The Washington herald., 1913-06-01
HARVARD men AS COLUMBUS SAILORS

by the hundreds of thousands of people
in this country could see and perhaps
board these boats, for i felt that young
and old would be only too glad to avail
themselves af such an opportunity.
Il would have liked to take this fleet
of caravals along the entire coast of the
United States. but thought at that time
it would be indeed difficult to obtain the
permission of the Illinois authorities to
obtain the loan of the fleet for such a
purpose.
Although the scheme of showing these
boat has been continually in my mind
ever since the fair. I did nothing toward
accomplishing this end until last fall. /
had at different times approached in
huential men. told them what / should
like to do with those boats and was
greatly encouraged in going ahead by
their assurances that they would do all
within their power to help me carry out
what they termed a worthy purpose
Interested BigN Men.
Last November I started out with a
determination to realize my pet scheme
of many years standing. and at once
began an active correspondence with
some OF the most influential men in the
country, asking them to lend me their
these caravels in jackson Park along
the coast of the United States or else
raise funds enough to build exact du-
plicates of the boats
In the meantime number of the
students at Harvard, who had heard of
my idea, came to me and were most
anxious to help me In my efforts. Fear
ing that the Illinois authorities would
not look kindly on the proposition of
taking these boats away from their an
chorage for fear that something might
happen to them, we at that time de-
cided to communicate with the Spanish
government. requesting that they send
US the plans of the boats, especially
those of the Santa Maria.
After getting much information from
the ambassadors and those well acouaint-
ed with the affairs of Spain, we were
advised to write Admiral Cayo Puga, of
Spain. asking him II he would send the
drawings and plans of the Santa Maria.
1t was our idea at that time to build
this boat ourselves in this country.
spain's Aid offered.
Through some unavoidable delay we
did not hear from the Spanish admiral
until recently. at which time he wrote
that his government would be pleased
to grant our request free of charge and
would aid US in any other way. such
as fitting up the boat with exhibits of
an historical nature. that they could.
However, before we received this
letter, We changed our course and set
out to procure the duplicates of the Col
lmbus fleet lying in Jackson Park. Some
Of the most prominent and influential
men, including Gov. Dunno, of Illinois;
Mayor Carter Harrison. Of Chicago; Gov
Hiram johnson, OF California. and Presi-
lent Charles F. Moore, of the Panama
Pacific international exhibition. were APP
pealed to. Their word with the Illinois |
Park Commission was all that was nee
essary TO procure these ships.
The Illinois board fully appreciated our |
worthy purpose and gave US permission /
% borrow them. with a stipulation that |
! substantial bond for their care and safe |
'eturn must be placed in their hands
Last winter made a trip to Chicago |
md Inspected the ships as they lay
olidiy held in the ice. found they
fere in great need Of repair. whereupon