The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-11
SEES THE SIGHTS.
President Taft Is Shown San
Pedro Harb0r.
Whisked Out to Los Angeles
Port on His Arrival.
HE HEADS A PARADE
Through Principal Streets Of
the Southern Metropolis.
Greeted by 10000 School Chill
drsn Carrying Flags.


skies with gentle breezes tempering the
unusually warm October day, President
Taft rode today over the calm expanse
OF water that forms the outer harbor of
San Pedro. the port of Los Angeles, the
president was aboard one of the gov
eminent launches, which had for an
escort a launch from the United States
revenue cutter McCulloch, in which was
Captain George M. Daniels and other
officers of the cutter. In the launch
with the president was Mayor George
Alexander of this city, Lieutenant e. c.
Leeds, engineer in charge of the harbor
work at San Pedro, and members of
the Los Angeles harbor commission.
headed by George Stewart, chairman of
the committee. Following the presi-
dents launch were many others, con-
tanning officials of this city and citi-
zens of Los Angeles and San Pedro.
The president arrived at Los Angeles
at 7:45 O'Clock, after a night ride from
Bakersfield. A reception committee,
headed by Willis Booth, president of
the chamber of commerce, and Mayor
Southern Pacific depot and here also
the presidents sister, Mrs. W. A. Ed
wards. of this city, was on hand to
greet him. Immediately the train was
switched to the San Pedro tracks and
with the members of the reception
committee in a special car attached and
Mrs. Edwards in the presidents coach,
the train was taken to San Pedro, ar
irving there soon after o'clock.
This permitted the president to par
take OF his breakfast on the way.
Just as the president stepped into
his launch for his trip over the harbor
of Los Angeles, the presidential salute
or Fl guns, fred by the McCulloch,
doomed out across the quiet and awoke
echoes from the surrounding hills.
In Fine Spirits
President Taft is in fine spirits and
appeared to enjoy immensely the
hours ride around the new harbor
First, he was shown the inner har-
Dor, where channels are being dredged
In many places by government and pri- |
vate interests to accommodate the
great traffic expected when the Pan
anna canal is completed.
Next the launch's prows were turned
toward the outer harbor and at length |
headed for the great government
oreakwater, nearly two miles in length, |
which forms q barrier to the waves of |
modious anchorage for vessels. ~
The water OF the harbor was alive !
With gaily bedecl1ed craft of all kinds |
md the: government launch bearing |
he president and his escort was COM |
oelled to thread it's way slowly about |
he various points of interest.
AT the wharf President Taft met Lieu |
enant General Adna R. Chaffee u s. |
\. retired, and the two shook hands and |
Exchanged greetings as old friends. |
Chaffee entered the govern
nent launch with the president and fol- |
owed by other members of the party |
n launches they were taken over the
arbor for two hours. The president |
vas greatly interested in the work of /
he government and in the construction
f the big $3,000,000 breakwater in the
utter ha-bo-.
The president Immediately climbed
NJ q n ant obi of< IT.
aunch and with hundreds of others
was taken to Point Firmin,
high headland jutting two miles sea-
7ard berond San Pedro city, where it
cations. Here the president was, shown
yer the government reservation and
he ground where the big gun was
laced.
Back to Los Angeles.
At noon the president and party re-
urned to San Pedro and his train
tarted for Los Angeles. One minute
tops were made at Wilmington and
Compton on the return trip and from
he rear platform President Taft told
he people of these thriving young
titles, how pleased he was to have had
he opportunity of viewing the great
larbor, which he predicted would |
mean much for the development of
outhern California.
Alighting from the train at the Aac-
DE depot, the president Was formally
by Mayor George Alexander
l the presence of an immense throng.
hen, without delay, he was seated in
N automobile with the mayor and
aptain Archibald Butt, and wither 9TH
r automobiles following and a squad
On of police to clear the way, headed
procession through the principal
treets of the city.
Great crowds lined the way, at one
ONT 10000 school children carrying
ags being massed to greet the nations
hief executive. After the parade dis
anded, the president was taken direct
the home of his sister, Mrs. w. A
dwards, on West Adams street, and
ere he will remain for the night
MAKES A PEA EOR MERCY