The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-05
Continued from Yesterday. }

From Williams, Arizona, as we
continue our westward journey, the
country gets no better rapidly. In
the high attitudes, in the vicinity of
Flagstaff, and perhaps hundred
miles to the west, there are here
and there patches of excellent tim
ber-straight, symmetrical pines,
which the lumbermen have not over
looked, for at several points there
are busy mills. But as our course
drops steadily to lower attitudes, we
pass through lands of Increasing
desolation-a parched and arid Sec
ton, in which there is little life,
vegetable or animal. This condition
continues for 200 miles or more af-
ter the Colorado river is crossed and
California is entered. Here the heat
of the desert is oppressive. the alti-
tude being only slightly above sea
level. The appearance of the coun-
try would indicate that when the
Creator made the earth He dumped
here the refuse, the leftover odds
and ends. I only wish we had just
one of those worthless heaps of
stone in Polk county-we would be
able to build some roads over which
our .Fords could spin.
Perhaps 100 miles before the Pa
tific coast is reached, the appearance
of the country improves. and soon
we are whirling through thriving
farms and groves, and pretty, up-tO-
date towns. Everywhere there is a
profusion of flowers and beautiful
shrubs-that is everywhere where
irrigation is employed. Where water
is not artificially applied the country
as rule is arid and parched But
all the towns of Southern California
are noted for their beautifully kept
homes. Hydrangeas. with wonder
fully large bloom, and of beautiful
tints, are everywhere in evidence.
HEDGES of geraniums, five or six feet
high, dense masses of flaming bios
soms-surround many of the lawns.
And so, after six days of steady
travel, we roll into Los Angeles on
Sunday morning, bidding farewell
to the Pullman that has been our
home during the journey, and the
: members of the pleasant party sep
arating to seek their respective &C
commodations-though all through
our stay at the convention we would
drift together again.
Los Angeles is one of the most
beautiful cities in the United States
and one of the most progressive. II
has shown greater increase in popu-
lation than any other city in the
country in recent years, and it con-
tinues to forge ahead. The people
are full of push and the gO-ahead
spirit, and they are constantly ex-
plotting the good points of the city
and the country surrounding. Los
Angeles real estate men probably
lead the world in their game.
The present population is estimat.
ed at half a million, but like all es.
Inmates of the Kind this should be
I discounted somewhat. The public
! buildings, stores and shops are very
creditable, and the residence dis
tricts are very beautiful. There is
always a large transient or tourist
population, and this is particularly
the case at this time. Practically all
the visitors to the San Francisco
and San Diego expositions stop over
at Los Angeles. The exposition cities
put up large sums of money, but
Los Angeles, without -any such ex-
penditure, gets the benefits of the
crowds.
The Elks' convention lasted an
entire week, and there was some
thing doing every minute. 1t was
estimated that the convention
brought $4,000 visitors to the city
besides the usual large number OF
transients. Los Angeles has fair ho-
tel accommodations, but they were
taxed to their utmost to care for the
thrOngs on this occasion. 1t was a
matter of pleasure and pride to me
to see the magnificent gathering OF
fine, clean, manly men from all over
the country. representing this great
, order.
One day was given over to visit
to Pasadena. This is one of the
most beautiful little cities in the
world, the home of many multi-mil-
liOnaires. who maintain magnificent
establishments, the grounds OF
which are dreams of beauty. Notable
among the splendid estates is that
of your friend, Mr.. Busch-Mr. An
heuser Busch Those who have used
his brew would be surprised and edi-