The Washington herald., 1907-06-02

Thus spoke Samuel Hart. manager or
Lausbwghs stores. last night iu SUM-
ming up his memories Of trip which
began in Washington April = ana ended
May %. In that time Mr.. Hart and his
twenty-four companions from this city
and Baltimore swung around a circle from
81. Louis where the fun really began,
TO Los Angeles, up the California Coast
10 Vancouver. and back 10 the States oT"r
the Canadian Pacific. through Minneapolis
and ST. Paul to Chicago. and thence TO
Washington
The main purposes of the trip was 10
attend the Imperial Council of the Mystic
Shrine. which convened In Los Angeles.
and incidentally to meet the Shriners i'm
the cities between here and there and I'm
other points beyond, and TO see the beau
ties of the wonderful Western country.
70 which lIr. Hart declares no verbal
description can do justice
Mr. Hart said the hospitality of the
shriners iu the Western cities was indc-
scr!bably spontaneous, sincere, and un-
stinted. No sooner had the Shriners train
reached ST. Louis than the occupants Of
the cars were taken in hand. he said
conveyed @ hotels fed. taken about the
city, and made TO feel that they we're at
Lcme In the "enemv's country
Tour Oue Continuous Fcte.
Mr. Hart explained that the Shriners
in the cities west Of the Mississippi.
River had made great preparations for
the coming Of the Eastern Shrinerz. and
as every train came 20 the depot Ct was
met by o delegation and the visitors
given d genuine welcome 20 all there was
70 see and eajov. Il was. he said a con
t!nuous fete. Even az the smaller towns.
where the trains stopped but "a few min
utes. the Shriners were there 10 meet the
delegates and make them feel that they
were among friends lIr. Hart declared
nothing Ike lt had ever been experienced
by those I'm his car. ard they were first
surprised. then delighted. then filed with
wonder, and finally with gratitude, that
members of the order would c1 % such
lengths % make visitors happy while
away from home
Mr.. Hart said that in Kansas City =ve-
Cial and elaborate arrangements were
ua1s for tie visit Of the fra;ers from
the East An electric display had bccn
arranged which he said, surpassed any
thing of the kind he had over seen. On
three streets of the city lines pf mean
descent lights were strung across the in
tersectiug streets. covered with many
coIorod Chinese lanterns. The effect was
10 make the city as light as day. and
90 give n variety OF color that vs. !.'-
d1scrib1b-o One store was lighted with
thousands Of electric bulbs. and the busi-
moss streets generally We're brilliant wiki
light
u addition to this. every wish and
whim of the visitor was gratited. There
were committees 20 look after the enjoy
ment Of the men. and others 70 care Tor
the ladies'. and human ingenuity seemed
20 have been exhausted in the variety
of entertainment lIr- Hart said his train
reached Kansas City some time in the
afternoon, and left just before midnight
They We're diued twice at the leading
hotel Of the city The ladies' of the party
We're taken 90 % matinee. the men were
driven 90 the clubs and carried about the
CITY 20 see the sights. An evening Tecep-
ton was held ju their honor and the
ShfucTs. De said even took them 20 the
train and stuck f0 them until the con-
duct0r called "All aboard and the train
pulled from the station Mr. Hart said
he never could forget the generous treat
ment he received in Kansas City.
Dazzling Event in Los Angeles.
So he said. the reception Of the Wis
itors was continued nh the wgy around
the trip 20 Chicago.
largest convention Of SErtnrrs ever known.
The parade IN that city. the electric dis
play. and the great floral fiesta were
sights never 90 he forgotten Mr. Hart
said. After the parade immense floats
that had been prepared for the purpose
Illuminated with electric lights, were con
veycd along the ear tracks These
floats were made IN represent an kinds Of
precious stones from the diamond 90 the
emerald He said the floats looked Ike
great crystals. glowing with dazzling light
In such a way as almost TO blind the be-
holder On each Of the floats were girls
posed TO represent artistic and classic
figures. which made "a grand effect In the
glow from the hundreds Of iucandesceut
lights with which the floats were Humi-
mated.
The great floral display. which took two
hours 70 pass point. was "a revelation TO
the visitors from the East Every sort Of
bloom fer which Southern California is
celebrated was represented. as well rs its
fruits. in a pr0fusi0H that was staggering
in its extent. Mr.. Hart said one could
with difficulty believe that so many plants
and flowers and fruits could exist iu one
State. let alone one city and county
Enilroading In the West.
Mr. Hart said they had some experience
in rauroading that was not pleasant His
train passed the scene of fourteen wrecks.
in several of which q number Of persons
lost their lives. He said the day his train
pulled into San Francisco q little behind
the car carrying thirtv-two dead Shriners
was one Of the sadlest Of his life. sir
Hart said It was miracle that there
were not more accidents. for while going
out on the Santa Fe llEe the trains Were
running on n oue-minute schedule and
over that rough and uncertain r0adhcd.
lie declared. 10 was u wonder that any
came out alive 1fr Hart said that the
Shrlners on his train took turns for two
nights sitting mp with the brakeman 20
see that he did not sleep. and to keep
watch lest something should stop the train
and lead % rear-cnI collision
Mr.. Hart said me could not help but
compare the condition OF the roads in the
United States and those in Canada. much
% the advantage Of the latter He said
the difference in management in the com
fort oi passengers, and in the freedom
from accidents constituted strong arggl-
ment for the government control of rail-
r0ads-n0t ownership. but Federal control
that should force the companies 10 keep
roadbcds and facilities and regulations up
20 the conditions of safety. Speaking OF
the precautions taken for safety in Can