The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-09-19
He Will Inspect the 500 Locks
This Afternoon.
CROSSES THE STRAITS.
Will Make Marquette His Step
ping Place Tonight.
Favors Civil Service in the In
ternaI Revenue Bureau.

Mackinaw City, Mich, Sept. 1s.-F'or
the first time a president Of the United
States passed through here today en-
route to northern Michigan when the
special train carrying President Taft
and his party was taken aboard the
ferry to cross the straits Of MaclSinac-
In spite of his hard day yesterday in
the southern part of the state the pres
ident looked fresh and was evidently in
good humOr. His train stopped in Maclxi-
nav City only a few minutes. This af-
ternoon the president will be the guest
of Sault Ste Marie. where he will
lunch with Governor Osborn and in
spect the locks at the 500.
Because of his knowledge of the work
on the Panama canal and locks, the
president is intensely interested in
those at the 500. Leaving the 500 in
the evening, he will travel still farther
into the Michigan peninsula with Mar
ouette as his stopping place over night
Senator Townsend of Michigan accom-
panied the president north from De-
troit. Senator Smith did not come ow-
irg to the illness of his father, but will
greet the president Thursday in Grand
Rapids.
For Extension of Civil Service.
During his brief visit to the conVen-
tion of the United States internal reve-
nue. officers at Detroit yesterday, the
president took occasion to say some
thing regarding patronage, thus adding
another political touch to his visit.
They have charged me with using
patronage to accomplish something,
he said. IF 1 have, I am not conscious
of it But I challenge the men VINO
make the charge to come forward and
join with me in legislation which will
enable me to put every local officer. be
he postmaster, internal revenue collec-
tor, customs collector or anybody else,
filing an Office Of the United States in
any of the states of the Union under
classified civil service But they won't
do it-at least they won't do it now
IF I had the making of the laws OF
this country the first thing would do
would be to include in the civil service
every collector, deputy collector and ev-
erybody connected with the internal
revenue system in local collections and
put the whole service on an effective.
nonpartisan basis know that it
would be a source of economy. 1 know
that it would give the president a great
deal more time to devote to other du-
ties; know that 1t would save a great
many congressman their seats and I
know that it would tend to the eleva-
tion Of the public service"
Big Crowd from Canada.
Sault Ste Marie, Sept 19.-Early to-
day big crowds from Canada and north
ern Michigan began to gather here to
welcome President Taft The weather
promised to be all that could be de-
sired and the city was decorated in
gala attire for the occasion.
The days program includes brief
tour of the city by the president on
his arrival, a review of $500 school
children in the government park. after
which the president was scheduled to
make a, brief visit at the home of Gov
ernor Osborn.
Elaborate plans were made for the
luncheon at the armory rendered t4le
president shortly after noon by 500 resi-
dents of the city.
The principal address of the day was
scheduled for delivery in the beautiful
park surrounding the Park school.
First Visit of a President.
Marquette, Mich, Sept. 19.-ElaboT-
ate arrangements have been made for
the entertainment of President Taft in
Marquette tonight and tomorrow. This
is the first time a president of the
United States has visited the upper
peninsula of Michigan.
The president will arrive from Sau1t
Ste Marie late tonight but the formal
program will not begin until $50
o'clock tomorrow morning. when Mr..
Taft will be taken on an automobile
ride to PresqUe Isle, a natural park of
$50 acres donated to the municipality
by the federal government several
years ago More than one hundred
decorated automobiles win make up
the escort
Mr.. Taft will deliver an address at
1870 o'clock at Guild hall field be-
Meath a tent where the capacity is
estimated at 5000 people. At / o'clock
luncheon. Mr.. Taft. Congressman n
Young and others will respond to
toasts. After this function the presi-
Dental party will depart for Grand
Rapids.