The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-07-17
RECEPTION COMMITTEE
WELCOMES THE FLEET

At 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon the
reception committee, headed by Chair
man George r. Carter, was received on
the deck of the flagship and escorted
below to Admiral Sperrys quarters,
where they were received by Com
mander Grant, Chief of Staff, and
Lieutenant Wurtsbaugh, Flag Lieuten-
ant. Presently, Admiral Sperry enter
ed the room, escorted by the Chief of
Staff, and greeted Chairman Carter,
who in turn introduced the members
of the committee. Admiral Sperry was
in white uniform, but with no side
arms. He was very courteous. After
introductions were over Mr. Carter
said that he, on behalf of the commit
tee, metaphorically handed the Admiral
the keys of the city of Honolulu, for
himself, officers and men. He said the
people of Honolulu had long antici-
pated this great day, and looked for
ward with greater anticipation in en-
joying the company of the feet.
Throughout the whole history of these
Islands in their relations to the United
States there had been shown an earn
est desire to serve the mainland, and
the navy had been an important link.
Admiral Sperry, replying, thanked
the reception committee, and said it
was a great pleasure to be here. He
said he made his first acquaintance
with Honolulu in 1870, and none were
present in his cabin whom he had
known then save Ex-Governor Cleg-
horn, whom the Admiral greeted cor
daily when introduced. AS to the
personnel of the fleet, he said that the
officers were probably the same old
officers, but there were not the same
old class of men he had been brought
up with. Today the navy, and particu-
lar1y the fleet now in Honolulu, was
composed of young men, Of an aver
age of twenty-one years.
What you people of Honolulu do
for them will be appreciated to the
limit" he said
He said in answer to Mr.. Carriers
statement that the men of the fleet, in
uniform, would be carried free on the
lines of the Honolulu Rapid Transit
Company, that it was very generous.
He said it was an act, not SO much
concerning the five cents that the
sailor saved, as compliment to the
uniform which he wore.
The Admiral also spoke of the fleet
patrol which he would maintain ashore
to keep the men in order. No trouble
had occurred elsewhere, and the patrol
was an effective service. The Admiral
backed up his men concerning their
manliness, and referred to one feature
of their life ashore\ which was new.
He said that often when sailor went
into a saloon, it was not so much TO
sit there and drink, as it was to pay
for a. place to sit down in comfort. Mr..
Carter stated that rest houses had
been provided, and that an arbitra-
ton committee had been organized,
which was to deal with complaints OF
overcharge, etc. He hoped that if any
of the men had any complaints about
merchants, or any one in business in
Honolulu, overcharging the men, that
such complaints would reach the ar
filtration committee, which would in
yestigate the matter at once. AlonZo
Gartley, formerly an officer of the
navy, is chairman of this committee.
With cordial expressions of good
will the committee took its departure.
In the Admirars cabin is the fine sil-
yer set presented by the people of Con-
necticut. The set reposes in a hand
some case of glass and polished wood.