Evening star., 1909-06-01
SENATOR PILES UTTERS
THANKS OF PROMOTERS
Tells of Great Western Empire Built
in Seventy-Five Years.
RESPONSE BY THE EXECUTIVE
Cabinet. Diplomats. Congressman
and Newspaper Men Present at
Ceremony Held in East Room
of White House.

At 3 o'clock this afternoon, in the cas-;
room Of the White House. i'll the presence
of distinguished gathering Of diplomats.
congressman and others, President Taft
opened the Alaska-Yukon Exposition AT
Seattle by touching gold key studded
with gold nuggets taken from the first
mine in the l<londike.
guests followed the flash of the electric
current to the other side of the CONT
nent As the hum of the great machinery
in the exposition grounds was heard by
the officials OF the exposition there ar
rived for them message of greeting and
cheer from the chief executive of the
United States.
Telegram From President.
The message, which followed quickly on
the heels Of the current that put every
thing to work, was as follows:
The. White House,
Washington, June /, 1909
j. f. ChilberG, President, Alaska
Yukon Pacific Exposition, Seattle,
Wash:
congratulate you and your asso-
ciates on this auspicious opening of
the Alaska Yukon-Pacific Exposition,
and 1 congratulate the people of the
great northwest on the courage and
enterprise they have shown in bring
ing il forth.
iov, fC
exploit the natural resources and mar
velous wealth of Alaska and the de-
velopment 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.
l trust it will fully meet the ex-
pectations of those to whose untiring
energies it owes its birth, and that it
will prove a source of instruction and
education to its thousands of visitors.
WILLIAM H. TAFT.
To this message of the President there
was instant and grateful reply from the
officials of the exposition. thanking him
for his service and his congratulations. A
more formal and extended response from
the exposition was made TO the Presl-
dent by Senator Piles of Washington.
Senator Piles Responds.
Responding to words of encouragement
10 tine progressive people of the great
northwest. spoken by President Taft after
ne had touched the key which set in mo-
ton the machinery OF the exposition,
Senator Piles Of Washington voiced the
thanks of the people of the Pacific coast
ior thus InausuratinS the fair. which he
said "Opens in perfect readiness at the
time appointed and which has thus, al
10 SGT scored A not achieved
ny another exposition.
Retracing briefly the early history OF
The northwest country from the time the
first write women. young miSSionar ry
brides OF Marcus Whitman and Henry
SpaQlding crossed the Rocky mountains
with their husbands and with them took
possession in the name OF God. of the
fertile valleys that lay 10 the west
ward. down to the present day, Mr.
Piles spoke with much enthusiasm
Empire Built in Seventy-Five Years.
This exposition will give an ocu al
demonstration Of the empire that has
grown up in wilderness in less than
seventy-five years. he said. Railroads
have tunneled the supposedly impossible
mountains. our commerce is borne upon
every sea and our products are found In
every mart of trade Cities towns and
villages have sprung into existence as il
by magical within the brief span OF
human life
I'VE seek TO unveil the marvellous
wealth and limitless resources of Alaska
the Yukon territory and the states and
provinces OF the Pacific slope and 10
emphasize the Importance and future pos
sibilities of the commerce of the Pacific
ocean and of the countries bordering
thereon.
The exposition represents an expendl-
fure or S1Oooo0oo The grounds are
ideally situated between two beautiful
lakes, in full view Of some of the loftiesl
and most picturesque mountains in the
word. Here nature and art blend In per
feet unison
Ennobling and inspiring as other eX-
positions have been, this one will poin,
out 10 our countrymen a grander destiny
for the whole republic. higher hope foi
all the race"
President Expresses Good Wishes.
President Taft made brief reply 10 tn,
speech again expressing his best wishes
for the success OF tine exposition and hi:
belief that this success would be boun
tiful
Among those present in The east room
10 witness the ceremony were the mem
bers of the Presidents cabinet. man,
members Of the diplomatic corps Mrs
Tart. 4. T.. Taft. who j. here visiting hi
brother, Secretary Fed Carpenter III,
senators and representatives from Wash
inStou. tho delegates in Congress from
Alaska. the Philippines aud Hawaii, news
paper representatives and correspondents
Completed Exposition Opens;
Ceremonies According to BooI
SEATTLE. Wash. June 1-Prccedin
President Taft's signal in the Whit