Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-23
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHEERS DEMAND FOR A
FREE HARBOR FRONT
EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL BANQUET HELD
All Speakers Allude to Harbor Question and Ap,
prevail of Freedom from Corporation Control
Wins Great Applause Patriotism
Divides Interest of Night

I'm HE civic advancement of Los An
geles. the establishment of free
a harbor at San Pedro and the
successful completion Of the owens
river auueduct were the enthusing
themes of the speakers at the eight
zenith annual banquet and installation
OF officers of the Los Angeles chamber
of commerce last night. No banquet
of former years has approached the
one last night in unanimity OF senu-
ment and spontaneity From the first
TO the last the mention of the free har-
har brought unmistakable Endorsement
ana every speaker gained his greatest
applause from reference to the eman-
cipation of the harbor privileges.
Four hundred sat at the panquet
table. The spacious hall at Levys
was decorated profusely with the ma
tional colors and Washington pictures,
and depending from green garlandeo
chandelier in the center We're strands
of green and flowers lighted by red,
white and blue electric bulbs. Hand
in hand with the patriotic demonstra-
TONS which We're inspired as well by
liberal orchestral numbers as by Ter
vid sentences, the harbor question was
paramount and the great audience
seemed to regard 1t as fitting for the
dav celebrated The celebration was
nafriotic in the larger and the smaller
wavs and the enthusiasm and deter
miHation in both were never mlnimlzed.
The banquet was one OF the pest
ever served in the city. The menu
was choice and diverse and the service
an illustration of discipline. The SOU
yenjrs for the occasion were silk prints
Of an categorical design representing
the goddess of fortune exposing a cor
nucopja above an industrial figure be-
fore which were half dozen sealed
boxes. One. standing apart. was
labeled Los Angeles Chamber OF Com
merce" The others were unmarked.
IN the background was a. vista OF the
city The idea was that with Los An
gelas as a foundation the other cities
Of the county whose interests are iden-
tical with it should combine Tor
greater city.
Patriotic Features
The patriotic feature OF the pan
otet. always memorable one, was
singing by the entire audience OF
medley of American home songs.
.Dixie.s my Old Kentucky Home.
.sYanlxee Doodle" "Old Black Joe,
..Trampi TRAMP" "Old Folks at
Home and others, ending with ''Glory'
Glory, Hallelujah!'' and "fhe star
SDangled Banner. 4AhVy NSho
with a spirit that was unmlstakapiy
Datriotic. Not more so, though, tnah
when retiring President w. D. Steph-
ems. IN taking the head of the table:
called for toast to "The freslaeht VI
the United States" ,oa
The guests leaped to their feet, raiseu
high their glasses and waved lneii
napkins, while they cheered ana snout-
ed "Teddyi Teddy"
Equally as impressive ana movlns
was the silent toast, drunk standing
~ the memory of George washington.
Other toasts were drunk to the relirlns
and newly installed presidents. me
toast to Secretary Frank Virgins was
in the nature of an ovation Tor thas
nonnlar official, and manifested ltseli
h long continued cheering.
Unanimous on Harhors
while there was enthusiasm and friV-
olitv there was a serious undertone 10
t1a whole evening, The addresses I'M
tied as they were, were careluny PR
nared and abounded In practlcal PM,
asonhv which was instantly recoghlzeu
ana annroyed. There was no mistah-
ING the unanimity of sentiment on tns
baTbor question. Every speaker voleeu
the nurrJose to preserve the harnor
rights Tor all the people equaliy, ano
every Speaker received abundant ap-
nroval. And one of the most hperally
anplauded sentences was that III Ju45e