The San Francisco call., 1908-05-08
OFFICIAL VISIT IS
BRILLIANT AFFAIR
Fleet Officers Make Formal Call
on Governor Gillett and
Mayor Taylor

AT noon yesterday in the gold ball
room and the red dining room of the
Fairmont hotel the flag and command
ing officers of the combined Atlantic
and Pacific fleets paid their formal
visits to Governor Gillett, Mayor Tay-
lor and other state and city officials, as
return for the official calls made after
the armada came to anchor Wednesday
afternoon In San Francisco bay
1t was a scene which for brilliance
of display outrivaled any function that
has occurred within the walls of the
great white hostelry on Mob hill since
1t was opened after the fire. There was
but the least touch of local significance
in the reception. the men who partici-
pated being for the most part men Of
the highest distinction, whose names
are known throughout the country.
Not only was Secretary of the Navy
Metcalf present with Governor Gillett
and Mayor Taylor in the receiving line,
but six rear admirals of the United
States navy were on hand to pay their
respects to the official representatives
of California and San Francisco and
the diplomatic corps of San Francisco
was out en- masse.
With the disbanding of the parade in
Van Ness avenue the chief officers of the
Atlantic fleet and the Pacific squadron
L
o'clock the foyer of the hotel was filed
with naval officers in full dress, militia
officers and members of the governors s
staff in uniform, we'll known citizens
of San Francisco and host of well
dressed women. There was an informal
reception in the lobby and parlors of
the hotel, after which the receiving
line was formed in the gold ballroom
and the guests of the city were ush-
cred in.
Rear Admiral Evans did not make
the formal call in person. Fatigued
after the long morning parade, he was
driven directly to the st. Francis hotel,
from the flagstaff of which flies the
blue flag with the two white stars, de-
noting the presence of the commander
in chief, and remained in his own room
resting. Rear Admiral Charles Thomas.
second in command, represented him at
the function and carried his messages
of greeting to the secretary of the
navy, the governor and the mayor. In
the reception line Admiral Thomas sta
toned himself at the side of Mayor
Taylor and introduced the officers of
the fleet as they came forward to be
presented.
The early part of the reception was
of the most informal nature. The Off
GERS were ushered into the red dining
room. where q buffet luncheon was
served at tables stretching around
three sides of the room, and after the
long march of the morning the refresh
ments did not come amiss. Introduce
tions were in order, and there were few
officers of the fleet who had not already
met Governor Gillett and Mayor Taylor
when the reception line was formed in
the ballroom. Secretary Metca1f stood
at Mayor Taylor's right and was joined
later by the governor. Admiral Thomas
was the first to pay his respects, and
was followed by Rear Admirals Sperry
and Emory of the Atlantic fleet. and
Rear Admirals Dayton Sebree and
Swinburne of the Pacific fleet The flag
officers. captains and lieutenant COM
manders of the various vessels of the
armada followed in order of rank and
were Joined by the members of the gov
ernor's staff. the ranking officials of the
state militia, several city officials and
members of the reception committee of
San Francisco, and by the representa-
tives Of foreign powers in their full
regalia.
An informal reception was held in
Governor Gillett's suite of rooms while
the formal call of the feet officers was
in progress, and later the party in the
ballroom was joined by many women of
the fleet who were also introduced to
the state and city officials Congress-
man Richmond Pearson Hobson OF Ala
bama was among the guests at the re-
ception and was enthusiastic in greet
ing old acquaintances Of the navy and
In discussing right and left among the
officers his fight for a greater navy.
The formal reception broke up inside OF