Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-24
DOUBT IF
EVANS MAY
HANDSHAKE
PHYSICAL CONDITION JUSTI-
FlES AUTO GREETING
MAYOR HARPER URGES PUBLIC
RECEPTION
Executive Committee to Determine
Between Two Popular Plans to
Greet Naval Hero-DaVid
Evans Views

II Mayor Harper has his way recep-
tion. to Admiral Evans and his officers
on the great fleet will be held at Fiesta
park The committee on the entertain
inent of officers Saturday decided that
il would be impractical to hold such
a reception either at Fiesta park or
elsewhere and that, in preference, Adj
mirai Evans and the fleet dignitaries
be taken through the city on slow
moving automobile tour.
Mayor Harper and others of the COM
mittee are to oppose the decision OF
the committee on the entertainment of
officers at the session of the executive
committee this afternoon. The mayor
says the people want to see Fighting
Bob and his brother officers and greet
them at close range and that the num-
ber that may pay $25 a plate to see
them is very few. For this reason he
favors the public reception at Fiesta
park on the afternoon of the first day.
after which the distinguished visitors
are to be taken to the banquet at the
Alexandria.
Difference to Evans
Those who favor the automobile trip
are paying large Difference to the
physical condition of Admiral Evans.
He has been known to be suffering
from the severe rheumatic pains that
are the result of injuries received IN
the civil war and which are sometimes
made to recur by any extraordinary
charge on his vitality. They say there
is no sense in furnishing him by hand
shaking, or IL he be protected from
that that he be made the focal point of
a crowd that may number 100,0O0 or
more and be hours in seeing" him.
They believe the tour of the admiral
and his brother officers in autos
through the downtown streets an econ
omy of time for both the admiral and
the public. giving both a chance to
see and be seen, and that it will not
fatigue the party before the banquet.
II will also eliminate the immense
problem of handling such a crowd at
one point and It's certain chance OF dis
aster, will permit children to line the
streets and see their hero, which would
hardly be possible if the little ones
had to be toted through large crowa.
David Evans View
David Evans of Santa Monica,
cousin of the Admiral and chairman OF
the Santa Monica bay fleet committee,
favors the automobile method or let
ting the public see Fighting BOD.
s.While | am not authorized to speak
for the admiral" said Mr.. Evans, II
do not believe he could carry out
program of a public reception If 1t was
arranged. The mayor is right in hold
ing that every opportunity be given the
public. But Admiral Evans would
have to delegate the reception duties
to some one else, for his physical con-
dition would not permit of handshak-
ing or any long period of greeting. The
automobile idea seems to me TO soiVe
the problem best. While he could and
would ride in an automobile it is very
likely that he would have to disappoint
the public at a reception arranged on
the usual scale.
.,I saw him at Magdalena bay,' con-
tinued Mr.. Evans, 'direct the anchor
ing of the Georgia when she returned
from target practice. He stood on the
bridge somewhat emaciated from his
illness but full of action and enthu-
siasm. When the Georgia was brought
TO anchor he happily ran up the signal,
SWELL done; Georgia. Such a duty
seemed agreeable to him. but ! should
seriously doubt If he would entertain
the idea of platform reception.
Mr. Evans will attend the commlttee
meeting today, representing the santa
Monica bay counties.
The committee will be asked TO re-
view the work of the committee ON the
entertainments of officers which COM
pletes the program for the week.
Sunday at San Pedro
Another matter that will be dis
cussed will be the proposal OF Motley
H. Flint that the fleet be kept together
in San Pedro all of Sunday. April w.
so that the day may be useful to the
public in visiting it, While he thinks
the parade of the fleet from San Pedro
to Santa Monica. and return would be
an imposing spectacle, he is not SO
sure that 1t would be one that the pub
lie could follow and enjoy. A limited
number on water craft or on troileys
might see it, but the greater number
would be better served by keeping IL
together in San Pedro harpor.