The San Francisco call., 1907-01-28

Your prosperity seems to be of the
kind that is labeled, Shake well before
taking"
1t was William Jennings Bryan who
gave his impressions of a short visit to
San Francisco in this phrase as he
Annex yesterday afternoon surrounded
by A number Of the old guard of the
Democratic party of California. 1t was
Sunday, and Bryan never makes set
speech on the first day of the week. but
his scruples did not prevent him from
chatting in an amiable way with the
group Of his well-tri admirers.
It told them to save me a day for San
Francisco and they saved me Sunday,
Bryan went on. I should like to have
got some OF you fellows together and
made you a speech"
Gavin McNab said something about
the morals of the municipality having
been shaken as well. and intimated that
the lost speech would have been good
for us all Then James z. Mcguire told
the Great Commoner'' that the land on
which he stood was public property,
and Bryan said. with smile:
Il did not know you had gone so far
in the doctrine of public ownership"
Judge Coffey insisted on talking
about the japanese invasion. but Bryan
was wary. He proved a good listener.
saying that he was anxious to learn
what the people thought. but he turned
the conversation artfully 10 the recon
struction OF Russia, the next Duma- the
future OF China, and other equally safe
topics.
When Roosevelt's name was men
toned he lost his reticence and told his
listeners how the President had stolen
his thunder on more than one occasion.
He has taken a good deal from u.s.
he said. but then we took good deal
from the Populists. so perhaps we can
not sue him for larceny"
Every one was enjoying the repartee
when James =. Phelan appeared and
announced lunch. and Bryan was led
of to the grillroorn. where the ex-
Mayor entertained party of fourteen,
Bryan sitting at the head of the table.
The other guests were: Mrs. Bryan.
Senator A. Caminetti and Mrs. Can't
netti Colin NJ Boyd and Mrs. Boyd, w.
H. Afford. Assemblymen P. w. Forbes,
J. o. Davis. z. NJ. Baxter. Senator ]. @.
Sanford. Major Rathborn and ]. G. Ma
guire. The luncheon was an inform al
affair and there were no speeches.
Afterward the party returned to the
lobby of the hotel and introductions
and hapdshaking took UP the hour un-
til II was time for Bryan to leave.
Among those who greeted the guest of
the day were H. E. Carter, L. F. Tread
well. william n. Cannon. James J.
Finn, William r. Wheeler. Thomas
Pindar. Judge Ferral, Charles Gildea. j.
w. Hicks. George T. Rolley. Thomas
Walsh. James H. Barry, Thomas A Ner-
ney, Charles Edelman. Judge Coffey,
Gavin McNab, James G. Mcguire and
George A Knight
Bryan had been taken for a short
autorno bile ride earlier in the day by
James D. Phelan While going through
the burned district Bryan expressed his
admiration for the pluck which had ac-
complished so much in rebuilding the
city.
What you have already done to ef-
face the marks of the fire." said Bryan,
proves to me that the commercial
forces behind this city cannot be over
estimated"
Late in the afternoon he left the no.
tel to take the night train for Los An
geles. AS his carriage drove away
from the porch of the st. Francis his
admirers gave MIN parting cheer.
Among those who welcomed Bryan
when he arrived at the St Francis was
George A. knight, Republican national
committeeman. Knight was introduced
TO Bryan as the man who seconded the
nomination of President Roosevelt at
Chicago. and Bryan said:
Il am glad to meet you, Mr.. Knight,