New-York tribune., 1909-09-23
TAFT CROSSES ROCKIES
PRESIDENT ENTHUSIASTIC
OYER SCENERI.
,Sfons at JVolhurst, Colorado Springs
and PuebIO-SGUcS COnSerUatiOh
Speech for Spokane.

Pueblo. Col, Sept 22.-Presdent Tart to-his"'
is crossing the continental divide ana to-nlo'io"
morning will find himself west Of the ROCKY
Mountains All day the President has uaNe4ieu
with the panorama of the white capped PeohS
of the Rockies in view, and at one time the Tram
ran for mile more through fields OF snow
Tonight, at Tennessee Pass. the climb TO the
,on os the divide carries the President to an
altitude Of 1920 feet.
For the first time the President travelled
through the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas
where at one place the half-me deep canyon IS
so narrow that there is not room for the track and
the river, and the former has To be carried over
the rushing waters by means Of hanging
bridge, suspended by cables embedded in the
rocky walls Of the chasm. The eleven mile ride
through the canyon was made by moonlight the
Presidents train having left here at $40 p. M.
and reaching the hanging bridge two hours later.
The President did not feel the altitude. and
at the end OF his first week Of his tour he is in
splendid health despite the efforts Of the hos
pitable West and its never ending breakfasts
Iuncheons and dinners. Mr.. Tafts voice also is
in the best of condition. There was a little
huskiness for time, but it has disappeared.
GUEST OF THOMAS F WALSH.
Beginning the first Of the two days Of his
Colorado tour Mr.. Taft motored fourteen miles
out Of Denver to breakfast this morning at the
of the owner renamed as Clonmel the estate
heretofore known as Wolhmst. Taking train
at Wolhurst. with additional train filled with
Colorado people as an escort, the President pro-
ceeded 10 Colorado Springs. where he made a
brief address in the public park to of the
largest crowds OF the trip. and then made a
hasty automobile tour 10 points of scenic in
terest. AT an eminence overlooking the Valley
of the Garden of the Gods, with the Rockies in
dyr,ira
tion of the view with enthusiasm.
From Colorado Springs the party came on to
Pueblo, where the President left the train at
the Mineral Palace Park and was driven at the
head of a long procession OF automobiles to the
state fair grounds, TO face another cheering
throng and 10 make brief eXtempOraneOus
speech in appreciation Of the reception accorded
20 him.
Nj. Ballinger. Secretary of the Interior. joined
the party at Denver and viii go through to
Seattle with the President. He will assist Mr..
Taft tomorrow afternoon in the formal opening
Of the Gunnison tunnel. at Montrose Col. the
greatest irrigation project the government has
ever undertaken.
CONSERVATION SPEECH AT SPOKANE.
MI Taft announced to-day that he would not
make his speech on the subject Of the conserva-
ton Of the natural resources-the topic of su-
preme interest in the country through which he
will pass during the next two veeks-untiT he
reaches Spokane, on September IS. It was at
Spokane that the controversy between Mr.. Bal
linger and Chief Forester Pinchot arose, and
Mr.. Taft regards il as probably the best place
10 discuss the issue. In the brief references he
has made in his speeches far Mt. Taft has
declared that reclamation work must go on. but
that il must be done in conformity with the law
and that project will be undertaken until the
money for the work is on hand
1t learned to-day that at the same time
President Taft wrote his letter to Secretary Bal
Iinger sustaining him in all that he has done as
head of the Interior Department he also wrote
letter 10 Mr.. Pnchot. Further than TO say
that he has frequent correspondence with Mr.
Pinchot and that they always have been the
warmest of friends Mr.. Taft viii not further
comment the case.
The Presidents tour took on its first pictu-
rescue coloring Of the West to-day, when thirty
two sheriffs of Colorado counties in the COS
tune OF the plains joined the party i'm a special
car TO act a guard OF honor to the President
during his stay in the state. In khaki trousers
blue flannel shirts, peaked hats, cartridge belts
and pistol handles protruding from holsters
they surrounded the President at every STOP
Advance arrangements had been made for
mounts for the sheriffs. and they had broncos
awaiting them at each city visited.
SPEECH AT COLORADO SPRINGS.
In his speech at Colorado Springs this after
noon the President ssid:
We are entering upon era of prosperity that
j hope VIII be exceptional, but in doing so We
'nust be careful not TO forget the obligation upon
us 10 adopt such legislative measures in state
and nation as shall prevent a recurrence of the
abuses which were brought so plainly to the
mind OF the people by my predecessor Theodore
Roosevelt
1t is easy, when you are comforta ble and when
the income is coming in, TO think that everything
IS all right, but il is just about that time when
the sappers and miners begin their work upon
the foundations OF society with reference 10 The
abuses to which / have referred.
And this administration is pledged with the
aid Of the people 10 put upon the statute books
such additional legislation shall cnch the
advance In the standards of business and in the
management Of railroads and industrial cOrDora-
tOns, which were set up by my predecessor in
his talks 10 the people and in his messages to
Congress.
I think have made great advance ruder
his influence, but must not stop He fool, ~,
The question OF conservation of our resources
including the reclamation of land. the preser-
walton Of forests, the deepening Of our water
ways and pledged all his Efforts in the direc-
lion Of 4 scientific solution Of these questions
Such policy cannot be brought to a cumina-
lion IN one administration or two. or three An
that each one can say while he is responsible is
that his best efforts viii be devoted To CARVING
out these policies. not only 10 devoting the GOV
ernments attention but also in encourap ping
private capital and private effort toward the
same direction
did not expect to make n speech It was