The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
Thomas Soon to Command Fleet
JOYOUS WHIRL TO
End FLEET WEEK

Continued From Page i, Column 3.
feet championships were held today at
Chutes park, where the four days en-
tertainnent for the men was concluded.
During the week drills on board ship
have almost been dispensed with De-
cause of the draft upon officers and
men ashore.
staff officers of the feet are busy in
the midst of all the festivities prepar-
ing for the continuation of the cruise
up the coast and concluding prellnln- :
ary arrangements for the trip around
the world The press of work IN thls
particular is very heavy. With the
schedule of entertainments ahead OF
them. the officers are inclined TO teei
that they Will have none too much time
for the important duties Of preparing
for the long cruise ahead
AUTO TOUR FOR OFFICERS
The automobile tour today of the 29o
sofscers and so prominent citizens OF
Los Angeles covered large part OF
Los Angeles ouuty and traversed most
Of the cities and towns. More than 90
machines Were used TO convey the
party. which left headquarters at 10
o'clock The majority of the ofncers
had remained in the city over night
following the ball in the Auditorium
last night They were Joined today by
many others. who had drawn lots TO de-
eide who might have the privilege OF
taking today's trip.
The route taken lay east from the
city. where the party was driven over
the macadamized highway TO Pasa-
dena, where they were received py
local authorities and rendered COM
plimentary luncheon at the Maryland
of
board Of trade. Hundreds OF school
children participated in the exercises
which were given in honor of the Wis
itors-
After a drive through the beautiful
residence portion OF the Crown city the
machines were driven through the IN
terVening valley TO Hollywood. Ihe
route here lay through the vast orange
and lemon groves and past orchards oi
figs and olives that lined the highway
The country sections of southern Cali
fornia were in their best dress after
the rain Of yesterday and all OF the
snlendor of the semitropical verdurf
was shown.
VETERANS CHEER NAVY MEN
The reception at sawtelIe. where
soousands of veterans of the civil wal
cheered the officers, was most impress
sive. The cordiality shown was
marked. The party was shown over
the building and grounds ot 1se M
tional soldiers honey
The automobile parade was halted al
Santa Monica long enough for mayor
Dudley to present to Admiral Thomas
on behalf OF the city Of Santa Monica
the historic bronze gavel that was the
nropertv of Lord Nelson on the flagship
Victory Of the British navy when he
was in command Of the victorious
force s at the battle of Trafalgar
Through Admiral Thomas the gave
will md its way TO Admiral Evans, foi
whom it was intended
ONCE GYPSY TACK HAMMER
According TO the story tTanscrioee
on vellum and accompanying the saNel
the relic was taken many years age
from an English battleship anchored
of Yarmouth by an old sailor. he
gavel was given by the sailor 10
wandering gypsy. who in turn altel
long wears gave il c. F. Pettus oi
Santa. Monica. but who was then
resident of Cambridge. England. ms
gaveI gives every indication of age anC
is apparently genuine and very Val
uable. II is in the form Of the I'M
perial Lion and when recovered IRON
the wandering gypsy was being usee
as tack hammer. Plainly and deeply
words. ..Horatio Nelson, victory
Tomorrow the flagship Connections
has hen reserved for the use OF the
mem bers Of the Los Angeles reception
committee and their families. Many oi
the ships are receiving large delega-
tions from the state societies. In Los
Angeles Former residents of Connect
icut Kansas. Vermont. Rhode Island
Georgia. Kentucky. Alabama and Other
-+scfF TaTiOIE Sn1ns
named after their respective states.
Rear Admiral Thomas, after receiv'
ing a letter from Mayor Forward Of
San Diego commencing the sailors o.
the fleet for their behavior at tha
port. has added his own congratula
tfons in the following communication
posted aboard all the vessels Of th'
feet:
MEN ARE COMMENDED
.T. S. s. Connections, Flagship, sar
Pedro. Cal, April 21. 1s0S-Sir: Th'
following is an extract from lette'
received by the senior officer presen
published for the information of th'
fleet. The senior officer present com
mends the men for their conduct II
deserving this expression Of admira
ton:
Dear Sir: desire to express TO you. and
through you TO the sailor boys Of the feet, on
shown BY them toward the people Of the cit.
of San Diego during their stay among US. Ou
city was thrown open TO the sailor boys OF tn
feet. and ! have yet 10 hear OF any breach o
The loyalty and devotion of our people to th
navy is Of the kind that while il honors AM
RESPECTS the officers includes also respect AM
consideration for the sailor boys. whom recog
nize as a very important facter in the efbc
iency Of the Cnlted States navy. They ar
. alwevs welcome visitors 10 San Diego. Wit
. kindest personal regards. am. very truly yours
JOHN FORWARD. Mayor.
Charles NJ Tbomss. Rear Admiral, L. S. n.
senior officer present
PROMOTIONS ARE ANNOUNCED
WASHINGTON. April 2s.-Order
were issued at the navy depart
ment late yesterday detaching Rea
Admiral Charles NJ. Thomas from dut.
as commander of the second squadron
on board the battieship Minnesota, Il
duty in command of the United State
Atlantic fleet. on board the Connecti
cut. This change is to take effect ol
Nav 8. when Rear Admiral Evans !
relieved.
Rear Admiral w. A. Emery is dis
charged from duty in command of tn
second division, first squadron, and vii
command the fourth division. seconl