The Washington herald., 1909-06-02
EXPOSITION OPENED
BY THE PRESIDENT
Seattle 0yerjoyed as Spark
Flashes Over Wire.
EAST ROOM THRONG CHEERS
Mr. Taft Sends Message Expressing
Hearty Congratulations, and Makes
Brief Address, in Which He Voices
Confidence in the Success of the
ProJect-senatOr Piles Replies.

President Taft in the White House al
o'clock yesterday afternoon pressed a
telegraph key. II sent a spark across
the continent that put in motion the
wheels OF the Alaska Yukon -PacifC Ex-
position. loosed the waters Of its foun-
tains. Unfurled its banners. started its
bands playing. released showers Of day
light fireworks, called upon the saluting
guns Of the American and japanese
fleets. set all the steamers IN the harbor
and al the locomotives in the railroad
yards believing and shrieking. and
brought forth rejoicing from all Seattle,
which has toiled for years 70 bring
about the day
Brevity and simplicity marked the
ceremonies IN Washington. The Presi-
dent had invited members OF the diplo-
matte corps. the delegations IN Congress
from the Western States. the delegates
from the Philippines, and a few news
paper men, 10 see the big exposition
set II motion.
Mrs Taft. Miss Helen Taft. Secretary
OF State Knox, and Postmaster General
Hitchcock were also present.
Touches Gold Key.
II was exactly 3I6 O'Clock when the
President walked into the East Room
and touched 2 gold telegraph key studded
with nuggets taken from the first mine
in the Klondyke
The President then sent this greeting 70
those who are working hard to make a
success OF the project:
Tie White Ho1se, Washington June l. lse
J. E Cnil5ers, President Alsska-Yu -Yukon-PaciAc tx
position. Seattle Wash,
! couEaulate you ard your associates o- this
aEspicCus opening IF the Alsska-f -Pscisc Ex-
Tslten. ard coaFTatulste ths people q the great
Northwest ol the courage and enteTTT1se they have
shoVn IN bringing i forth.
The exposition. designed as It IS % exploit the
natural rrs1urCes and narTelous wealth Of Alssks
ard the Development q trade ard commerce on the
Pacific Slcpe should appeal not only u the people
e ne West, but 20 the people q the country az
large.
tust II vii fully ueet the e1peclations ot those
70 Ehose Untiriug energies u owes ITS birth, and
that Il VII Prove s0rce q instruction ard educa-
u01 70 is th0lsands o. visitors
WILLIAM H IAFT.
Then he made a brief address 10 the
sssemblage in which he voiced his be
lief in the work Of the exposition as a
means Of industrial development
Senator Piles Response.
Senator Piles, Of Washington. al the
suggestion OF The President. then made a
short speech IN which he told Of the ex-
position. He said II would mean the
bringing together Of people OF all nations
an0 aid the rapid advancement OF the
States in the western half Of the coun-
ny
The exercises az the Worlds Fair
Grounds in Seattle preceding the Presl-
dents signal we're carried out with milf
taTy precision. The exposition gates
were opened az $50 O'Clock. AT so
o'clock troops from the United States
army and navy, the japanese cruisers
Aso and SOya- and the State militia.
paraded through the grounds under the
command Of Col T C Woodbury.. L :.
A. and the column was reviewed from
q stand III the head Of the Court OF
Honor by exposition officials. visiting
governors and AdmiraIs Hijichi and
VTiel Se5ree. OF Japan.
Tie exercises we're held in a vast nat
ural amphitheater sloping 20 Lake Wash
InEton.
The programme consisted Of music. IN
vocation by Bishop O'Day. Of the Cath
cHc Church. brief addresses BY Director
General /. A Nadeau and President J F.
ChiIberg. an address by James J. Hill.
chairman OF the Great Northern Railroad.
snd benedictiOn by Episcopal Bishop
Frederick " Keator.