Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1911-10-13
CHIEF EXECUTIVE MAKES A
BRIEF ADDRESS HERE.
INTRODUCED BY HAWLEY
Large Concourse Turns Out to See
and Hear the Nations Chief
Executive.

inursday evening at S.16 o'clock
the city Of Grants Pass welcomed
the president of the United States.
and listened to speech of two min
utes' duration, Mr.. Taft speaking
from the platform Of the rear coach
OF his special train.
Mr. Hawley had telegraphed to
Postmaster G. w, Donnell that the
president would arrive and speak 10
minutes. This The Courier gave pub
licity, but at 7;i0, so minutes be-
fore the train was due, the Courier
received the following message sent
from Glendale:
ITO the Rogue River Courier, Grants
Pass, Oregon:
Telegram received. In order 10
maintain schedule will be able to
stop only two minutes at Grants
Pass.
Charles D. Hilles, secretary to
the president.
The presidential party remained
much longer than two minutes. how
ever, and but for the unfortunate
condition Of Mr.. Taft's voice, he
would no doubt have spoken vigor-
ously and had something interesting
to say.
The presidential train is a luxuri-
Gus one Of seven coaches. including
baggage car and diner. The party Is
composed OF few friends of the
president, secretaries, stenographers
secret service men and an ample ag-
gregation OF servants. white and
/ black.
II was throng OF good natured
people which greeted the presIden-
tial train as II rolled across Sixth
street and stopped a short distance
below the crossing OF Sixth and the
railroad. The news given this city by
The Courier Thursday evening that
the President would speak here
few moments brought out hundreds
OF pedestrians and autos loaded to
capacity, and the crossing was block
ed with humanity. The special
train arrived at about $40 and
spent about Is minutes In the wes-
tern yards before getting down to
where the crowd was In waiting
When the train did roll down, how
ever, with PresIdenet Taft and mem
bers OF his party, including Rep
resentatiye w G. Hawley, congress-
man from this district, cheer Of
fairly good lustlness went up and
the president bowed in acknowledge
ment, Mr.. Hawley then addressed
the assemblage, stating that Presi-
dent Taft was suffering from hoarse-
ness as result Of many speeches
during the past few days. and, as
consequence, would be able to on
ly speak briefly. II now have the
pleasure" said the congressman
"of introducing 10 you the most dis
tinguIshed citizen Of the world, Will
Ham Howard Taft the president Of
the United States"
Mr.. Taft responded Immediately,
repeating the information that Mr.
Hawley had given, that Ia. that his
throat was In too serious n condition
10 make but few remarks. He
said:
II am glad 10 be among such a
happy, healthy, prosperous and
handsome people. The handsome
part applies 10 the ladies. and n any
NJ the men take II 10 themselves. I
can't help II.
II wish TO say 10 you that hope
Oregon and these fertile valleys will
continue 10 prosper and grow m
they hsye in the past. Now must
say GOOD night, and may God bless
you"
There was a spontaneous moan OF
disappointment from the crowd at
this brief speech. but II was recog-
nized that Mr.. Taft could not do
more while he carried such frog