The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-02
TAFT OPENS
EXPOSITION
Great Rejoicing in
Seattle.
GOOD BEGINNING OF SHOW
Imposing Parade BY Soldiers and
Sailors.
D. ). HIN speak. i'm West and SENATOR
Piles In East-President
Sends Message Across
: Continent.

Seattle, Wash. June 1.--President
Taft, in the White House this after
noon, pressed-a telegraph key Of Alas
ka gold and sent a spark across the
continent that put in motion the wheels
of the Alaska Yukon-Pacifc EXPOSE
ton; loosed the waters Of its fountains,
unfurled its banners. started its bands
playing. released showers of daylight
fireworks. called upon the saiuting
guns of the American and Japanese
fleets, set all the steamers in the har-
Dor and all the--iocomotives in the
railroad yards believing and Shrek
ing. and brought forth universal re-
joicing from ali Seattle. which has
toiled for years to bring about this
day.
The exercises at the Worlds Fair
grounds preceding the Presidents sig
nal, were carried out with military
precision. The Exposition gates were
opened at $3.50 o'clock. At $3.50 troops
from the United States Army and
navy. the Japanese cruisers Aso and
Soya, and the State militia paraded
through the grounds under the COM
mand of Col. T. C.. woodbury.. u. s. A.,
and the column was reviewed from q
stand at the head of the court of honor
by exposition officials, visiting COVER
nors and Admirals Ijichi and Uriel Sc
bree.
in vast natural amphitheatre siop-
ing to Lake Washington. The stage
of this thestre seats 1900 persons and
IS located on the lake side.
The program consisted OF music, in
vocation by the Catholic Bishop. Ed
ward y. Day: brief addresses by Dr.
rector General l. A. Nadeau and Pres
ident J.. r. chilburg. the long address
by James ]. Hill. chairman of the
Great Northern Bccrd and a benedic-
ton by Episcopal Bishop Frederick w.
Keator.
Then Just before noon (Pacihc time)
word was flashed to the White House
that all was ready. and President Taft's
response set loose the flags. bells, ma
chinery. curious Japanese fireworks
and the noise.
When the message was announced .
huge gong struck I'VE strokes. an enor-
NOUS American nag was unfurisd and
thousands Of small flags were set tiut-
tering In the breeze.
a mountain battery fred q salute OF
fwenty-one guns. the Japanese and
American fleets In the harbcr several
miles away crashed out their tribute.
Luncheon was served to invited gueats
at the speaking platform.
During the afternoon there were re-
ceptions atsaii the State buildings. The
day was warm and partly cloudy.
The fair, ss thrown open today, was
finished and carpenters and painters
were nowhere to be seen. The few
delayed exhibits will be installed at
night.
The only serious deficit Is in the Ha-
waiian and Philippine displays. but the
transport dix Is speeding hither with
them and should arrive next Thursday.
Message from Taft.
washington, June LIN the East
- 6a II
ence of a distinguished gathering. Of
diplomats, Congressman and others,
President Taft at 3:15 o'clock this at
terpoon opened the Alaska Yukon Pa :
cific Exposition at Seattle by touching
agold kew.
A hearty cheer from the assembled
guests followed the flash of the cleo
trio current to the other side OF the
continent and as the hum of the great
machinery was heard by the EXPOSE
tion ofilcials at Seattle there arrived
Tor them a message of greeting and
cheer from the chief executive Of the
United States.
The message which followed quickly
after the current that put everything
in motion was as follows:
"The White House,
Washington. June /, 1908.
"Mr. J. e. Chilburg, President Alas
ka- Yukon-Paciflc Exposition, Sc
atll0s WASN'T
IT congratulate you and your asso-
ciates in this suspicious opening Of
the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition.
and congratulate the people of the
great Northwest on the courage and
enterprise they have shown in bring
ing 1t forth.
''The exposition, designed as Il is. to
exploit the natural resources and mar
velous wealth of Alaska and the de.
velopment OF trade and commerce. ON
the Pacific slope. should appeai nof
only to the people of the West, but TO
the people OF the country at large
trust II will fully meet the expeeta-
lions of those whose untiring energies
1t owes its birth and that 1t will prove
a source Of Inspiration ana educat ton
TO its thousands OF visitors.
William H. Taft.
There was instant reply from the
exposition, thanking the President for
his service and his congratuIat lions.
A more formal and extended response
from the exposition was made to the
President by Senator Piles Of WASH
ington.
President Taft made brief reply 20
the speech. again expressing his best
wishes for the success of the EXPOSE
tion and his belief that this success