Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-15
BEACHTOWNSARE
READY FOR FLEET
CITIES DON THEIR GALA
ATTIRE
PROGRAMS OF ENTERTAINME EMIT
COMPLETED
Flowers, Music and Gay Times Await
Boys of Admiral Evans Warships.
Varied Amusements
Offered

While Los Angeles is exerting every
effort to give the officers and men of
the Atlantic squadron one of the most
enthusiastic and impressive receptions
ever extended to an American armada,
the beach towns at which the four di-
visions of the Atlantic fleet will be
scattered are not to be outdone in hos
pitality and patriotism, hence the
beach towns are now donning their
gala attire in preparation for what
promises to all but eclipse the big well
come at Los Angeles.
Long Beach, Redondo Santa Monica
and San Pedro have put their shoul-
ders to the wheel in a surprising man
ner, and when the big vessels steam
into the harbors of Los Angeles county
they will be greeted by a sight and a
sound of which only Southern Califor-
mia is capable. This is not vanity, for
where but in Southern California
would such display of flowers be pos
sible? And where else in "bitter, bit
ing April could the American battle
ships be greeted by such balmy
weather and golden sunshine as that
which necessarily must prevail when
the sixteen ironbound sea battlers
steam to our shores?
Santa Monica completed it's program
late yesterday. and it gives evidence of
the labor to which that city has re-
sorted in it's efforts to emulate the
other beaches. The programs at all
the beaches are just as varied, but
have not been completed in detail
Day Holiday
Friday, April 25, being especially
designated as Santa Monica bay day.
the mayors of Santa Monica and Ocean
Park having declared it civic holiday,
the entertainment for that day will in
clude something of every conceivable
nature for both sailors and visitors. In
the evening there will be a dazzling
illumination of ships and shore, with a
gorgeous display of fireworks.
The grand finale of the fleet in Los
Angeles waters will be on the morning
of Saturday, April 25, in Santa Monica
bay, when the sixteen battleships and
flotilla of torpedo boats will assemble
at that point for maneuver, and will,
upon their departure, fire a salute of
100 guns.
Every arrangement for the prompt
and comfortable handling of the people
wishing to visit the battleships has
been made at Venice, alterations in the
pier having been made allowing for
continuous circulation Of the launches
around the breakwater to the ships.
Large new landings have been provided
IOf use OF lne general puDllc anu Spe :
cial landings for officers and sailors.
A large number of launches will be In
service, and owing to the very short
distance will be able to make the round
trip in twenty minutes, with a round
trip boat fare of but 25 cents. 1t is
estimated that about 5000 people per
hour can be handled between the
breakWater and the battleships.
Ready for Crowds
The railroad company has completed
broad gauging it's tracks between Los
Angeles, Santa Monica, Ocean Park,
Venice and Redondo, which will allow
a large number of new broad gauge
cars to be placed in service, and these
will be run in two and three-car trains
between these points continuously
every day. all day and evening. This
will insure rapid and comfortable
transportation to and from the beaches
for everybody.
Sunday. April 19-On arrival. the as
sembled fleet will parade in Santa
Monica bay. The third division, COM
manded by Admiral Thomas, will
anchor and be greeted by an admirals
salute from Venice pier by the Venice
Volunteer Lifesaving corps.
The mayors of the cities of Santa
Monica bay will visit the admirals
flagship and tender an official welcome.
In company with the reception COM
mittee, 200 ladies will visit the ships
for the purpose of welcoming the Of
ficers and men of the fleet, to each of
which will be presented a bouton-
Mere.
Band concert afternoon and evening
at Windward and Pier avenues.
The Horseshoe pier auditorium and
Venice dancing pavilion and Venice
skating rink will be open free to all in
Uniform.
Monday, April 20-Band concerts
both afternoon and evening. Dancing
all day, free to those wearing uni
forms.
A reception will be given to the
sailors and marines by the ladies of the