The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-03-15
DELIGHTFUL TRIP
THROUGH SOUTH
F. r. GRANT TELLS OF HIS Exr
PERIENcEs IN CUBA, PORTO
RICO, AT PANAMA AND IN
soUTH AMERICAN CouN-
TRIES.

"One Of the most pleasing sights
that greeted me on my trip" said f.
F. Grant. president of the Northern
when we were going over the island.
We noticed here and there small vii
lagos and in each one of them was
the little school house n from he
top of each f1oated the flag of the
United States. 1t made us realize
what the government was doing for
the islanders"
Mr.. Grant returned a few days ago
from a six weeks trip through south
ern waters, visiting many of the
southern countries aud he came back
feeling like a new Mr.. and Mrs.
]. w. Smith and family were also OH
the same trip.
I'VE made the trip on the steamship
Victoria Louise and it was at all
times on ideal one" MI. Grant con
tinued. I'VE spent considerable time
in Havana where we saw about all
there was to see, visiting the usual
places that are shown tourists, and
from there we went to Porto Rico and
were filled with delight.
Suits While You Wait.
"As n goes into the tropical coun-
try he is treated to some rather queer
experiences. We were visited on the
boat by a tailor and he took our
measures for our tropical clothing.
This consisted of a. coat and trousers.
We were measured and in just four
hours from that time the suit was
ready to wear. 1t cost us just SO
each and was composed Of very light
cloth, but was most comfortable. /
could hardly get used to the idea Of
wearing entire white. but it came ma
tural after a few hours.
After leaving Havana our first
stop was at Porto Rico and here we
were simply delighted. It Is a beauti-
full island and the government of tho
United States certainly is looking
after its wards in great shape. AS
we drove about we noticed the little
villages dotted here and there and
were delighted to see the little school
house in each one Of them, and float
ing from the flag pole on each was a
handsome American flag. Each one
of us lifted his hat in token Of respect
to the national emblem. l think the
natives are all pleasant and feeling
that it is a mighty good thing to be
children Of Uncle Sam.
We Sailed Along.
From Porto Rico we went to Hayti,
then to Jamaica and then we visited
the Panama We travelled the entire
length of the great canal, marveled
at the great locks, and were simply
astonished at the sights that were
presented to us. The American
government has certainly done won
ders IL the way it has cleaned up
that section. In Colon the houses
were all erected by the government
and / want to "a to you that they
were models of cleanliness and they
are kept in that condition. The work.
men are Of the highest type and they
appear to take pains to have every
thing in a clean and wholesome con-
dftion. AS we went along we saw
much of the machinery that had been
abandoned by the French government
and we wondered at he waste. We
come to the conclusion that had that
government pursued the same tactics
as did Uncle Sam they and not as
would have finished the greatest
engineering feat hat the world has
ever known. 1t is simply a stupendous
affair. We went from the east to the
west end of the canal out on the
Pacific ocean and ! am inclined to
think that it is here the large city
will be located. It seemed to be the
feasible place for the city.
Just Cleaning OPs
aft seemed to me that the govern
ment has about finished its great task,
and that all that is left to do now
is to clean up the odds and ends, then
let the water in and the ships will
do the rest. The thing that most m
pressed me while l was down there
is the cleanness Of everything. We
were told some narrowing tales as to
the conditions before the United
States took hold OF affairs, and of
how the great change had been
brought about. II showed how intelii-
xenca and science, backed by discipline
could work wonders. It is q tropical
country, beautiful in it's foliage and
il is an ideal place for those who real
ly like a hot country.
In South America.
I'VE had the pleasure OF visiting
Venezuela and were much pleased
with the sights there, and from there
we went to Trinidad and went over
the great pitch lakes from which we
get our asphalt, and 1t was a sight
worth seeing. We were told that as
fast as they dig out the pitch the lake
fills up again and 1t seemed as though
the supply was inexhaustible. Then
we went to- Barbaros and TO st.
Thomas and saw all that was to be
seen there. We did not encounter
any weather that could be called
rought and the trip was one
that I greatly enjoyed.
Eyes, / was glad to get back home
again. for you know the average
North Dakota nan who has been
here n length Of time gets pretty
we'll satisfied with the idea that there
isn't n country or state quite az
good az this"