MR. TAFT'S ADVENTURE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12632, 8 December 1911, Page 7

MR. TAFT'S ADVENTURE.

PERILOUS MOTOR-CAR RIDE ON A MOUNTAIN PASS. NEW YORK, October 9. President Taft had a thrilling experience last evening, when his motor-car broke down on a dangerous narrow mountain pass while ascending Mount Rainier, near Tacoma. After several hours' wait the President's car bore him safely down the precipitous mountain side m pitch darkness, several times .narrowly escaping toppling over a precipice. The citizens of Tacoma had arranged the journey up Mount Rainier for the purpose of showing the President the bad state of the roads m Rainier National Park, and their demonstration just fell short of a disaster. The Presidential party proceeded five miles into tlfe park beyond the legal limit for motor-cars, and proceeded up the mountain to the line of perpetual snow. Then the party turned round as darkness was approaching started homeward, but the cars became stuck deep m the mud and could not bo extricated. Tho party became marooned | nearly a mile above sea level on a path scarcely a dozen feet wide. On onej side were high cliffs, and on the other j side a 4000-foot precipice.

Forest rangers learned of the President's predicament, and brought picks and shovels and underbrush, with which they built a solid roadway over the mud and dragged Mr Taft's car from its position. This required nearly three hours' work, part of whicii time Mr Taft spant m a snowball fight to keep warm. The second car was similarly extricated, and four others were left behind m the mud. The two cars released, then started down the narrow mountain path, the President leading because there was no space to permit tho rear car taking the lead, and Mr Taft refused to change cars.

The driver could not see ahead owing to darkness, and the road ' gave many Sudden twists, completely concealing the President's car at times from the rear car. One bf the party frequently explored ahead with a lamp. Several times the wheels of Mr Taft's car were from 18 to 24 inches off the edge of the precipice.

The descent was finally accomplished at walking pace, and Mr Taft arrived safely at Ashford, a small station near the mountain, where his special train tvas taken from Tacoma to meet him. The President was none the worse for his adventure, but it is understood he will use all possible influence to induce Congress to grant an appropriation to repair the Rainier roads.