The San Francisco call., 1908-05-23
Prominent San Franciscans De-
part on Trip TO the Inter-
Tor of the State
Pioneer Excursion of the Cham
Der of Commerce Promises
TO Be Fruitful
Governor GilIett Joins the Party
at Stockton, Where First
Stop Is Made

The spirit of San Francisco the new
was made forcibly manifest yesterday
afternoon when $50 of its most inau-
ential citizens started on the pioneer
excursion of the chamber of commerce
into the interior Of the state. The de-
parture indicated the passing away OF
the serene indifference with which San
Francisco has regarded the rest of the
world for half century and the eradi-
cation of the principle which demand
ed nothing more than a passive col
lection of toll at the Golden gate. II
meant the overthrow OF custom hoary
with time and the enthronement Of
commerce, lusty in its greater awaken
ing. II meant san Francisco, the
greater. the better, the new, born in
the turmoil of myriad hammer
strokes. pulsing with the vigor of re-
newed youth.
Never before has the city sent forth
such an excursion and there was not a
member OF the party who did not recog-
nize 10 its fullest extent the signifi-
cance of the trip.
The departure was transformations.
There were no brass bands, ribbons or
cheers. The members met greeted each
other and b6arded the boat for Point
Richmond. where the special train was
awaiting them. But the full import of
the gathering was brought home with
startling emphasis when somebody re-
marked:
4 wonder how many millions that
crowd represents.
PROMINENT MEN IN PARTY
Then il WAS understood that it was
something more than a .'businessman's
excursion. Those who gathered on the
boat in the quiet, simple way were not
underlings. the small fry. but the very
backbone OF the community, the heads
of immense commercial bodies. the very
leaders in the commercial and profes-
sional world. Among the members of
the excursion were is bank presidents
lawyers OF note, the editors of the lead
ing papers and presidents OF almost
every big commercial Institution in San
Francisco.
Mayor Taylor looking a trifie tired
was in the party and Gavin McNab
looking as ft and as sound as a bell
was there with smiles. The whole was
rather conglomerate. but very much
San Franciscan.
Charles g Moore, president of the
chamber Of commerce and leader Of the
excursion, sped around with his hand
shake. attempting 10 talk to six per-
sons at one and the same time, and
looked the personihcation Of happiness
and contentment.
This is something more than an ex-
cursion into the country" said he. ''it
is a meeting Of old friends. The busi-
nessman has little time to spend or
social affairs and it is only by such
gatherings as this that ne is brought
ia touch with his comrades in the field
PURPOSE OF TRIP
what is the purpose OF the trip?'
he was asked.
The main purpose IS to get in toucf
with the people OF the country. Up tC
the present the commercial men of th'
city have been content to accept th'
prosperity of San Francisco without
thought of the country; but we now
realize that the aims OF the city an6
country are the same The trip is Il
q, large extent educational We wan
to learn Of the aims Of the people o.
the country, TO gain some idea of th'
question of Improvement of rivers anC
such other matters which affect bOti
the city and the country.
I am exceedingly pleased at the sue
cessful start This. / hope, is but th'
first trip OF its kind and that Others
viii follow
Governor James n. Gillett will join
the party at Stockton, the first stop
ping place. where the members of th'
excursion viii be given a reception anC
dinner by the Stockton chamber o.
commerce. Thence the party will pro.
ceed by river 10 Sacramento and from
p there 10 Marysville. The next stoI
will be made at Oroville and the las
at Chico. The members of the party
expect TO be back in San francisco