The Washington herald., 1908-04-18
FLEET MOVES TO-DAY
Gala Time at San Diego Ends
with Ball at Hotel.
FREE SHOWS FOR JACK TAR
Officers Watch Ostriches Get Their
Feathers PIucked-Lenten Season
Does Not Interfere with YOunE
Persons, Who Dance Until Mid
night-Leads the Grand March.

San Diego, April 17.-San Diego is still
running fairly strong In this battle-ship-
heet-reception-h on-hurrah-boyS affair. but at
times to-day she showed signs OF be-
ing somewhat shoTt-winded.
Bluejackets crowded the streets, as
usual. but there was a noticeable let-up
IN public desire 10 fall on their necks
and proclaim them the greatest things
ever and forever. Late tonight, san
Diego can go 10 bed. and sleep late in
the morning. for when she wakes up the
ships. which viii sail soon after day
light. will be gone. Then San Diego can
thud TO earth again.
To-day's events were less spectacular
than those Of the preceding days. A conf
mittee OF la .es dealt out thousands of
glasses Of free lemonade in the beauti-
fully bedecked stand in the center of the
town, and every Jack tar got a boutOn-
Mere with the lemonade. AS Jack pinned
tho flowers over his manly chest he invari-
ably pulled at his fiat-top hat and said
Thank ye. lady"
Free Matinees, Too.
All the theaters gave a free matinee
performance this afternoon to all the men
In uniform. All the theaters were crowd
ed. Then there We're trotting races at
the Coronado race track.
The officers of the fleet were taken to
the Bentley ostrich farm, Mission Gin,
TO watch the employees pluck the feathers
from the birds. The ostriches cut up some,
and had 10 be held fast when tweez-
ers were applied and feathers yanked out
Most OF the officers got feather for a
souvenir.
There was a z NJ c. A basketball
game tonight. and the usual public band
concert on the roof OF the U. S. Grant
Hotel,
The chief social event of the evening
was the junior officers ball. at Hotel
Del Coronado The climax Of the Lenten
season cannot diminish the ardor of a
social buds love of gold-braided uniforms
nor interfere with the rush OF ensigns
and midshiDmen 10 attach pretty girls 10
their bowed elbows. and neither could
the solemnity of Good Friday keep the
heels OF the young folk firmly on the
floor when sprightly dance music struck
up. So there were gay times at the big
went into effect, and the gay young fell
lows had TO hurry aboard ship
Leads the Grand March.
Miss Julia Grant, daughter OF Gen. Z.
S. Grant, jr., and Ensign Alexander
Sharp. Of the Connecticut led the grand
march. and the next three couples We're:
Miss Jessie Burbeck and Ensign L. NJ
Atkins, OF the Connecticut; Miss Isabel
Ingle and Aiidshipman E. II. Mayheld.
OF the Connecticut, and Miss Helen Up
degraff and Midshipman H +. Spencer,
of tho Illinois.
AT midnight San Diego said its farewell
70 the feet with a grand salute at Point
Iona Fifteen red lights fiared up as
the clock struck u. Thirteen high-curving
rockets arched the rays OF light out over
the ocean, and thirteen enormous bombs,
each thirteen inches in diameter, doomed
out the last roar. The only drawback
was the regret that It al could not have
happened on the 18th OF the month, as
well as on Friday
Probably it viii be several days be
fore San Diego can reconcile herself 10
dropping back into the accustomed place
OF a delightful and a more or less con-
EpicuOus California city. She will then
count up the cost. She has spent her
money lavishly, and viii probably try 20
forecast the results.