Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-23
LONG BEACH.
Office rs Locust ave.
Phone Home ESQ.
THOUSAND VETERANS
VISIT BATTLESHIPS
CARRY FLOWERS TO FLEET
OFFICERS
Return Trip Is Made Unpleasant by
Waves, but Mo Accidents of Con-
sequence Are Reported.>
Social Events
Special to The Herald.

| Special to The Herald.
| LONG BEACH, April 22.-Nearly a
thousand veterans of the Civil War
and members of patriotic societies other
than the G.. A. r. visited the flagship
Georgia today, carrying bouquets of
| lilics orange blossoms and roses for
| the men on board.
An ugly squall developed shortly
after the party had been conveyed to
the battleship and the return trip was
an unpleasant experience. There were
no accidents, however, but a number
of people living here whose friends and
relatives were aboard went to the end
of the pier to await their return, fear
| inc the trip would make them ill if
they escaped injury.
| Shortly before noon the word came
| from the vessels that no more visitors
would be received today. Thousands
of visitors came in after that time and
there was much wailing and gnashing
of teeth because their trip to the beach
had been in vain, so far at least as
concerned a visit to Uncle Sans heavy
hitters.
| A brisk rain fell this morning, driv-
ing the visitors under shelter.
A large crowd came down from Po-
mona. A small part of them visited
the ships.
| Capt. Masons launch, Camiguin,
| bumped the landing at the Georgia SO
severely this noon that her guard rail
was broken. One of the men on tAe
Georgia suffered a painful injury to
his foot by being caught between the
landing and launch.
The movable landings of the local
pier made the landings there compare
lively easy.
Veterans Visit Fleet
The crowd of old soldiers and MEM
bers of the other societies was much
greater this morning than had been
expected. About $50 tickets were sold
to local folk and several hundred others
to visitors from surrounding towns. A
25-cent rate was made them by all the
boatmen.
Among the visitors today were the
twenty-five choir boys of st. James
Episcopal, church, Pasadena. They
sang several numbers aboard ship.
This afternoon the band from the
Rhode Island gave concert on the
beach and tonight rendered a concert
program and also played for a dance at
Hotel Virginia.
Walter ]. Desmond member of the
board of public works who has had
much to do with the splendid handling
of launches and crowds at the outer
wharf, late this afternoon fell off the
float which is anchored at the west
pier landing and is used exclusively by
the officers and men of the fleet. Mr.
Desmond was engaged in conversation
with one of the officers, and as the
hor fiIfpd fhP crest of a
slight wave he stepped backward and
into the water. He grasped the float
and was pulled out of the br1ny by
willing hands. He was hurried home
in an auto for a change of raiment.
Banquet for officers
Tomorrow night at Hotel Virginia
the banquet for the officers of the Sec
ond division will be given. Beautiful
decorations will grace the commodious
dining room and an elaborate menu
will be served.
Friday night the officers ball at the
hotel will mark the climax of the
weeks entertainment. Admiral Emory,
who will be unable to be present at the
banquet. will attend the ball Cards
were issued by the committee today
stating that all civilians attending the
banquet and ball will wear full even
ing dress. as the officers will wear
their prescribed uniforms.
Entertain Fleet Officer
Mr.. and Mrs. John Colbert of 639
pine avenue entertained at dinner last
night in honor of Lieut.. Arwine of the
Kansas. In decorating the pretty home
a sillen flag was used which was sus-
nended above President McKinley's
head at the time of his first Inaugural
tion. 1t belongs to Mrs. j. I. Arwine,
who was i'm washington society circles
at that time.
A luncheon party was given yester-
dav on the Rhode Island, the guests
being Mayor and Mrs. Windham. MISS
Marioh Belle Lamont and Mr.. and Mrs.
w E.. Wiseman. Ensign Smead was
host. The commanding officer ana
others Joined them at lunch.