The Washington herald., 1908-05-07
CITY GOES WILD
OVER BIG FLEET
Continued from Page One.

ton Of war ships that American waters
ever saw Almost tWo-thirds Of the entire
navy Of the country was 10 be seen.
Town Is Transported,
San Francisco has reason 10 hug itself
for Joy. She was looking at the most
powerful representation Of the nations
brute strength ever collected together II
made the crowds feel content. One could
see It in the aspect Of the people, and
hear it in their conversation the minute
one put foot on the land. The town had
now personal knowledge Of what national
protection and aggression might mean.
The feet went on past the city, and
then IN the upper bay. made a grand
circle. When the Connecticut swung back
and reached the tail of the incoming pro-
CessiOn, her bow was near the anchOring
buoy of the Mission district. The first
squadron was now alone in the line, the
second having swung 10 one side, 10 come
up on the starboard Of the first.
The Connecticut stopped her engines,
hauled down the anchoring signal. eight
mud hooks plunged into the bay. and in
stantly the entire eight ships sent up
long rolls OF flags and pennants.
The ships were dressed as il by magic.
The other squadrons anchored in turn.
and each dressed ship as the anchor went
down Then the fleet had ended officially
its voyage from the Atlantic TO the Pa
cifc
Ceremony Is simple.
The rest Of the days ceremony was
simple. Mayor Taylor and the reception
committee went out to give the official
welcome to Admiral Evans. The admiral
received them In his emergency cabin.
Admiral Thomas went TO call on Secre-
tary Metcalf, and later the Secretary
called on Admiral Evans and the other
admirals
The proudest man Of the day was Ad-
niral Evans. It was practically his last
day of authority on board Of an American
war ship. He directed every movement
OF the fleet personally. For nearly an
hour he sat in a chair on the after bridge
OF the Connecticut. The wind, however,
becoming rather cold, he got on his
crutches and went inside the cabin. He
could see every movement. and he was
happy as child.
The news Of his grandson's death has
been kept from him. He was much
stronger than at any time since the feet
4 =
clear as ever they were. He was fairly
radiant to think he had got back to his
flagship As soon as the anchor was
cast the admiTals and captains began
fiocking TO the Connecticut, and every
man got a warm greeting from the COM
mander-in-chief.
Evans Greatly Pleased.
Just say I am glad TO be here. every
thing is all right. and I am happy. and
I guess you'll hit straight" was his greet
ing TO your correspondent Later this
afternoon, Admiral Evans got ashore to
his headquarters in the St. Francis Hotel,
He will remain there until the day he
hauls down his flag, when he will go
aboard the flag ship for the ceremony.
With his departure for the hotel this
afternoon, Admiral Evans practically
closed his naval career.
San Francisco is having its troubles over
the fleet Two sets OF welcomers. one
headed by the so-caIled good" million
aires and the other by the so-ealled
bad" millionaires, are striving TO outdo
each other.
The good miIllonaires are led by Claus
Spreckels and ex-Mayor Phelan, and they
have the mayor and the city government
behind them. They are the anti-graft re-
formers of whom the people are now be-
ginning TO be suspicious. The bad mil
Honaires include Calhoun, the traction
man. and every other indicted rich man
out here. Gov. Glllett and the Southern
Pacific are lined up with them.
Two Sets of Dinners,
Both sides will give a dinner 10 Secre-
tary Metcalf and Admiral Evans The
bad millionaires give theirs first 1t is to
be a s2O-a-plate dinner. The following
night the good millionaires give theirs.
That is only $40 a plate.
Then there has been a mix-up over
using the same decorations IN the hotel
where their rivals have entertainments.
II is merry war and gives rival political
camps a chance to scrap and feel better.
Bali at the Fairmont.
Tonight there is the city oficlals bali
at the Hotel Fairmont. It is a gay scene.
with a throng Of army and navy officers
in full dress and the women in the finest
toggery.
Tomorrow the real fun begins. There
is to be a big parade in the forenoon, and
then it's to a big hurrah for the blue
jackets. The citizens have fitted out
huge three-story building. two blocks
from the waterfront, for the use OF the
bluejackets, with 800 beds, several billiard
tables. card rooms, and an information
bureau.
There is a playground attached, and
everything Is free. From now on for ten
days II is going TO be hurrah, boys, every
body cheer, laugh. throw fits. do any old