Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-23
FLEET BALL
BRILLIANT
GLAMOR OF COLOR AND ELEC-
TRIO LIGHT
MAGNIFICENT SCENE AT SHRINE
AUDITORIUM
Two Thousand on Floor When Admiral
Thomas and Mrs. Chaffee Lead
Grand March-Spiendid
Decorations

Under a canopy of red. white and
blue, whose parallel bars seemed to
palpitate with the spirit Of the night.
resplendent with the luster of thou
sands of incandescent lights that de-
pended in strands from giant Union
Jack, gliding noiselessly to the soft
strains of "The Stars and Stripes For
ever" and ornamented with all the
lavish genius of the gown maker, the
admirars ball became a reality last
night.
In the whole fleet program, which
has been replete with beautiful pic
lures, none In its varied character
equaled the scene. The great Shrine
auditorium, empty. was in It's decora-
tlons alone a thing that challenged
analysis in the multiplicity of its de-
tails. In the center of a vast canopy
that obscured the ceiling was Union
Jack of true blue whose white stars
were pronounced by the border of
darker blue lights. The rest of the
canopy was of red, white and blue
stripes from end to end of the great
ceiling and the exactness with which
they were maintained along precise
lines was remarkable. From the blue
a hundred strands of white lights
were suspended to the balcony, and
these lights were intermingled with
plumosus ferns and Union Jacks and
small flags in an effective manner. Be-
tween the strands the animated colors
seemed richer and brighter.
Around the balcony was bar of
luminous white, above and below
which were rows of red, white and
blue miniature lights that made a daz-
zling border for the base of the deco
rations. Beneath at regular intervals
were the draped flags in pairs.
Halo Evans Picture
The stage, where Kammermeyers
orchestra was seated, was draped with
two fifty-foot silk flags, which met in
the center of the proscenium arch and
were drawn against it's foot. They
bore illuminated shields of the ma
tional colors. Between the flags, it's
two white stars haloed with electrie
lights-forty-siX In number-was the
flag of Admiral Robley D. Evans, alb
sent but loved and not forgotten, and
beneath which his portrait was set in
relief over two small flags.
Except on the stage there were no
decorations below the balcony of con-
sequence. There were enough to re-
lieve the recesses under the balcony,
but the real decoration scheme was
overhead.
With the national colors for basis,
the genius of the decorator had been
allowed all liberty and the mass of
IBIlS anu COlOi ONSIDGdu was III COil-
stant examination from the first ar
rival until the ball ended. It's inten-
sity, comprehensiveness and brilliancy
were fascinating and the gaze, though |
often distracted, sought the overpow-
ering canopy again when free.
Begin Grand March
The animation of the whole scene |
was complete when, at 10 o'clock, Ad- |
miral Thomas and Mrs. Chaffee began |
the grand march. The orchestra, |
which had played several informal |
numbers while the guests were enter
ing the ballroom. turned to 1.-The Stars
and Stripes Forever" and after few
bars the admiral and Mrs. Chaffee
prepared for the signal number. AS
they walked slowly forward General
Chaffee and Mrs. /. N. Van Nuys fol-
lowed. Behind them were Admiral
Emory and Mrs. Wankowski and the
first eight was completed by General
Wankowski and Mrs Charlotte Marsh,
daughter of Admiral Evans, who with
her brother Lieutenant Franck Taylor
Evans, were the only members of the
Evans family on the floor.
When the march was begun nearly
800 couples were on the floor. The
promenade about the large hall could
not be completed with all in it, so it
broke little by little until the two-step
with just a pause to the sensuous
Luna waltz and the dance was on
The waltz was a part of the first
number of the card.
The dance card called for TWENTY
four numbers and as the grand march
was half an hour late in starting,
there was barely time to consume it
before the closing hour-3 o'clock
was reached.
Dancing Spectacle
The dancing itself was a memorable
spectacle. The epaulets of the navy {
officers shone against the white shoul-
ders of the beautifully gowned women
and the intermingling of the gay col
ors with the somber black of the civil {
ian attire formed beautiful contrast {
to the rich coloring overhead. 1t was j
the occasion when Los Angeles rose |
to her social test and she rose with {
a thousand beautiful women who We'd /
with each other In the glory of their I
personal charm, their intelligence and {
the splendor of their costumes. 1t was
planned to develop the social character {
of the city which is entertaining the
flower of the greatest fleet in the (
world, and 1t met it's conception of
duty with an ease and grace and mag {
nicence that awoke the admiration of !
the 300 officers present. !
The attendance at midnight was es- :
timated by General Kankowski who
has had charge of the most brilliant !
social affair in the history of the city,
at 2000, and his estimate was verified
by the opinions of others. General
was the recipient of con-
gratulations from the host for the per-
feet finish on every feature of the pro- :
gram. t
Some Officers Belated !
The ball was programmed for $50 /
o'clock. but the inability of many of
The officers to get ashore until late, c
because of the turbulent seas, caused
4 delay for them and the march was /
Continued on Page Six)