The Ketchikan miner., 1909-06-12

William H. Taft pressed an electric key in the capitol a Washington, and the Alaska ' Yukon- Pacific Exposition was formally opened to guests from every part of the world.
 The opening exercises were conduc- ted in the presence of nearly quarter a million people. These impressive ceremonies were held in the immense natural amphitheatre on the shores of LakeW ashington. The enormous crowd stood silent and awed as the solemn words of Invocation were uttered by the right Reverend Bishop Edward J. O'Dea, Bishop of Seattle. Not flag or strip of bunting from the thousand flag staff; and domes; the entire city awaited with sup pressed eagerness the touch of the presidents hand.
 With the strike of the bell announc- ing the arrival of high noon, the deep whistle from the University power house taken from the Russian gun boat that announced the transfer of Alaska to the United States years ago, gave response to the fash from Washington, and every wheel of the exposition machinery was set in motion. It was the signal for general pandemonium from every whistle, bell and siren of the great manufacturies and steamers the sound was taken up, and the great throng gave vent to it's withheld enthusiasm. From the top ot a giant flag staff two hundred and fifty feet in height, the largest American flag ever made, broke loose and the exposition city was buried in cloud of flags. banners and gayly colored
 bunting.
 Over the blue waters of Elliot Bay came the laundering salute of twenty one guns from ships of the American Navy, and re-echoing this rang back the answering reply from the grim muzzles of the guns of the Mikado.
 The programme marking the most i'm portant happening of general in- terest ever held in the northw est, was particularly elaborate and inter- esting. Its commencement was announced by the firing of the National salute from the grounds of a mountain battery stationed on the grounds, and this was the singnal fer the movement of the military march to the general review. This was made up of one thousand regular troops, two batteries of mountain and coast artil- lerv, two companies of cavalary, bat talions of marines and blue jackets from the navy and two companies of marines and sailors from the Japanese cruisers Also and Soya. These were drawn up in parade rest just back of the amptheatre.
 The formal programme opened with the playing of America, by lnnes Band at thirty this was fol- lowed by the Invocation by Bishop O'Dea which was brought GO a close at the exact minute of twelve.
 The address of welcome was deliv- cred by Director General ]. A. Nea- deau and following this the march, Gloria Washington, the official expo oltiOu LudTCu "dS IcudcIeu TUT tHS hrst time in public. Further addresses were made by Hon. Sir James Bryce. British Ambassador to the United States, Hon. Jas. J. Hill, President of the Great Northern Railway Com pany, Congressman Rodenberg and after these President of the Alaska Y Yukon- Pacific Exposition J. E. Chil- berg turned the completed exposition over to the people of the city and state.
 The Benediction was pronounced by Right Reverend Frederick w. Keator Bishop of Olympia and closed the ceremonies of opening.
 A magnificent display of daylight fire works followed the throwing open of the fair and this was continued throughout the ternoon. With the close of the programme a luncheon was served to distinguished guests and attended by many prominent ladies and gentlemen guests of the expos. sion management. In the evening an official banquet was rendered visiting iignitaries at wLich short addresses