Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-12
PLEA FOR BIG NAVY
TALKS TO CALIFoR-
MIA NAVAL RESERVES.
Afterward Takes a Stroll Among the
Big Trees at Santa
Cruz.

A dispatch from Santa Cruz. Cal, yes
terday sOys: President Roosevelt was given
an ovation here this morning. The train
arrived at 1856. He was received at the
station by the reception committee and
escorted to a carriage drawn by two black
horses.
After drive on Beach Hill, where he
had good view of the bay and city, the
President was driven along Pacific ave-
nue., which was crowded with an immense
throng. His carriage was driven through
an avenue of thousands of school children
with waving flags who, for a mile. scat
tered flowers along his pathway. The
cheers Of the children were taken I'D by
the pioneers, the Grand Army, Knights
Of Pythias and citizens.
When the carriage stopped in front Of
the court house the cheering was vigorous
On being introduced by Mayor Clark, the
President, whose smiles testified to his
appreciation of the reception, said:
L wish to say word, especially to the
men Of the Grand Army and representa-
tives OF the pioneers, to the men who
proved their loyalty in the supreme test
of 1851 to 1866, and to the pioneers who
showed their patriotism in winning the
golden west for their country. 1 thank
you from the bottom of my heart. 1t is
pleasure for me to see the men of the
naval militia. If there Is one thing this
country is alive to it is our navy We
must believe in first-class navy. We al
ready have a good navy. but we must have
better one. Not only should we have
good guns, good coming towers and tur-
rets, but expert men with them. We cam
not affard to neglect our navy. We must
build 1t up; we must have the best of
fighting ships and the best of men to man
them.
Preceded by the naval reserves and band
the procession moved slowly UP the street
to special train. The big trees were
reached in fifteen minutes and the party
sat down to an al fresco luncheon. Twenty
of Santa Cruz's prettiest young women
waited on the tables. The naval reserves
acted as guard At the close of the re-
past the President said: II want to thank
you for your courtesy and to say how much
enjoy being here. This is my first glimpse
OF the big trees. I desire to pay tribute to
the associations, private owners and state
for preserving these trees, and also to the
citizens who acted in cooperation with the
state in preserving these wonderful trees.
Let me preach to you moment. All of us
desire to see nature preserved. Above all,
the trees should not be married by placing
cards of names on them. People who do
that should be sternly discouraged. The
cards give an air of ridicule to the solemn
and majestic giants. They should be taken
down. l ask you to keep all cards off the
trees or any kind of signs that will mar
them.
The President requested that he be I'M
accompanied in his walk among the trees.
and President Butler was his only COM
panion. While he was away Secretary
Loeb. President Wheeler and others acted
on the Presidents suggestion by tearing
down the cards from the trees amid great
applause. During the luncheon the Presi-
dent was informed that the Spanish beans
served at luncheon had been prepared by
Mrs. ]. M. Gesetterest, who resides near
jacksonville, and who is the mother of
thirty-four children. He laughed heartily
saying, 'She should be made the president
of some association"
The Pioneers Society presented to the
President a silver plate. A tree was dedi-
Gated in the Presidents honor. The Presi-
dent expressed his thanks, but he objected
to big sign with his name on 1t. At 80
amid great cheering from the large crowd,
the train left for San Jose.