The San Francisco call., 1908-05-24
Merced ParlOr to Be Host and
Will Delight Visitors With
Grand Barbecue
Fireworks From Glacier Point
Will Add Spectacular
Touch to Nature
Expulsion to Grafters to Be the
Only Earring Note in All
the Convention
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

SPEClAL -DlSPAICH TO THE CALL
MERGED, May 23.-The advance
hosts of the native sons reached the
Yosemite valley this morning, estab-
lished themselves in their quarters
and without delay set out on sight,
seeing excursions. Heretofore the
parlor of the convention city has
played the host. In the absence of
branch of the organization in the val
ley the Merced parlor has assumed
the role and has provided program
that ranges from barbecue on the
banks of the river to fireworks at
Glacier point. With a few hundred
persons already in. the valley excur-
sion trains, carriages and coaches will
carry nearly 1000 more into the park
tomorrow. Merced and FL Portal are
the centers of activity today. Dele
gates from every part of the state
reached Merced today, some going to
Ell Portal for the night and others re-
naming here.
If indications count for anything the
valley Is to be subjected to an unparal-
leled camera bombardment. Those who
left without kodaks bought them on
the way. Merced was almost sold out
of cameras by night. Many of the ma
tive sons had never manipulated the
Instruments before, but Il school of in
struction was quickly organized.
WILL ExPEL GRAFTERs
In the hotel corridors tonight the talk
and gossip runs entirely to policies and
politics The cases of the San Fran
cisco grafters recently expelled from
the order will come up for. final action
when the report Of Grand President M.
T. Dooling is presented. Schmitz, Ruef
Boxton and Phillips have been expelled
from the order and a report to this
effect will be made by Judge Dooling.
1t is within the power of the grand par,
lor either to ratify or disapprove the
action taken.
Some surprise was occasioned this
afternoon by report that certain
friends of Ruef and Schmitz were work
ing to have Judgment suspended In
their cases. Most of the delegates are
members will be upheld by a prac-
tically unanimous vote. The men who
led the fight against Ruef and Schmitz
in the order are taking no chances and
have come to the convention with the
full documents in the case.
RUFF MEN AT WORK
State Senator Johnnie Nelson and
Assemblyman Nat Coshian of San Fran
cisco, both loyal Ruef men. are on the
ground and rumor has it that they
have been doing missionary work for
the fallen boss.
Little opposition to the claims OF
been shown. Del Monte will make q bid
for the honor. but as the grand parlor
was held In Monterey three years ago
large majority Of delegates will favor
Marysvi1le.
This session OF the order, which Will
Will be held In the valley with the con-
sent of the United States government
expressed by act of congress. Not only
has the government granted the use of
the valley, but it has ordered an extra
squad of soldiers to the park to aid the
native sons in policing the place. The
soldiers will guard the property OF the
order and keep special watch to pre-
vent fires.
URGE BETTER HIGHWAYS
As an evidence of the interest of the
delegates In the care OF the park the
members discussed today the suggestion
that congress be asked to make more
liberal appropriations for the improve
ment of the valley and the construction
OF new roads leading into It. The travel
tnan ever before in the history OF the
state.
Restrictions have been placed on
automobiles and the right OF way grant
ed to teams and wagons. 1t is pro-
dicted that travel will be greatly aug
mented hereafter as a result of the
Native Sons convention and then, it is
believed, there will be pressing need
for better highways.
The first business session will be
held Monday morning and one OF the
most gratifying features will be the
reports of the grand officers showing
that 1000 members have been added
during the year, bringing the total to
more than 10000.
There is no doubt that John. Nc
Dougald will be reelected grand treas
urer, but there is disposition on the