Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-12
NEW WORKERS
ATTEND PICNIC
FORMER EASTERNERS GATHER
IN SYCAMORE GROVE
CALIFORNIA is CALLED EMPIRE
STATE OF WEST
Interesting Program of Addresses and
Recitations Given After Luncheon
Is Dispatched-sports Af-
ford Amusement

Sons and daughters of the Empire
state, who have made Southern Cali
fornia their adopted home, gathered
yesterday in picturesque Sycamore
grove, the occasion being the annual
reunion and outing of the New York
State society of Southern California.
Although the attendance yesterday
was not as great as on previous re-
unions, due doubtless to the fact that
the past week was a holiday week,
what was lacking in numbers was
more than supplied by enthusiasm.
Although the remarks of the various
speakers abounded in words of praise
for California, reference to the at
fractions of the faraway "home state"
elected bursts of real enthusiasm.
"That the, Empire state is still the
Empire state, in spite of California,
was a remark that was appreciated
and the crowd appreciated, and no at
tempt was made to belittle the glor
les of the Empire state of the Golden
Vest
Luncheon Comes First
The crowd began to gather early in
the morning and to prepare for the
noon luncheon. Profiting by past ex-
periences, 1t was deemed advisable to
have the luncheon~befo the exercises
began, for it was agreed that speech
making and entertainments were en-
joyed more fully when the 'inner
man. had been replenished.
The luncheon was featured by the
presence of Mayor Alexander, who
stated he stole few moments away
from his official cares to pay his re-
spects to the former residents of New
York, among whom he numbered many
personal friends. Owing to an en-
gagement, Mayor Alexander remained
but a short time and gave no formal
address. He was given a rousing re-
ception as he thanked the officers of
the society for the invitation to be
present.
The luncheon was served on long
tables in the upper end of the park,
and the gathering resembled large
family reunion as the edibes were dis
posed of, Incidents related and ac-
uuaintances of New York days re-
newed.
The gathering was called to order
at 2 o'clock by President Francis G.
Haley who announced that contrary
to custom no formal program had been
arranged and that no speakers for the
afternoon had been selected and what
remarks would be made would be ex-
temporaneous.
Real New Yorker Entertalns
[ President Haley spoke of the growth
of the New York society and urged
the members to work for further
increase.
He asked that more of the members
attend the monthly meetings. for In
this way the proper spirit of loyalty
to the "oId home" could be fostered.
The speaker then announced real
New Yorker was present and pre-
sented Mrs. Helen Chalmers Kingston
of Buffalo, N. Y, who Is in Los An
All - 4ctfe M re
Lucius Vogel, 1882 Cambridge street. |
Mrs Kingston is an elocutionist of
note and so we'll was the first recita-
ton received she was obliged to re-
spond to an encore.
President Haley became infected
with the recitation spirit and gave
humorous recital that pleased ALL
especially the younger element.
Rev. Thomas E. Bell, retired min
lister, formerly Of Buffalo, N. Y, gave
a rousing address In which he extolled
the praises of Los Angeles, but did
not overlook the Empire state. THE
longer / stay away from New York,
said Rev. Mr.. Bell, "the more think
of New York. New York is indeed the
adopted state of the greater portion
of the immigrants fromNthe old world,
for as the gateway of the east most
of the population of California once
passed through that state. The for
eigners arrive in New York hetero-
geneous mass, but after receiving the
benefits of New York schools and
churches start out in the world, ho-
mogeneous mass" Rev. DR.. Bell then
stated 1t made it seem more like home
and real reunion to have recent ar
rival, and one of talent, present, and
requested Mrs. Kingston to give an
other recitation, which was well re-
ceived.
Pastor Makes Address
Rev. DR.. E. w. Pasko, pastor of the
Euclid Heights Methodist church, re-
sponded when called on for remarks.
Rev. DIR. Pasko brought forcibly to the
attention of his auditors the great re-
form wave that is going over the coun-
try, and especially of the recent en-
deavors of Angelenos in the improve
ment of city politics.
1.-The cleansing and purifying of our
municipal affairs is bound to place
Los Angeles in a better light before
the country" said the speaker, "and |
it means that an honest man will have
a chance. That change for the bet
ter has been noticeable in Los Angeles
public affairs in the past few months
is evidence of what can be done, and |
we all hope the good work will con-
tinue'
The speaker then compared the |
scenery of New York and California, |
humorously mentioning the grand |
Hudson river in connection with the
$50 called" rivers of Southern Cali
fornia.
Remarks in a light and entertaining |
vein were made by Fitz Beach of Pas
adena, who said he could always dis
tinguish New York delegation be-
cause of the smiles and good nature
that always pervaded. 4.
AS the youngsters were clamoring
for the sporting events, the informal
program closed with an urgent request
by President Haley that all should join
the society. pull together and give New
York the position in this part of the
country to which she is SO justly en-
titled.
While arrangements for the sports
were being made county" reunions
were held. Each county had a sepa-
rate registration booth, and it was
noticeable fact that every county in
the Empire state had some represent
tation.
The sports kept the crowd in good
nature and afforded lots of amuse-
ment The women took great interest
and participated in a number of the
events.
The boys seventy-five yard dash for