Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-24
|WARSHIPS VISITED
BY 10000 PERSONS
MANY TAKE LUNCH IN GUNS
SHADOW
Lesson in Courtesy Given Visitor by
an Officer of the Vermont.
Officers Praise Spirit
Shown Them

San Pedro experienced one of her
busiest days yesterday, when 10000
people visited the warships lying in
five trips to the Connecticut, carrying
about 700 passengers each trip. The
Mermaid Albatross and Hermosa also
made many trips loaded to the gun
wales with passengers.
Hundreds of visitors carried their
lunches and sat around on the decks
of the ships in the shade of the big
guns and ate while the bands played.
Four boys were ordered from the
Kansas yesterday afternoon for un-
gentlemanly conduct while near women
on the lower deck.
A lesson in courtesy was adminis-
tered a man yesterday in one of the
steam launches of the Vermont. Sew
eral people wished to go ashore, and
as there were no shore boats in sight
the officer of the deck ordered a
launch alongside. A man in the party
rushed down the gangway and boarded
the boat as it drew near. A number
of women followed, but there were not
enough seats for all of them. The Of
! ficer came down to see If there was
room, and saw this man sitting down
while the women were standing up.
"Get up there, sir; you are not in a
street car, and we are taught to be
gentlemen in the navy"
Wife Joins Commander
Lieutenant Commander A. Althouse
| of the Vermont entertained his wife
on board the Vermont yesterday. Mrs.
Althouse said: ''If arrangements can
be made I intend to make the trip
around the world with Mr.. Althouse.
At any rate, will go north with hin" "
In talking about the reception given
the fleet Mr.. A1thouse said: "The en-
thusiastic, whole-souled welcome ex-
tended by the people of San Diego and
Los Angeles and neighboring ports
surpassed all expectations. The men
particularly are enjoying hospitality
never before displayed by any people
within my knowledge. The amuse-
ments provided for them were whole
some and such as to make their visit
here live long on their memory"
Lieutenant Commander Philip An
drews executive officer of u. S. S.
Kansas, said: "I was here four years
ago on the flagship New York as flag
lieutenant to Rear Admiral Glass, now
retired and living in Berkeley, Cal. I
have many friends in Los Angeles and
am proud of the place and its people
ana WOulQ ike IOIHlIS DeIlef Iudl u
be able to live here. The reception of
and hospitality extended to the officers
and men of the fleet are unprecedent-
ed and is probably correct forecast
of what may be expected all along the
Pacific coast.
sit has been particularly gratifying
to the officers that so much has been
done for the men-so much of interest
and amusement furnished-which will
keep them away from the ordinary and
vicious amusements of large city,
First Visit to Coast
W.. Cecil Colbert, chief yeoman
on the Kansas and private secretary
to the executive officer. said:
"This is my first visit to the shore
of the land of flowers and sunshine;
therefore 1 had no friends here prior
to the arrival of the fleet, but I must
say that during our brief stay I have
made the acquaintance of many nice
people. I had always imagined that
would like California very much, and
am pleased to state that my expecta-
tions have been fully realized. 1 like
Los Angeles and her people so we'll
that it is quite likely that at some fu-
ture time 1 will make it my perma-
nent abode.
"Our brief stops along the coast,
Wnlle the pleasure we are having 1ully
compensates, there is nevertheless a
great deal of work to perform by the
executive officer and his aides relative
to liberty lists and functions of every
sort, which the very hospitable people
of Los Angeles and other cities of CAL
ifornia have provided.
During our stay of seven days off
Los Angeles liberty party, consisting
of 200 men each day, not a man on
board entitled to same and when it
was possible to do so has been kept
on board ship. Considering the large
party sent ashore, the absentees have
been comparatively few, especially so
on the Kansas, the average absentees
from crews of about 875 on each ship
in the first division, anchored at San
Pedro are as follows: Vermont, 70;
Louisiana, So; Kansas. 26. OF course
1t is to be understood that these men
will no doubt return on board their
ships, but at present the hospitality of
Los Angeles proves too much for
them and they have forgotten the navy
for a few days.
Liberty was granted from a. m.
until 7 a. m. the following day, thus
giving the boys ample time to get
about the city and witness the several
daily entertainments prepared for
them, which kind hospitality l assure
you, is heartily appreciated from the
admiral down to the coal passers. I,
for one, do. Three cheers for Los An
peIesi'