The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-11-24
RICHMOND SORRY
TAFT HAS GONE
SIG. GENIAL PRESIDENT MADE
MANY FRIENDS WHILE
GUEST OF CITY.
LUNCHEON BRILLIANT
CHIEF EXECUTIVE DESCRIBES
wORk ON PANAMA CANAL
AND AROvsEs EN-
THUsIAsM.

President TAFT has come and gone,
leaving behind him n city delishted 10
have had him within it's gates for
twenty -four hours and reg-etful that
the stay could not have been prolonged
indefinitely.
For President Taft has the knlck OF
making friends. Added te the happy
faculty of always being ready with an
appropriate remark, or an apt story or
anecdote, he also knows how to be
good listener.
AZ a result, every one of those who
met him personally during his stay IN
Richmond has feeling that he played
an individual part In entertaining the
distinguished guest. For the rest. sll
OF the thousands who greeted him with
waving hats. cheers and applause as
he passed through the streets going
to or from the governors mansion. or
during the parade. or any Of the other
numerous places where the president
was to be seen. feel that they, too.
played their part.
And they did. Giving all due credit
to the reception committee. President
Taft's visit would have necessarily
been shoru Of much of it's brilliant sue
the city a. whole, who entered into
the spirit Of the thing with striking
example of the hospitality fer which
Richmond and Virginia In general Is
far famed.
Praises Hospitality.
The chief executive recognized this
hospitality. When he rose to speak at
the luncheon rendered him by citizens
in the Jefferson Hotel Wednesday af
Is N T.sfrr-
once to 1t. Said the president: 4 am
...w avs glad that haze come 10 Rich
mond. There Is a cordially about your
welcome that overcomes any nodesty
and convinces the visitor Of the sin
certify with which you take htrn in."
Then the president iapsed into his
speech--a detailed discussion OF the
Panama canal. The address was par
TALLY scieptifc. but not 30 much 80 AZ
to be beyond the understanding OF the
layman guests.
President Taft described the work
on the canal. how and under what
difficulties Ii WAS progressing. He
praised the engineers in charge of
the work and declared the system OF
organization which had baen effected
10 be marvellous
Several times the President MAS In
terrupted by applause. partie ularly
when he declared that while ho was
no prophet. he thought IL very likely
that should the necessity arise the
batueships OF the nation might be
sent over the canal n considerable
time before January /, 1915"
On another occasion the President
gave vent 10 what may or may not
have been a yelled rap at Congress
when he said the work Is being car
ried on compet.ntly. and Under iih-
eral policy: and then, after an APP
preciAbie pause. added considering
the limitations which have been i'm
posed by Congress.
Late NJ Auditorium.
The President spoke earnestly and
became So enGrossed in his subject
that o'clock. the hour when he was
10 have addressed the Educational
Conference at the City Auditorium
came and passed unheeded. Ii was
exactly s:4s o'clock when the Presi-
dent left the jefferson Hotel for the
auditorium.
The luncheon VAS brilliant at
fair. Covers were laid for about two
hundred and fifty guests. representing
the elite OF the city from business
political and social standpoint.
The tables were decorated In pink
and white, the speakers table pre-
kcnting the appearance Of mass OF
huge chrynanthemuHs and carnations
Tho President was introduced by
former Governor Montague. who con-
Guided with the toast, Tho health
and happiness Of the President"
The toast was drunk standing. Then
the hotel orchestra played THE Star
Spangled Banner and the guests
cheered.
When the guests had resumed their
seats the President remained stand
Ing and began his address.
The presidential party left Rich
mond for Washington at s.s5 F. NJ
Wednesday. In leaving the party went
to tho Byrd Street station, only to
md that through some mistake die
private car "Mayhower" had been
moved to the Main Street station This
caused but moments delay, how
ever. and finally. with crowds cheer
ing him. the President stood on the
rear platform OF his car and waved a
smiling farewell.
CHANGE IN SCHEDULE>-SOUTH