Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-12
Taft Greets Sister

TAFT GreetS sister
When Mrs. Edwards rushed into her
brothers arms with an affectionate
"William," everybody present silently
moved away in order that the sacred
ness of a family greeting might not
be disturbed by the presence OF
strangers.
Every precaution was taken by the
local police department under the per-
sonal direction of Chief Dishman, Sc
cret service officials, deputies from
Sheriff's Hammils office and the state
railway police of the Southern Pacific
railroad, to prevent any person ap-
preaching too close to the president s
car.
The reception at the depot was most
informal. In fact it was nothing more
than what the people gathered there
to see Mr.. Taft wished to make 1t.
Exactly at o'clock two chair cars
were attached to the train and 1t was
off to San Pedro for an inspection OF
the harbor and the Notifications site
there.
AS the train slowly moved toward
San Pedro the whistles of every fac
tory and shop in the entire neighhor-
hood began to tOot a salute. windows
and yardways, streets and sidewalks
were crowded with toilers whose days
work was just beginning
On board the presidents train, when
1t entered the River station, were Pres
ident Taft, Capt. Archibald Butt, aide
to the president; Governor Gillett, John
Hays Hammond, Charles G. Wagner,
DR.. J. j. Richardson, w. w. Mischler,
assistant secretary to the president,
James Sloan, jr., Joseph Murphy, Rob-
ert T. Small, r. H. Hazard, e. A. Fow-
Ter, William Hoster, S. p. Allen, Fl. L.
Dunlap, George w. Hazen, and Arthur
Brooks, valet to the president.
Trip Without Incident
The trip to San Pedro was without
incident except for greetings from fac
tories and factory hands, farmers and
others, who happened to be near the
tracks as the train sped by. Arrival
at San Pedro was exactly at o'clock,
no attempt being made to break time
records, as it was thought it would be
better to go slowly and exercise the
greatest care to prevent any possible
accidents The train was in charge of
the following crew: Engineer, C. F.
Ollie; fireman, G. A. Faber; conductor,
H. A. Culp; brakemen, r. A. Neil, A.
N. Briggs, and dining car conductor,
w. C. Deacon.
All San Pedro turned out to meet
President Taft, and as he stepped off
the train at the Fifth street station,
preceded and followed by secret service
operatives, cheer after cheer was sent
up, Everywhere the national colors
were displayed, and city and citizens
alike had a gala appearance. Another
whlgtling welcome was given by fac
tories and ships as the president stepped
off the train.
No time was lost in leaving the train
and boarding launches for the harbor
trip. A detachment Of marines, with
arms at ''present," made an avenue for
the presidential party as it passed to
the launches.
AS the president stepped into the en-
gineers launch Pedrito Lieut.. Gen.
Adna r. Chaffee, U. s. A., retired,
stepped up alongside the launch, The
president had just taken his seat in the
stern of the launch, but the moment he
saw Gen. Chaffee he was on his feet,
his face wreathed in smiles and his
hand extended in glad surprise. 1t was
the first meeting in many days or the
former secretary of war and his right
hand man, former commander of the
army.
AS President Taft reached out his
hand he said: "Why, old man, how are
you? How is your chief
(referring to Mrs. Chaffee). Get right
In here with me. l hope to see Mrs.
Chaffee before / get away" Their
conversation after that was lost in
the chug, chug of the launch. President
Taft and his immediate party, COM
posed Of himself, Capt. Butt, two secret
Service officials, Mayor Alexander,
Lieut.. G. 7. Leeds of the u. S. A. en-
gineering corps; George H. Stewart,
president of the harbor commission;
A. p. Fleming, secretary of the same;
T. e. Gibbon and ]. Il. Carr, members
of the commission, and Gen. Chaffee,
made the trip around the inner harbor
alone. The other launches in which
were members of the press and mem
bers of various committees waited along
the wharf until after the president re-
turned. In the other launches We're
the following:
Launch B-John Hays Hammond, j.
q. Koepfli. Senator Flint, Congressman
McLachlan. ]. ]. Richardson, w. w.
Mischler, DR.. w. A. Edwards, Robert
T. Small, Associated Press; II. H.
Hazard, United Press; z. A. Fowler,
Nav York Sun: William HOster Heart