Arizona republican., 1911-10-10
Confides to the People of
Seattle the Fact That he
Expects the Panama Can
al to be Completed in
1913.
THAT'S Is MONTHS
AHEAD OF THE TIME
The President Also Discuss
ed Reciprocity Briefly
But Made No Extended
Mention of This one Time
Favorite Topic.

SEATTLE Wash, oct. 9.-This is
President Taft's fourth night ashore"
since leaving Beverly on his swing
around the circle. on the twenty
four days he has been out, Taft has
slept off the train only at Erie, Mar
quette, Mich, Omaha and Seattle In
spite Of hardships Of constant travel
he has stood the trip we'll and is
looking fit He spent today travelling
from Bellingham 70 Seattle He
stopped at Burlington, Mount Vernon.
and Everett, making brief addresses.
He spoke in the armory here tonight
before a large crowd Speaking at
Bellingham Taft predicted the opening
of the Panama canal by July !. 1913.
He said Canada is going To be sorry
she rejected reciprocity Speaking
of the canal opening he said he would
let the people of Bellingham into a
little official confidence" He said.
If nothing happens you can count
on the canal opening not later than
July first, 1918. only it has been
promised for January /. 1915, and if
not done earlier than that YOU mustn't
say anyone made any promises he
didn't fulfill"
Taft said it made no difference
what system of tolls is adopted or
what management of the canal is
established. the people would see to
IL that arrangements are made so
that it will be profitable 90 ship goods
through the canal Owing to his
proximity TO the Canadian line the
presidents reference to reciprocity
was short. He said he intended To
discuss it fully but our neighbors
across the line have settled it SO no
discussion is necessary"
Before leaving the platform at Bel
lingham, SOno Takigama, a pretty
Japanese woman, representing the
japanese society Of the city. present
ed the president with a boquet Of
flowers. Two young daughters ac-
companied her. one little girl. show
ing an early fondness for brass but
tons, climbed up on Major Butts
knee and sat there oblivious to the
speech while the party stayed on the
platform. The major blushed, but
gracefully acted the part Of temporary
godfather
Taft faced tonight one Of the largest
and most enthusiastic audiences that
has greeted him in his recent travels.
He was greeted by prolonged cheers
and constantly interrupted by applause.
He discussed a variety of subjects in
Guiding the relation of government to
business, his tariff vctocs and Alaska.
The last subject is Of vital interest
here. He declared Alaska should at
least have a form Of self government,
for the travelling population was not
stable enough for a full measure of
self control
That proposition has not met with
approval" he said, Il still think it the
better way, but a man who stands on
dogmatic statement and says no,
makes no progress l am willing tol
make concessions for a partly cleo
tive. partly appointive form Of govern
ment for Alaska. Congress is not max
ing the necessary laws for Alaska.
Alaska must have a local governing
body. In bringing this about l hope
there will be no politics played. I hope
the two houses Of congress will unite
in bringing about a change that will
result III lllt ltN tltIiilfuA 81 -Aii0he
and in making that territory valuable |
to itself and valuable to mankind. II
see no more reason for government
ownership in Alaska than elsewhere
The same limitations as to the public
domains should be introduced there as
in other places i'm this country. Per
sonally, I favor the leasing system.
What is wanted is a conditioh of own
ership that will attract capital. Tn
der the leasing system this indUcement
would be offered"
Congressman Humphreys who intro
duced Mr.. Taft said the people of the
Pacific coast are for him, and are on
ly waiting for a chance at the polls,
or in convention to say: well done,
true and faithful servant; enter in for
four years more"
Discussing the sherman antitrust
law. the president said he is just as
much bound by his oath to enforce that
law as one against cOunterfeiting. The
supreme court. he declared. had de-
creed that business must go on under
the old doctrine of competition or not
at all. He spoke against decrying
business simply because it was pros
porous, and declared there should be
every encouragement for thrift and
industry, so long as it is along legiti
mate lines. Following his speech the
president was escorted to the Seattle
Press club where a lively program of
songs and speeches, mostly in Chinook
iargon was presented. greatly to the
presidents delight.