Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-25
ADMIRAL RECEIVES
THREE DELEGATIONS
WELCOMES THEM ABOARD
BATTLESHIP CONNECTICUT
Chamber of Commerce, Fleet Execu-
tive Committee and Bishop
Conaty's Party Have Ship
to Themselves

Admiral Thomas stayed aboard the
Connecticut yesterday and spent the
afternoon in entertaining visitors from
Los Angeles. During the afternoon he
received the directors of the Los An
geles chamber of commerce. the mem
bers of the fleet executive committee
and a party of clergy and others who
came with Bishop Conaty. No others
were admitted to the ship except two
or three small parties who were guests
of officers
One reason why the Connecticut was
isolated from the thousands of visitors
was that she needed a cleaning before
starting for Santa Barbara. She got
it, but it would have been difficult with
a large number of visitors aboard. The
other reason was that Admiral Thomas
wanted to receive his guests without
a throng.
The admiral told several that with
him leaving Los Angeles was au revoir,
not good by. Not that he intends to
live here when he retires, but because
he expects to spend about three months
in Southern Californi-- Immediately
after the San Francisco festivities. He
will make a. long visit to the Yosemite
region. He expects to reach New York
in October and about that time sail
for Europe for an absence of two
years. Admiral Thomas has been In
the navy since 1861 (the year he en-
tered Annapolis) until now. He will
retire May IA, five days after Fighting
Bob retires.
When the chamber of commerce di-
rectors came aboard the admiral was
at the gangway to meet President
Stewart and Secretary Virgins, whom
he knew He was presented with an
armload of flowers. He returned
thanks and turned to find Captain Os-
terhaus at his side.
That's your luck" said Captain Os-
terhaus, smiling. "If you had stayed
ashore would have got the posies."
The admiral offered to share them.
A messenger was sent ahead to place
them in his quarters, after which the
visitors were dispatched about the bat
tleship in charge of several officers.
The visitors, including the wives and
children of the directors, were shown
every detail including the turrets and
the engine rooms.
The second party on board was
Bishop Conaty's, which was welcomed
by the admiral and Captain Osterhaus.
A little chat in the saloon preceded
|
When the fleet committee, headed by
Mayor Harper, came aboard the adj
miral said he was satisfied. He in
uuired how many were aboard. He
was told about 150
"What a nice little picnic" he said.
After all were shown around the ships
boats took them ashore, as they had
brought them. The admiral stood at
the starboard rail shaking hands as
they passed down the gangway to the
boats. AS each boat pulled away there
was a f1utter of hands and handker-
chiefs and several sang the Star
Spangled Banner"
Joseph Scott, who was toastmaster
at the banquet, was the one man on
board yesterday who could not miss
an invitation. He was invited on the
bishops launch. He is member of
the fleet committee and a director of
the chamber of commerce. He was
kept busy during his visit by trying
to answer three little boy SCOTS, who
knew how to cross examine nearly as
we'll as their father.
1t was intended to send the entire
party to the hospital ship Relief during
the afternoon. but as she moved away
during the morning this visit was not
possible.