The San Francisco call., 1908-05-08
WATERFRONT HUNS
. WITH BUSY CROWD
Eager Thousands Throng Piers
and Fill Boats Bound for
Battleships
Jackies Center of Attention and
Are Delighted With Their
Reception

The tower of Babel was one vast
pillar of silence and a boiler factory
a haven for calm and peaceful repose
as compared with the San Francisco
ferry building yesterday afternoon,
when the. visiting tens of thousands
rushed to the bay front to join the
numberless excursions to the fleet.
The strident cries of cane sellers,
souvenir sellers, newsboys and VEN
ders of various kinds, mingled with
the insistent and persistent barking"
of scores of agents for excursion boats
and launches, and the hurry, rush and
scramble of the ebullient, babbling
multitudes. which swooped down upon
the bay front made such a sight and
sound as San Francisco has never be-
fore seen or heard.
Up and down East street the eager
thousands surged, a veritable mob.
searching for the different piers and
steamers. many people being unde-
cided whether to venture out or not.
in spite of the brass riveted assurance
of ticket sellers to land you on what
ever battleship you want, or give you
your money back"
But what joyous crowd 1t was!
Mob? Yes; but the best looking, best
natured, best pleased mob that ever
where else on earth.
There, indeed, was human life in all
its joyousness, all its intensity, all it's
patriotism. 1t was the great west out
for a holiday.
Many little incidents typical Of the
day were observed on every hand.
SEEKS SAILOR BROTHER
sailor from the battleship Rhode
Island had just landed from a launch
at pier south of the ferry and was
making his way through the crowd
when young woman seized him by
the arm 1t was Mrs. Charles Z. Riley
OF Oroville. Butte county, Cal, who
was with party of friends.
Can you tell me- she eagerly in
quired, how can get aboard the Col
orado? My brother is on there, and
haven't seen him for seven years..
The bluejacket advised her to take
launch.
MY brothers name is Patrick
Doyle. said Mrs.@KiIey .I must go
home in day Or two, and naturally
| am very anxious to see him before
leaving"
While sprinkling cart was re-
plenishing It's supply at the foot Of
Yission street the hose burst. flooding
the sidewalk for 20 feet.
Huh" exclaimed a visitor az he
padded his way Through the puddle.
wagoni"
An hour later. while passing the
ferry an axle of the same cart broke
and the right front wheel went rolling
into the street.
Therev' exclaimed a spectator. who
had evidently witnessed the first acct
dent, / told You this was no day for
the water route"
And the winds. And the dust. Such
winds! Such dust!
Gee whiz" exclaimed a visitor. as
the choppy breezes blew Justify. dust
lily and gustily around one of the piers
II all this dust was California gold
dust, u would keep the San Francisco
mint busy for the next nine yearsr' 8
GIRLS ARE AGREEABLE
The cap of one of the boys from the
Alabama black eyed, sharp looking
young fellow-blew off in front of the
ferry and landed in a flock of automo-
biles dashing miss of IA years
picked 1t up and handed 1t to him, and
such an exchange of smiles as took
place was enough for Clyde Fitch to
write brand new play about.
A st. Louisan who saw the whole of
the last big worlds fair. amazed at
the multitudes. murmured to himself:
Home amt nothin'. like this
Say, If fellow could only dress up
In sailors clothes wouldn't he have a
lot of fun this week?" shouted a wise
youngster to his companion as they
made rush for excursion tickets.
They amt a-goin' t. use them little
boats, air they?' asked a woman whose
language and garb proclaimed her
from the interior. addressing nobody in
particular.
Sure" replied native son. Every
little bit helps"
Il tell you one thing" said an earn
est looking citizen. we've got to lick