The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-25
LAWMAKERS ASK
MEYER TO SEND
PACIFIC FLEET
Visiting Congressman Sign Urg-
ent Petition to Have Warships
Here for POrtOIa
Party Impressed With Wonders
of Golden State; Off for
Hawaiian Junket

Moved by, admiration of the work
done and encouraged by San Francisco
in the restoration of its burned dis
trict for which the city is to celebrate
the Portola festival, the delegation of
visiting congressman just before their
departure on the Siberia for Honolulu
yesterday morning signed a telegram to
Secretary of the Navy George Won L.
Meyer urging him to order the Pacific
feet TO remain in San Francisco har-
Dor until after the october celebration.
The appeal of the % congressman from
other states was supplemented by the
signature of United States Senator
George c. Perkins and Congressman
Kahn and Hayes
The decision to send the telegram
was reached al the break fast given the
visitors by the Portola festival COM
mittee at the ST Francis hotel yester-
day morning. Congressman Julius Kahn
Of San Francisco told of the extent OF
the international interest taken in the
Portola festival He stated that Eng
land, France, Germany, Holland. Japan.
China and other nations are sending
ships TO San Francisco to take part in
the festivities. He deplored the fact
that there might be few American yes
sells here 10 greet them. Were the
Pacific feet permitted TO remain here"
he said, instead OF being sent out on
its cruise before the date Of the festi-
val it would give the people of the
community added courage and make
them realize that the government of
the United St1tes took the same inter
est in their affairs that other nations
did"
VISITOR PUTS MOTION
At the conclusion OF Kahn's address
Congressman Charles F. Scott of Kan
sas made the motion that telegram
be drawn up and signed by the entire
delegation, addressed TO the secretary
Of the navy, and urging him TO have the
feet remain until after the Portola fes-
tIvsL The motion was promptly sec
onded. There was little time for the
preparation OF the appeal. as the con-
gressmen had TO leave the st. Francis
at II o'clock But they turned their
attention quickly 10 the drafting of
the paper Congressman Kahn and
z A. Hayes drafted the dispatch, the
sentiments Of which We're concurred in
by the congressional party.
The MESA &c was on the wires before
the steamer Siberia had drawn away
from the mail dock.
This dispatch was supplemented last
evening by a telegram from Senator
Perkins, who is chairman of the senate
committee on naval affairs, and Con-
gressmen Kahn and Hayes further urg-
ing the secretary Of the navy TO permit
the Pacific fleet TO remain and take
part in the Portola festival
BREAKFAST HONORED GUESTS
The breakfast was given in the red
room of the ST. Francis by the Portola
committee. Milton H. Esberg acted
tola festival represented the unified
spirit in the state. Continuing he said:
We are going 10 have a great festi-
val this year and next year and every
other year We want you to know
who we are and what we are and we
want you TO spread the great gospel of
California throughout the country.
we want nothing but the festival
spirit with US We want people to
come here and talk about the west and
about California as A great factor in
the United States. We are at present
great and we are growing greater.
When the Panama canal is opened. its
influence on the west will make Us
greater still"
Supervisor James A. Johnston fol-
lowed, explaining the occasion of the
POrtola festival. which commemorated
the discovery Of San Francisco bay and
gave the city the opportunity to cele-
brate its reha Utilization.
REPLY FOR DELEGATION
Congressman L. p. Padgett of Ten
nessee and George W. Prince of Illi-
nois replied on behalf Of the deIega-
ton. Padgett spoke feelingly of the
reception given the party by the citi-
zens Of San Francisco. Prince, who
is a member Of the committee on mill
tary affairs, spoke Of the high quality of
men in the army and of the efficiency
Of that service. He paid the highest
compliment to the efficiency Of former
Secretary Of War Elihu Root for his
work in reorganizing the army.
Kahn talked Of the Portola festival.
The congressman then went into
session and prepared the telegram for
the secretary Of the navy.
At II o'clock the party left the st.
Francis for the steamer Siberia. They
departed from the hotel with the
women Of the party in tallyho coaches.
They were given a rousing cheer as
the equipages drove away.
BID VoYAGERS GODsPEED
Many friends of the congressional
party were ar the dock to see the ST.
IBERIA and its distinguished passengers
of for the Hawaiian islands
Those present at the breakfast yes
terday in addition TO the congressional
delegation were;
E A Hayes of California, julius
Kahn OF California. Naval Constructor
Holden Evans and s. Fred Hogue.
The members Of the entertaining
Portola committee present were: Mil
ton H Esberg, who acted as toastmas-
ter: John A. Hammersmith, James A
Johnston. Robert Roos, James Rolph Jr.,
Edgar D. Peixotto and John H. Car
ruthers.
Hawaii Prepares Welcome