said to be
the longest underground waterway in
the world. The ~Uncompahgre project.
as it is called, is the first of the great
irrigation systems started by the rec
lamation service to be completed. and
it ranks third among the twenty-seven
enterprises begun by the government.
Thousands of acres of the finest fruit
land in the world will be caused to
blossom with crops with the waters
that were turned on to them when
President Taft pressed a button. At
present 1t is little more than a sage
brush desert. The tunnel is six miles
long and built Of concrete. It bores
through a mountain and will transfer
water from the Gunnison river to the
~Uncompahgre river valley. Twelve
miles Of canal with a greater cross
section than that Of the Erie canal
will conduct the stream from one riv-
er to another. Fourteen intermediate
drops will generate 10000 horsepower.
Government Will Sell Water.
Approximately 10000 acres of ara
BILE land surrounding the celebrated
Montrose fruit district will be placed
at the disposal Of farmers. The gov
eminent will charge about $35 an acre
for water rights, but irrigation will in
crease the value of the land many
fold. Since February. 1905, from 500
to 800 men have been employed on the
work, and for their accommodation
two towns containing schools, hospi-
tails and dwellings have been built by
the government at the canals portals.
The work has cost about S., OOO, 900,
and a peculiar feature is that Uncle
Sam lends money only to the farmers
For the first year a settler will pay but
a small sum, but the payments will be
increased as the land develops and be-
comes more prolific.
A railroad traverses the valley, so
farmers will have no difficulty in mar
keting their crops. Besides. the near
by mining camps can be depended
upon to take a goodly percentage of
farm products at high prices.
Small Farms the Rule.
Most of the ranches in the Montrose
district are small and compact, and
intensive agriculture is practiced.
When settled under the government
plan the unit will not be above ten
acres. The metropolis Of the Uncom-
pahgre valley is Montrose, an enter
prising and modern little city, with
schools. churches, theater, etc.. that
compare favorably with eastern COM
munities of twice its size. 1t was a
great day for Montrose and the whole
valley when President Taft sent the
water tumbling and roaring on its
life giving mission to the thirsty des-
ert.
Spokane Greets Taft.
Leaving Colorado. the president
roochad Salt Toko Citv IN Er;dov