New-York tribune., 1901-05-19
HRS. NKINLEY IMPROVING.
THE PRESIDENT SEES THE BATTLESH1P
OHIO LAUNCHED.
FRANCISCO BAY AND A NOTABLE
SPEECH TO woRKINGMEN

San Francisco. May 1s-Fortunately Mrs.
McKinleys condition to-day permitted President
Mckinley to attend the launching Of the battle
ship Ohio from the yards of the Union Iron
Works. To witness the launching of this ship.
named in honor of his native State was the
real object of the Presidents long trip across
the continent. and il also had attracted TO the
Pacific Coast the Governors of three States. the
Ohio delegation in Congress- several United
States Senators, and many other we'll known
people. Dramatic and picturesque as was the
sight of fourteen thousand tons OF steel sliding
into the full breasted tide Of San Francisco Bay
1t was not splendid and magnificent as the
great naval pageant which accompanied it, nor
so profoundly impressive the greeting given
TO the President by the employees of the ship
yard. With the threat of a great strike i'm
pending, the Presidents words to the working
men to-day had added significance. and his
references to the expansion and other national
questions made his speech. probably the last he
will deliver his present tour. in every re-
spect notable one
When the President left the sick of his
wife this morning every arrangement had been
made to inform him on the instant of any
change for the worse in her condition. The ply
sicians assured him that there was no indica-
tion of a setback, but at his request telegraphic
connections were made at the wharf and at the
shipyard. and except for the time he was on
the water, he minute away from df-
rect connection with the Scott house. In his
absence at the launching Mrs. Mckinley slept
quietly, and il reported 70 the President
that her condition was constantly improving.
At $50 D. m Secretary Cortelyou issued the
following bulletin:
Mrs. McKinley's physicians report that she has
had comfortable day but that there is a slight
rise of temperature tonight.
1t was announced at the Scott house late this
most favorable
Last evening 1t was thought that Mrs. Nc
Kinley might safely be put on eastbOund
train as early as next Monday or Tuesday. but
IL is more likely that she will not be able TO
travel for at least ten days TO come In fact. one
circumstance indicates strongly that the Presi-
dent and his official family may be compelled
TO remain in the city for even longer time
than that. This fact is that the John Hooper
house. at Clay and Laguna sts., has been offered
to the President for the use of the members of
the Cabinet in order that they might be near
him for the consideration Of affairs of state
The offer was considered. but no definite answer
has been given
News that Mrs. Mckinley had decidedly i'm
proved came this morning. after a quiet and
uneventful night After the announcement by
Secretary Cortelyou at 1880 O'Clock last night
once was any one seen TO stir about the house.
Shortly after midnight the nurse raised the wfn-
dow blind in the sickroom few inches. and
for time the light in the room burned more
brightly. This was thought by some of the
watchers the outside to indicate a change
for the worse. but there later develop
ments TO warrant the acceptance Of this theory.
At $40 a. m Secretary Cortelyou issued the
following bulletin:
Drs. Hirschfeder Gibbons and Cushing met
DR.. Rixie at s a m. and found Mrs. MckinIey's
condition decidedly improved since last evening
(For details Of the launching Of the Ohio and
President McKiney's speech see Page 81