Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 73, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1909 — TAFT APPROVES THE LOCK CANAL [ARTICLE]

TAFT APPROVES THE LOCK CANAL

This Statement Made In New Orleans Speech. SOCIALIST BANNERS DOWN AuthoritiX Maintain the Non-Partisan Character of Reception to the Presi- ‘ dent Elect by Having Removed Canvas Bearing the Inscription: “Why Should One Man Hold Another Man’s Job?” —Hitchcock and Shaffer Ready For Conference on Cabinet. New Orleans, Feb. 12.—-President Elect William H. Taft in the brief speech he made following his landing here from Panama heartily approved the present lock type of canal across the isthmus. He reviewed a parade of enthusiastic citizens miles in length and attended one of the carnival season balls, that of the Elves of Oberon. Tait today will address the negro Y. M. C. A., spend several hours in automobiling and at night be the guest of honor at an elaborate banquet at which nearly 500 prominent citizens will pay $25 a plate to participate. Tomorrow morning the p/esident elect will go to Cincinnati, from where, on Monday, he will leave for Washington, returning again to Cincinnati Wednesday. Meets Old College Chum. The president elect recognized many old friends among those who greeted him upon his arrival. “Why there Js my old Yale friend, Louis Le Burgeois.” exclaimed the! son of Ohio, grasping the hand of a man who appeared almost a counterpart of himself. “Say, Bill, how much do you weigh?” asWd Le Burgeois, by way of greeting. « “Louie, I’ve got you beat all right.” said Judge Taft. “I weigh 290?’ “You have a little on me,” said Le Burgeois, "I weight 280, but I’m still growing.” “Well, you have something to look forward to,” rejoined Judge Taft, who, calling Mrs. Taft, said: “I want you to meet my old classmate at Yale, Louis Le Burgeois. You can look at him and tell that be was in my class, all right.” Shaffer In New Orleans. The arrival of Frank H. Hitchcock, •who was granted an immediate confer ence, and the present here of J. C. Shaffer, owner of the Chicago Evening Post, on whose judgment Taft said he should place weight regarding cabinet aspirants from the vicinity of Chicago, made it apparent that cabinet activities have begun. Several socialist banners which were displayed in front of a lodging bouse in the line of the Taft parade were ordered down by the local authorities just before the arrival of the president elect. The demand was made on the ground that the inscriptions. “Why Should One Man Hold Another Man’s Job?" and “To Abolish Poverty, Vote the Socialist Ticket,” flaunted in the face of Judge Taft would not conform with the hospitable and non-partisan spirit in which it was decreed the whole city should receive him. The banners were taken down. Taft Dances With Queen. President Elect and Mrs. Taft broke through many qld traditions associated with the masked balls of the carni val season when they were the guests of the Merry Monarchs of the Elves of Oberon at the old French Opera House. No sooner had the rule of the king and queen been established, than they made their way, surrounded by courtiers, to the box occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Taft and escorted the distinguish ed visitors to the stage, where they were hsked to share the throne. Later Judge Taft danced with tha queen and Mrs. Taft was the partner of the king in the same waltz.