The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-05-01
WHOLE DAY AT SEA FOR FLEET
SHIPS on THE WAY FROM SANTA
BARBARA TO SANTA CRUZ.
Men Glad to oct Away From Place WhoFe
they We're Made Victims q ExtOFtion
-WelcOmlng Crowds Gathering ct
MOnterey-shOw for Coast HamletS.

MOnt~erey-ShOw for Coast HamletS.
OK BOARD U. 8, 8. LOUISIANA AT SEA,
Via Point Arguello. Cal, April 80,
The battleship feet will arrive at Mon
terey Bay at 7 O'Clock Friday morning.
II is proceeding close to the shore on the
way from Santa Barbara, afiording the
people on the coast a fine view Of the ships
in exact column.
At 3 O'Clock this afternoon the feet made
a complete circle In San Luis 0bispo Bay.
Il was the first evolution Of the kind made
during the voyage from the Atlantic coast
II made a beautiful sight for the hamlet
on shore,
SANTA. BARBARA, Cal, April O.-The
battleshlp feet sailed from here shortly
after 0 this morning, making a beautiful
spectace as the Connecticut led the way
to sea. Thousands Of early risers saw the
departure, but no demonstration was made
by Sana Barbara.
The flower festival ends tonight, the
celebration being turned into a purely
local dair Of rejoicing over having had the
heet lere with accruing benefits that could
lie actually counted up.
Tb feet passed Port Hartford late this
afternoon, steaming close to the shore.
Il v due Il arrive in Monterey tomorrow
morning. After one days visit the squad
rors will separate, eight ships going to
Sofa Cruz for three days stay, The re-
mining ships will join them at Santa Cruz
nay I, and they will presumably remain
nere for tw~enty-four hours. Admiral
vans will resume command on May S,
as the fleet is about to leave Santa Cruz for
San Francisco,
When the sixteen battleships weighed
anchor this morning it was a welcome
departure for the men aboard and a relief
for many avaTicious merchants in town,
who feared a repetition Of the wrecking Of
a local restaurant last evening where blue
jackets had been grossly overcharged. The
episode, the first example Of disorder that
has occurred since the feet left Hampton
Roads, was the elimination Of long string
Of grievances. II ocourredi in the restaurant
Of John Senich at i2l State street. He
had an American flag hung over his door
and two sailors went in to get dinner.
When they got through the waiter told
them they owed 50. They objected, but
the shore patrol, who came up. made them
pay as they had not asked the price before
they sat down. The sailors paid and went
away, but a few minutes later they came
back with a large crowd Of shore leave men
One Of the leaders pointed to the flag
over the door and said. we can't do it with
the flag up They made a shoulder ladder
and carefully took the flag down. Then
things began to happen. Fists went through
windows and in a few minutes the outside
Of the restaurant was a wreck. The men
did not 60 inside, but they spoiled the out
side Of the restaurant before the patrol
came up and dispersed them.
The men have been complaining Of over
charge aver since the feet touched, They
have TO pay, they say, 81 for a 50 cent meal,
81 for a IS cent bottle Of beer and 81 for a
shave. Livery stables raised the price Of
rigs from o. per day TO 81 for All afternoon;
riding horses cost 81 an hour where they
could formerly I've secured for $3.50 or s.
a day.
These conditions we're not entirely the
fault OF the committee in charge Of the
entertainment. The city was thronged
with a bunch Of takers and cheap shop
keepers who have followed the feet from
the time it reached San Diego, and they,
with q certain class Of local merchants,
combined to smiroh Santa Barbara's well
come with an unlovely faint.
One Of the large hotels of the city. how
ever, In which a reservation for a room
had been made three days in advance by
two men Of the feet, charged them Sl2 day.
A careful watch was kept last night to pre-
vent another possible outbreak Of the sailors,
but most Of them returned to the ships
early, owing TO the sailing orders, and there
was no fresh trouble.
SANTA CRUZ, Cal, April S0.-During the
stay Of the Atlantic squadron in Santa
Cruz waters a special effort will be made to
entertain the crews a. we'll as the officers.
The rank and file Of the navy will have a
special day at the big trees on Sunday.
Free transportation to and from the grove
will be furnished and an elaborate luncheon
under the shade of the monarchs OF the
forest will he served.
On Monday evening a grand ball at the
arrnory viii be given them, at which local
society will turn out TO see that every
courtesy is extended the guests Of honor.
The first big event upon the arrival OF the
feet will be the floral parade on Sunday
afternoon. In the parade will be sixty
decorated automobiles carrying the ohicers
and admiraIs Of the fleet.
Monterev's streets are already becoming
crowded with strange faces, and It is a
difficult matter 10 get lodging, even to-day.
All the hotels, boarding houses and roomi ng
houses are booked TO the utmost both IN
Monterey and Pacific Grove. In the latter
place, also, nea rly every empty cottage has
been engaged.
At the Hotel Del Monte there are nc more
rooms to be had, many being engaged Tor
three In a room. The manager has engaged
eight Pullman sleepers to stand on the
spur track within the grounds, throwing
them open TO those who need beds. MANY
rooms are booked here for wives and rela-
tives ~ n~ficars,
Estimates are being made az TO- the
number Of visitors during the stay OF the
aeet ranging from 1000 to 10000: Ihe
Del Monte can take care OF 100, Pacific
Grove OF 1000 and Monterey Of 10000.
Many from nearby points will come 10
early in rigs, going home each evening.