The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-06-01
president PRESSED GOLDEN
KEY At NOON TODAY
Setting in Motion the Big Seattle Ex-
position Which Has Been Assembled
During the Past Three Years---The
Day Was Fine and Warm and Thou
sands of People Were on the Grounds.

Seattle, June 1.-The president in
the White House, at o'clock this
afternoon, presided at the telegraph
key of Alaska gold and sent the thrill
across the continent that put in mo-
tion the wheels of the Alaska-Yukon-
Pacific exposition, loosed the waters
of its fountains, unfurled it's banners.
started its bands and brought forth
rejoicing from all Seattle which had
toiled and prayed for years to bring
about this triumphal day. The exer-
c1ses at the fair grounds preceding
the presidents signal were carried out
in military precision. The soldiers
and sailors from the United StateS
army and navy, the Japanese cruis-
Iers AsO and SOya, and the state mill
tia paraded through the grounds un-
der the command of Col. T. C. Wood
bury, U. s. A., and the column was
reviewed by the exposition officfals,
visiting governors and Admirals Ijichi
and Uuriel Sebree The ceremonial
exercises were held in the vast ma
tural amphitheatre sloping to Lake
Washington. Here 10000 persons
listened to the music and the fnvoca-
tion by Catholic Bishop Edward j.
'O'Dea. Brief addresses were made by
Director General Nadeau and Presi-
|dent Chilberg. A long address was
delivered by James j. Hill, chairman
of the Great Northern board of di-
rectors, and benediction was pro-
nounced by Episcopal Bishop Freder-
lex w. Keator
Just before noon, Pacific time, the
word was flashed to the White House
that all was ready, and the presi-
dents response set loose flags, bells,
machinery, curious Japanese fire.
works and noise which announced the
formal opening of the exposition.
Luncheon was served to the invited
guests in the New York building
During the afternoon there were re-
ceptions at all the state buildings.
The day was warm and partly
cloudy
The fair as thrown open today was
finished and painters and carpenters
now here will finish today. The few
delayed exhibits will be installed at
night The only serious deficiency is
in the Hawaiian and Philippine dis
plays, but the transport Dix is speed
ing hither with them and should ar
rive next Thursday,
Following is the text of a telegram
sent by President Taft after he had
been notified that the fair was ready
for his official signal:
''The White House. Washington,
June 1, 1909. Mr.. J. E. Chilberg,
president Alaska-Yukon-Pacifi expo
sition, Seattle, Wash l congratulate
you and your association on this aus
picious opening of the A.-Y.-P. exposi-
tfOn and l congratulate the people
of the great northwest on the courage
and enterprise they have shown in
bringing it forth. The exposition,
designated as it is to exploit the ma
tural resources and marvellous wealth
Of Alaska and development of trade
and commerce on the Pacific slope.
should appeal not only to the people
of the west, but to the people of the
country at large. I trust it will fully
meet the expectations of those to
whose untiring energies it owes its
birth and that it will prove source
of instruction and education to its
thousands of visitors. William H.
Taft"