The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-04
JOHNSON UNVEILS
HILL MONUMENT
Governor of Minnesota Visits
Seattle Fair to Honor Rail-
road Constructor

SEATTLE. Aug. 3.-Rarely has
living man holding no official posi-
ton received such a tribute of esteem
from all classes of his fellow citi-
zens as that which was bestowed to-
day on James ]. Hill, the railroad
perishable bronze) was unveiled on
the Alaska Yukon Pacific exposition
grounds. An effort had been made to
have Hill present. but he modestly
pleaded rush of business in St Paul
and sent a letter in which he praised
the energy and fairness of Seattle
Besides having his memorial reared
during his lifetime, Hill will be able
10 read an unusual series of letters
received by the monument committee
in response to invitations to noted
men asking them to attend the un-
yelling.
TAFT REGRETS ABSENCE
President Taft and a great number
of senators and representatives who
are detained in Washington sent let
tiers Of regret.
Baron Takahira, the Japanese am
bassador, wrote:
Mr.. Hill has always been friendly to Japan
and the Japanese people. never permitting q
proper opportunity 10 pass without some ex-
preston of good will toward US. He has
senting not only the great American power,
but the good American friendship.
Acting Governor General ]. NJ. Glib
son Of Canada wrote:
We on this side of the imaginary line cor
daily Join in the complimentary sentiments
which you all express TO Mr.. Hill, and feel
& Just pride in seeing his eminent services TO
the people SO prominently and permanently
recognized.
Lord Strathcona cabled from Lon
don:
Ny associations with Mr.. Hill have been
most intimate and of long standing and
have always held him in the highest regard.
TRIBUTE FROM ROCKEFELLER
John D. Rockefeller wrote:
an happy TO join with the many to do
Mr.. Hill honor. He has wrought a great
work and has been very important factor
in the upbuilding Of our railway systems.
All praise TO him; would that had mere
such men.
Cardinal Gibbons wrote:
Regarding Mr. Hill as a giant of finance
and a of generous heart, should be
glad could be present.
Jacob II. Schif of New York wrote:
There are few men whom would hold in
such high esteem and for whom I have such
great admiration as James J. Hill.
Speaker Cannon wrote:
I think it is peculiarly fitting that there
should be a lasting memorial 70 commemorate
the life and labors Of Mr.. Hill who has been
aptly characterized as the great empire
builder Of the northwest"
Senator Clapp of Minnesota wrote:
Mr. Hill stands unique among the great
characters Of the age N the fact that his
own success is interviewer IN the prosperity
Of an empire.
Archbishop Ireland wrote:
The genius of James J. Hill has endowed
America with empire, vast in its out
1pread lines which he in his limitless glance
had measured when few others had seen
them even in thought; rich in opulent re.
when others had neither the forethought to
dream of them OF the skill TO open them 70
the reaching Of his fellow citizens.
MINNESOTA DAY OBSERVED
John A johnson, governor of the
state came to Seattle to deliver the
Minnesota day address and unloose the
cord that bound the flags of Japan.
Great Britain and the United States
about the monument TO James J. Hill.
It has often been said that Mime
sofa has contributed more people to
the new state of Washington than has
any of the other old states and the
this belief. The number of Minnesotans
present who have not yet left their
old home for the new state was also
large, including, besides the governor
and his staff. Mayor James T. Haynes
of Minneapolis and several hundred
residents of the twin cities, who made
the long journey to see Minnesota's
day of glory at the fair.
The Minnesota day exercises were
begun at , o'clock in the worlds fair
auditorium Judge Thomas Burk of
this city presided. Bishop E. J. O'Dea
offered prayer and addresses were de-
livered by Colonel Alden j. BIethen and
former United States Senator John l..
Wilson.
GOVERNOR JOHNSON SPEAKS
Governor Johnson was then intro
duced and said in part:
It is time that the west threw off the
shackles of the east. I would preach no
sectional divisions and no sectional strifes
but Minnesota and Washington and the states
between them. with those to the south of US
should arise in their might and claim for
themselves that fair share of influence in the
halls Of congress and in the administration
Of national affairs to which they are entitled
by every law Of common sense as well as of
political economy.
Not only in foreign commerce, hut in the
progress Of American shipping, is the west