Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-20
WILL STAY THERE A WEEK
Plans Ali Laid to Make Things In
teresting.
$500 LIBERTY MEN ASHORE
Vessels Will Not Visit Any Euro
pean Port Except to Take
on Coal.


city today began its weeks entertainment
Of the Atlantic feet. For the next six
days officers and men will participate in a
program that will occupy nearly every
hour Of the time a four days program
for the sailors began at Chutes Park this
morning at 1920 am. Three thousand
of them were given liberty from the ships
and were escorted free Of cost from the
beach cities to Los Angeles.
At the park every variety Of entertain
ment was provided. More than fifty
three-round boxing bouts are scheduled
!. to take place there during the week by
the Los Angeles Athletic Club. James ].
Jeffries Is master of all athletic exer-
c:ses, and referee Of the boxing bouts
The championship lightweight contest be-
tween two sailors from the fleet was on
the program for today. Fencing con-
tests, balloon ascensions high dives and
scores Of similar attractions were put on
for the amusement Of the sailors.
At noon a typical Spanish barbecue was
served The menu included barbecued
beef, chile con carne and frijoles. Four
hundred women from the various patriotic
societies of the city served the meal to the
sailors from long tables erected through
out the park. The general public was also
permitted to the park. and thousands Of
people thronged the place. Chutes Park.
with all it's places Of entertainment. was
leased by the committee for the four days.
to tile sailors Vaudeville performances
were given and dancing continued all the
afternoon.
The combined bands of the ships Of the
four divisions were present IN uniform:
which with half dozen local musical
enlfvened the program
throughout the day. .
a line OF march and the entire crowd OF
sailors and citizens, Numbering many
thousands, proceeded to Agricultural
Park. ten blocks distant, where Wild
afternoon. This park. the property OF the
state. had also been secured for the en-
tire week All the grandstands here were
filled to overlooking and thousands crowd
ed all the available space.
Was a Record Day.
LOS ANGELES. Cal. April 20.-It was
3 am. before the last of the crowd which
went to San Pedro Saturday to see the
fleet arrive came back to Los Angeles. In
the cool decentralization oc the crush
it is regarded as remarkable there was no
serious accident in handling the traf1ic.
There WAS no such problem today. The
scattering Of the battleships to four ports
instead of one has simplified matters
There are car lines to Redondo. Long
Beach and Santa Monica, or Venice, as
fn
now has four ships the crowds divided
and were easily taken care OF. Naturally,
the greatest interest centered in San Pe-
dro. because the flagship, with Rear Ad-
miral Thomas aboard. is stationed there.
Cars running to all the ports were we'll
patronized, but 80 per cent OF the popu-
lation in Los Angeles stayed at home,
partly to relax from the hard experiences
Of yesterday and partly to attend serv-
ices at the churches, at all OF which there
was large attendance. Sermons OF the
day were more or less based on the COM
ing of the feet and what it signifies to the
civilized nations of the world.
Saloons in Los Angeles and the sea-
coast towns are closed tight Sundays.
There was no drinking. no bOisterous
conduct and comparatively little life In
the streets in Los Angeles. Few Of the
enlisted men We're ashore here. Altogeth-
er, 1t was fitting observance OF the
| church festal day.
xlan OF entertainment.
| At San Pedro. Redondo. Long Beach
and the Santa Monica bay towns the blue
Jackets mingled freely with civilians.
Many officers attended church in these
| towns and others observed the day on
board ship.
Tomorrow is to be great day, some
! attraction beng arranged for every min
ute from O'Clock am. until midnight
l,nr MI he -o6 hx- Av1
listed men, who will he given free car
| rage rides to Los Angeles. At Chutea
Park James J. Jeffres WILL as general
| manager. offer the first Of the series OF
boxing events there being 100 contest.
ants for the championship of. southern
| California. At noon comes the Spanish
! barbecue to all enlisted meh. with 45t
! women serving them, and ''chOw" Will be
/ followed by balloon ascensions. vaude-
| Vile performance and dancing.
! Chiefs and warrant officers will take ar
| automobile ride. and In the evening they
| will enjoy a banquet and theater party
Escorted by Mayor Harper and other citi.
| zens. Rear Admirals Thomas. Sperry and
Emory. commanding officers. and Others