Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-04-22

in PARADE
AUTOMOBILE TRIP OVATION
FOR THOMAS
SHOWERS OF FLOWERS ALL
ALONG THE LINE
New Plan of Receiving Distinguished
Guests Brings Out 100000
PeopIe-scenes Along
the Route


rain every minute, and some minutes
| did better than threaten, the reception
| automobile parade to Admiral Thomas
and the officers of the Atlantic fleet
begun and ended yesterday. 1t was a
| real moving picture show for the tens
of thousands-100 900 was the estimated
total-who lined the long route, for the
| twenty-five big cars appeared just as
they do in the cinematograph scenes,
and disappeared with an unfamiliar
suddenness. The speed was regarded
by the public as little excessive for
the purposes of close observation, but
the public is new to such experiences
and was not quite prepared. Besides
the skimming by of twenty-five auto
mobiles was SO brief that many really
doubted If they had seen all.
The pathetic absence of Admiral
Evans was constantly in mind, and
whenever car No 16, containing his
son, Lieut.. Franck Taylor Evans, was
recognized there were cheers. He en-
ioyed the ride and was particularly in
terested in the beautiful residence dis
tricts visited.
Theomensus skies had as much to do
with the racy speed as the evident mis-
understanding of Chief of Police Kern's
chauffeur as to rating. At the outset
the pace was something of a runaway
for the practical observer, and Willis
H. Booth, who had charge of all the
arrangements, directed reduction of
speed after the leading car had turned
the Plaza.
The pace in the downtown district,
however, was nothing to that attained
on the residence streets. Those who
waited patiently to shower the admirals
with roses and carnations and poppies
and lilies found they had to be as eX-
Ipert as an Indian spearing fsh In
rapids if they wished to hit the spot.
Some chased the parade in autos with
more success.
Consequently many beautiful bou-
ouet missed the car aimed at entirely
because the fair plump arm that tossed
it was not used 10 putting them DOWN
to third base" Because of this the
route of the parade could be traced by
a narrow line of badly smashed bou-
quets and single flowers, not a block OF
the whole route being an exception.
Knee Deep In Flowers
But this did not matter to Admiral
Thomas. He sat knee deep in flowers.
his hands were full of them, huge
bouquets and designs crowded his seat
and rose petals that sifted under his
collar must have tickled him, for his
face was wreathed In smiles through
out.
Maybe his face would have been a
happy one if not a flower had been
tossed, because Thomas is the bully
good fellow of the navy. He IS be-
lever in Laugh and the world laughs
with you," and from the minute he ap-
peared at the starboard quarter deck,
after the Connecticut anchored at san
Diego. until the present time he mas
worn a genuine, irremovable smile, OF
an instantaneously contagious nature.
Besides the arrangements for the auto
trip were so splendidly handled by
Willis III. Booth that everybody was
happy Mr.. Booth organized the
narade. saw that it started promptly.
=, modestly took one of the last cars Win
the press bunch" and devoted MS at
tention to seeing that things were done
as promised At no time has Los An
oeIes seen such a collection Of the finest
cars made as In this admirals parade.
For emergencies Mr.. Booth had two
extra cars in line and repair car
with crew of experts.
Admiral Thomas Winks
The crowd at the Alexandria was al
most as great as had been expected
The police kept the block comparatively
free and the cars were loaded promptly
First Mayor Harper entered the lead
inG car. In minute Admlrai Liioa,as; 1
, beaming like new grandfather, leaped
into 1t and seized the mayors mana as
IL rose to greet him.
"Click! Clicki Click!"
That was a broadside of cameras.
The admiral saw the CLASSY portholes
,
snap shooters. Maybe the jolly sailor
Then came Governor Gillett and Capt.
Grant and Adjt. Gen. Laucks.
Another broadside.
"All ready" said Mr.. Booth anu
!, they were off.
1By arrangement the cars were to
keep moving and the later ones were
to "catch up on Main street. They all
did, but some of them had to hurry.
When the admirars car reached ST.
Vibiana's church swarm of bedeckeu,
shouting children surged in front ana
around, and presented him with
beautiful floral heart. The ceremony
was brief, but 1t affected the admiral,
who returned his thanks and bowed TO
the great crowd assembled. On spec
the car, circling the plaza at rather
high speed, and as 1t countera1aeS aoa ~ ,,,,
a reduction in the speed was ordered py
Mr.. Booth. In the enthusiasm OF the
day, however, the chauffeurs soon 1or-
got the very proper order.
When the admirals car reached the
high school, which was a special oetour
from the original line, the pupils We're
assembled In the street, like multi-
colored bunch of butterflies, and armed
with flowers He was presented with a
large basket of pink roses. In accept
ing them he rose and said:
Talks to High School
''I cannot begin to express in words
the deep appreciation which ! and my
brother officers have of the magnificent
Welcome the people of Los Angeles have
rendered u.s. You, young people gath 5
cred here, will take our places some
day. and it will be through your loyalty
to the flag CHEERS interrupted the adj
miraI for minute) and the patriotism
you are now showing that this VIII be
brought about"
/ THE autos countermarched back to
Continued on Page Threel