The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-02-24
BIG EXPOSITION'S OPENING.
Joyous SalvOs Today Will Ring in
Hour Which Inaugurates Panama
Pacific at San Francisco.

San Francisco, Feb. 19.-Instead Of
the lone sunrise gun that ushers in
other days Of the year, dawn tomcr-
row in San Francisco will be ac-
claimed by salvos of artillery from the
batteries on both sides of the Golden
Gate and from the warships at an
Choir in the bay. Five minutes later
20 drum corps will send their roll
through the streets, shrilling to all the
city call to rise and welcome the
opening Of the Panama Pacific In
ternational exposition.
President Wilson will send by wire
less the vivifying spark that is to en-
ergize the exposition, but since he can
not be here in person, it has been ar
ranged that the people themselves
shall enter upon their ownership in
their own way.
Theer is to be a parade, but it is to
be parade like no other-a parade
as nearly as possible without specta-
tors. If all the city were to march
and none were left to watch then the
directors would pronounce it perfect.
By tens of thousands in societies,
in fraternities, in civics, business or
ganizations the people have enrolled.
AS they approach the entrance to the
concourse fronting the Tower of Jew
els, there will be assembling in the
California buildings at o'clock the
president and vice president of the ex-
position, the directors, the State COM
missions, the national exposition CON-
mission, the woman's board, repre-
sentatives Of the army and navy, di-
| rectors Of divisions, chiefs Of depart
ments, heads of bureaus and others.
These will march down the avenue
Of palms, escorted by exposition
guards, United States marines and the
exposition band, to the temporary
grandstand erected in front of the
Tower Of Jewels. AS they take their
| places, Gov. Johnson of California,
Mayor Rolph of San Francisco and
| other officer. of the State and city
| will enter the grounds at the head OF
the citizens procession. The citizens
| will assemble in the concourese, while
the governor, the mayor and their
parties pass through a lane of SOL
diers and marines to the stand where
the president and directors of the ex-
position will receive them.
| Five mintes later the dedicatory
ceremonies, as simple and brief as
they can be made, will begin at 10 a.
m. Invocations and benediction
will be pronounced by clergyman rep
resenting the Roman Catholic, Prot
estant and Jewish faiths. Addresses
will be delivered by President Moore.
Secretary Lane of the department OF
the interior, representing President
| Wilson, Gov. Johnson, Mayor Ro1ph
and others. William H. Crocker, vice
president and chairman of the build
ing and grounds committee, will
formally announce to President Moore
that the exposition is completed, at
the same time presenting to him
gold scroll commemorating the occa-
sion.
! After the exercises have been con-
cluded President Moore will call Pres
ident Wilson in Washington on a long
distance telephone previously set up,
at noon, Pacific coast time, to notify
him that the exposition awaits his
touch to be opened. The president
will touch button, a wireless spark
will flash through the air across the
continent the fountain of energy will
leap upward, all the whistles in the
city and harbor will blow, and the
main door of the Palace of Machinery
will swing open, disclosing the ex-
hibits in motion.