The San Francisco call., 1908-03-26
ASK FLEET TO WAIT
DAY FOR PRIMARIES
Members of Committee Will
Wire President Asking
Delay in Arrival
Fear Citizens Would Stay Away
From Polls and Neglect
Fight on Machine


will request President Roosevelt and
the navy department to direct Admiral
Evans to postpone for one day the con-
summation OF his plan TO capture San
Francisco on May s.
There is no lack OF characteristic
hospitality in the request that Fighting
Bob and his armada be restrained for
but q single day It springs rather
from q desire to protect San Francisco
slhd California from the effects of
spirit Of open handed hospitality which.
it is feared. might cause thousands of
citizens TO neglect an important civic
duty TO extend the glad hand OF well
come TO Evans. his lighting men and
lighting ships. Tuesday, May ;, is pri-
mary election day.
Bitter experience has taught the
friends of good government that it is
difficult 10 get good citizens TO the pri-
mary polls even when there are no eX-
traordinary counter attractions. If the
feet were to arrive on primary election
day. in accordance with the present
schedule. IL is feared that the push
would have the primary polls TO them
selves while the respectable citizens
were receiving the feet and entertain
ing the thousands that viii come from
other points in the state to join in the
demonstration
LEAGUE ASKS DELAY
The initiative in the matter of secur-
ing the brief postponement of the ar
rival Of the feet was taken by the state
executive committee of the Lincoln
Roosevelt league in this city. yesterday.
IT was felt that San Francisco would
not be affected alone but that through
out the state thousands of citizens
would neglect the primaries to join
UFf4h he Of in
welcoming the nations pride.
state Secretary Chester II. Rowell,
Executive Committeeman George L.
Center and F. H. Dam. chairman of the
republican county committee. laid the
matter before Mayor Taylor and the
general reception committee. The i'm
portance Of the proposed change was al
Dnce conceded by the men in charge of
the reception and Chairman James D
Phelan was instructed TO make the re-
quest on behalf Of the committee. Other
organizations viii take up the matter
directly with the navy department and
with President Roosevelt and it is be-
lieved that the change of program will
be easily arranged
Former Mayor ". r. Davis Of Oak
land was the principal speaker at the
Lincoln Roosevelt league luncheon at
Taits yesterday, which was attended
oy about 60 prominent republicans. All
the antimachine factions in the local
republican ranks were represented and
the enthusiasm with which the
speeches by Davis and President Frank
R. Devlin were received We're full of
sold comfort for the machine followers,
who have counted on local discord to
bring them success.
MAKES STIRRING PLEA
Davis speech was an eloquent plea
FOR participation in primary politics by
the great majority of men Of all par
ties who believe in good government,
but who permit the enemies of good
government to control their parties.
he said:
The great test question for this league and
for every man must be: Is government an
agency FOR public service, or is il TO be con-
sidered an Opportunity S FOR d9E private aq1ssntage
participates In the primary elections, with the
result that 6 per cent Of the vote Of the domi-
ventiOns and the character Of the elected
10 Office The effects OF this practice are
There are two great general causes for these
effects First. there is that active and insig-
as an opportunity 70 get ofnee, salaries, con.
tracts, graft, and that moral graft-personai
public This is the 10 per cent. The other go
per cent makes other things its exclusive pur-
be less culpable than the self-seeking minority,
but upon it lies the responsibility for permitting
the office hunter ana EraIter 10 seize the ma
chinery OF government
MUST STIMULATE VOTERS
II this league does not mean the stimulation
~ the inactive majority and the dscoura cement
nf the active minority. IL has no mission.
know that no man OF set OF men viii get con
troll Of this organization II &ny set of men
should get control Of II, it would mean new
set OF self seekers, Office hunters and ultimately
grsffers. and I know OF distinction among
grsfters. Let know every well
we may. Let select no man for any prefer
ment or for any service who In private and
public life has not been absolutely clean.
President Frank r. Devlin spoke
briefly Of the progress of the leagues
work throughout the state He said:
I hzre never for a moment doubted that the
people would respond 10 the issue. and
have that issue clearly before Never te-
fore have the people Of California had oppor-
funity to work through comprehensive organi-
zation for the overthrow of the powers that
have controlled and debanched the state. From
Eureka TO San Diego messages that
sresage the political cleansing that means the
business and moral cleansing Of this state. This
STATE must be and viii be freed from the con-
.frol which has prevented its commercial de-
velopment and plunged its men into moral
1egradation- The Lincoln Roosevelt league is
not afraid 10 point its finger at that control
The Southern Pacific company and its hired
political bureau. The shackles will be thrown
or not two or four years hence, but In this
year OF grace. 1908