The herald., 1897-08-24

| proved it would be impossible to remove
| that doubt, for on every hand he heard
| the unanimous expression of opinion in
favor of the San Pedro improvement mt
from business men who are to be the
most greatly benefited by it, If he has
departed carrying anything but the most
favorable impression of Los Angeles an d
the adjacent territory it is not the fault
cf the gentlemen who arraged the recep-
ton.
In spite of the fact that the function
was so hurriedly decided upon and the
| consequent inability of those who had
the affair in charge to notify personally
even the members of the reception COM
mittee, more than half the members Of
that committee were at the chamber of
commerce al the hour appoin ted for the
| reception, 9 o'clock yesterday morning.
Others came in later so that before Mr..
Hooker left nearly the entire commit
tee was in attendance. In addition to
the committee there were about $50 men,
bers of the chamber of commerce, OF the
board of trade, of the Free Harbor league
and of the Merchants and Manufacture
ers' association in the rooms, as we'll as
many other representative business and
professional men. Councilmen Herman
Silver, q. d. Mathuss and C. H. Toll rep
resented the city government. Super
visors Field and Davis and County
Treasurer Fleming We're there for the
county. Secretary Perkins of the board
of trade and Secretary Zeehandelaar of
the Merchants and Manufacturers asso-
citation We're also in attendance. Among
others not members of the committee
We're DR.. w. l.. Wills E. A. Pomeroy, L.
F. Mosher Judge S. o. Houghton, Judge
Van Dyke and J. Ross Clark.
The club room and directors room
were handsomely decorated, with pepper
branches, palms, flowers, and here ana
there the Stars and Stripes, twined with
in the green plants, added to the beauty
of the whole. The tables We're loaded
with fruit such as the visitor will seldom
see out of California, and for the thirsty
Secretary Virgins had prepared boun-
teouS supply of punch.
Senator S. NJ. White, Col H. G. Otis,
Messrs. w. c. Patterson, r. N. Bulla and
C. D. Willard, who, with Secretary Frank
Virgins, had arranged the reception,
went to the Van NuyS at o'clock and
escorted Mr. Hooker and his party to the
chamber. AS they entered the ladies of
the party, Mrs. Hooker and daughter,
Mrs. Moore and Miss Sessions, were es-
corted to the ladies' reception room by
Mesdames Otis and Virgins and, there
entertained, after which they were
shown about the exhibit hall. Mr.. Hook
er was shown into the members club
room and took a position at the north
side of the room. The gentlemen pres
ent then presented their compliments
shaking hands with the guest. There
were few formal introductions, most of
those present informing Mr.. Hooker who
they were or simply exchanging the
courteses of the day with him. When
all had thus met him Senator White Sc
cured the attention of those present and
after introducing the guest, stated that
It would be impossible for Mr.. Hooker to
talk personally to everyone present or
to any considerable number of them
separately, owing to the brevity Of his
stay in the city, and therefore suggested
that he talk to all. Mr.. Hooker showed
by his manner his pleasure at the manner
in which he had been received, and after
acknowledgings Senator Whites intro
duction, he said:
II assure you. ladies and gentlemen,
that it gives me great pleasure to meet
the representative business men Of Los
Angeles and Southern California. / little
thought, when passing through here
some fifteen years ago. that would re-
turn at this time, as representative in
congress, to be greeted by SO ddstin-