The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-20

Connned TO the house by a severe
cold. President William IL. Taft last
night regretfully Cancelled his engage
ment in Richmond to-day. Plans for
the luncheon to have been rendered
the President by the city and citizens
were abandoned, and the Good Roads
Congress Will open this morning with
secretary OF Agriculture James Wilson
as the official representative OF tho
President. The dinner of tho alumni
OF the University of Virginia will be
held tonight as announced. the speak
ers to be DR.. E. y. Alderman and
Dr.. Walter Page.
Not until the last minute did the Press
ldent announce that his physicians ad-
vised against his trip to Richmond.
HIS condition Is not considered alarm
| ing, but with severe cold
thought unadv!sable furEh -
| strength at this time. .ltrs----T7cs-T--s- = q
| ment was made at the White HodSsI x
$3.50, and confirmed by kilograms II Ss.t
the President himself to President
| Wood. of the Chamber OF Commerce:
President l.. w. Page, of the Highway
association, and President William IL.
, White, postmaster of the alumni din
ncr. shortly after o'clock
The orders for a special train to
and from WASHINGTON were Cancelled.
the decorations and flowers removed
from the Jefferson dining-room and
the entertainment proposed to be fur
| n'shed by the city called off.
Wood Wires Regret
Mr.. Wood as chairman or the gem
eral committee In charge of arranga-
inehts. sent TO Mr.. Taft last nighr
the following message:
non. William III. Tnft, President OF
the United states, WASHINGTON, ID.
The committee representing the civ.
e IN hNr
liens OF Richmond regret very nucb
indeed TO know that you will be nm
able TO be present with us to-morro,x.
Our people Will miss your presence
very much. hut we know TINT Won
would be with us IL you felt that Won
! could snfcl, do so. We send our bcsr
wishes for yonr speedy recovery In
your usual good health
HENRY. w. WOOD, Chairman.
Taft Is for Good Roads
me following message was received
! ny president Logan Waller Page, OF
the National Highway Association,
last night:
The White House.
Washington, D. c.,
November 10, 1911.
l. w Page. President American "A.
ISOLATION for Highway Improves
ment:
have had cold for week since
returned from my trip, and have
spent the last forty eight hours In
the house. with the hope OF being, able.
without risk, to go to Richmond to.
! morrow. l have been looking forwar,
10 taking part in the good roads con-
Nenton with great deal OF pleasure.
because / am in sympathy with thu
movement that Is gaining strength IN
every state and In the nation FOR the
promotion of the construction OF per-
manent good roads.
The effect that they will have In in
creasing the value of farms, in maxi
ing the lives OF farmers and their
families much more full OF comfort,
and In the general benefit conferred
by greater ease OF intercommunicatI or,
the country over. cannot be exagger-
ated.
wish that I could be present to-
utter my word or approval and en-
enlargement, but feel that the trip
as Planned, is one which would in
volvc more risk than ought 10 incur
{ In my present condition. have post
poned this announcement until now,
: with the hope that | might avoid maxi
ing it. The pleasure OF receiving the
hospitality of Richmond. which has
been mine at least twice, fingers long
in my memory. and makes me deeply
regretful that / must deny myself now
, the enjoyment OF the trip.
| (SiSned) WILLIAM II. TAFT.
Page Sends Reply.
! MI Page sent last night the follow.
I ing reply
| Richmond. Va, November 10.
| The President. Washington. D. c.:
F! We deeply regret that you are un-
able to ne with US and sincerely trust
that your Illness will be OF short dure-
ton. l. w, PAGE
{ Had Made All Preparations.
! All day yesterday the preparations
for the reception OF the President were
going steadily forward although tina
action of tho President In canceHnS
! all Washington engagements on satars