Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-05
TAFT GREETED BY
SAN FRANCISCO
MISS ROOSEVELT AND PARTY
WARMLY WELCOMED
WILL STUDY CHINESE CASE
Secretary Says He Will Inform Him
self Thoroughly on Question
From the Standpoint Of
California
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 4.-Secretary
Of War Taft and party arrived here at
5:45 O'Clock this evening, their entry
being entirely devoid of ostentation. A
hearty greeting was extended the visit
ors by 5000 citizens, who assembled at
the ferry depot to witness the conclu-
sion of the notable trip across the con-
tinent.
The moment Secretary Taft and Miss
Roosevelt stepped off the boat they
took waiting automobile and were
Immediately taken to the Palace hotel
The remainder of the party followed in
closed carriages AS the automobile
proceeded through the crowded streets
of the city Miss Roosevelt and Secre-
tar Taft bowed Acknowledgment to the
applause that was accorded them.
The distinguished visitors have come
in the midst of exceptionally warm
weather IOr IHe IeSlOll duouI san
Francisco bay, the thermometer hav-
ing registered "a degrees in this city
today. None of the party, however,
was affected by the unusual warmth.
That he might make an inspection of
Carquinez straits for the purpose of
making a report to the president on
the application to place a railroad
bridge across the span of water, Secre-
tary Taft left the special train at
Sparks, New, and took another special
OF three cars to Port Costa. While but
few hours were devoted to the exam
ination of the proposed location of the
bridge, the inspection was thorough.
Secretary Taft said tonight that he had
not determined what would be the ma
ture of his report on the proposed
bridge. After the inspection Mr.. Taft
Joined the party at Benicia and pro-
ce:sded to San Francisco.
"The primary object of this trip"
said Secretary Taft, As to go to the
Philippines to look into the matters
that are Immediately within the prov
ince of the war department. The sena-
tors and congressman who are included
in the party will be thoroughly ac-
ouainted with the needs of the islands"
viii Study Chinese Question
Secretary Taft announced his deter
nnination to look thoroughly into the
California side of the Chinese exclu-
sion question while in California.
II am thoroughly in favor of the en-
forcement of the Chinese exclusion
law" said Mr.. Taft, "but I am quite
sure that it was never the intent of the
law to bar Chinese merchants and stu
dents from the United States. Such
policy would work a serious hardship
to our trade in China
The Taft party spent several minutes
in the hotel court and then retired to
their apartments. A suite of nine
rooms, which Miss Roosevelt, Miss
Boardman and Miss McMullin VI I oc-
cupy. had been brightly decorated with
red roses and carnations. A large pri-
vate dining room had also been pre-
pared but the party dined in the regu-
lar cafe
A busy four days will be spent by
the party before their departure next
Saturday on the steamer Manchuria
for the Orient, en- route to the Philip
pines Among the points Of interest
which will be visited are the home of
Luther Burbank in Santa Rosa and the
Bohemian club grove at Gurnev'lle.
On Thursday evening large reception
will be held in the ball room of the
Palace hotel, after which the gentle-
men of the party will enjoy banquet
Friday morninC will be devoted to an
excursion about the bay on the Slocum
and visit to the Preside and island
military posts. In the afternoon the
party will visit the University at
Berkeley Friday night reception will
be given in honor of Secretary Taft