New-York tribune., 1908-04-21
LOS ANGELES " ELC0ME
Lavish Hospitality to Officers and
Men of the Fleet.

making by the sailors of the American batteship
feet boxing matches, barbecues. baseball games
! and Wild West shows being included in the en-
tertainment provided by the city vas brought to
a close tonight with two dinners, one to the
petty officers at the largest cafe in the city and
the other 10 the adnirals and commanding officers
OF the feet and members of their stats
The latter dinner, the most elaborate and costly
ever held in this city. provided at the Hotel
Alexandria. the official feet headquarters. and
made the occasion Of formal welcome to Los
Angeles both Mayor A c Harper and Governor
J y. Gillett being included among the speakers
Admiral Thomas responded to the addresses OF
welcome. while among those speaking to set
toasts were the Rev Robert J. Burdett Bishop
Thomas :. Conaty, Henry ". O'Melveny and
Captain A. A. Frels. I. 5. A
= vacant chair marked the place originally as
signed TO Admiral Evans. The latter. though i'll
evening.
One-fourth OF the men included in the entire
enlisted force Of the feet came ashore TO take
part in the festivities planned with characteristic
Western hospitality in their honor There were
$500 sailors and marines in the liberty parties
, landed from the four divisions scattered al the
various ports a score of miles away. Once the
beach they found free trains and trolley cars
awaiting them and. arriving IN the city. they
found all manner of comforts and conveniences
freely placed at their disposal Most OF the sail
ors made at once for the pleasure grounds at
Chutes Park where amateur boxing carnival.
managed and refereed by James J. Jefries, was
the first attraction OF the day
Boxing is favorte sport among the sailors.
ana their enjoyment Of the Jeffrfes carnival TO-
day unrestrained The enthusiasm reached
its height when the lightweight championship Of
the fleet decided under navy regulations,
Lutnski, Of the New Jersey. winning from Myers.
Of the Ohio. in eight rounds.
The barbecue and Wild West show which fol
lowed the boxing tournament added the good
times ashore and tonight the blue Jackets Of the
sailors and the tidy uniforms OF the marines had
full possession Of the gayly illuminated streets
To-day's programme for the entertainment Of the
enlisted men is to De repeated Tomorrow Wednes
day and Thursday. that all the sailors may have
equal share in the city's reception plans
To-ntght's dinner TO Adnirals Thomas Sperry
and Emery was replete with surprises, picturesque
features and beautiful effects in floral decorations
and electric lighting It wa. attended by many Of
the most prominent officials and men of affairs IN
the city and state and was as elaborate feast
the ingenuity OF the committee in charge and
the culinary experts could make II. The menu vas
secret, each course furnishing surprise
The large. gilded dining saloon OF the Hotel
Alexandria had oeen closed 10 guests for four days
while the decorations for the dinner were IN prog
and tonight il in reality a bower Of
roses, vines and smiling blossoms. The air was
deeply filed with the perfume OF the mingled
flowers. Above the tables seating 80 guests, q
trelliswork frame had been constructed. and in
this way side walls and ceilings were covered with
roses, poppies. Eeraniuns, lilies and rhe myrlaOs
Of flowers that abound In California
Fountains playing in vari-coored electric rays
ard OF canaries singing amid the --ines
among the features. The snowy linen Of the
tables was banked with American Beauties. Three
thousand incandescent bulbs Of red. white and
blue were scattered among the flowers, and the
effect Of the combined decorative features was Of
beauty. Lieutenant General A. r. Chafee
presided. and Joseph Scott, president % the Los
Angeles Board of Education. acted toastn1aster.
Thousands Of residents OF Los Angeles end Wis
itors focked aboard the tattleships again to-day,
the transportation lines 10 San Pedro Long Beach.
Redondo Venice, Ocean Park and Santa Monica.
having all they could do 70 handle the crowds
The vessels were open from early morning until
late afternoon and az times their decks were
crowded.
Members Of the local feet reception COMMITTEES
and the people Of Los Angeles general have
commented most favorabIy upon the diplomacy
and tact displayed by the japanese colony IN par
ticipating the welcome to the feet Throughout
the Japanese quarter Of the city the decorations Of
stores and buildings have been relatively as costly
and extensive in any part OF the city. American
and Japanese flags we're eutwined together and
portraits Of Admiral Evans are hung IN places OF
honor