Weekly journal-miner., 1915-04-21
PRESCOTT GIRL ASPIRANT
 FOR HIGH HONOR
(From Wednesdays Daily.)

NA %CAAA W NAAASoAol OaAAJsJ
 Feeling is rife in every locality ir Arizona as to which shall achieve the honor of having its most eligible young woman selected for the distinc ton of sponsor at the launching of the super r-dreadnaught Arizona" to occur at the Brooklyn navy yards June 18th
 Prescott, so far as is known at this writing. was the first city to figure ir the list of aspirants and Miss Esther Ross, daughter of w. w. Ross, the well known pioneer merchandising gist, is the most prominent young lady who is aspiring to this honor Miss Ross is Y and was born in Pres colt. Her father is not only pioneer oi Arizona, but can qualify as mem. Der of the Pioneers Society of Cali fornia, his father having been an Argonaut in 1849. Both parents are descendants from revolutionary stock as the fore-fathers of both fought fo: American independence.
 The papers of Arizona are filled with columns boosting for local fav- orites. but SO far as is known the Prescott young lady is not only the first in the field, but has been backed hy some of the highest officials both in the state and federal administra- tions. Here follows the letter of Sec retary Fraser of the local chamber of Commerce. This letter was writ ten many weeks after the campaign for Miss Ross preferment was launched, but it is characteristic of many others that are being sent by Yavapaians from all parts of the state:
 Governor Geo. w. P Hunt,
 Phoenix, Arizona.
 Dear Governor: Miss Esther Ross, daughter of w w. Ross, our prominent and public spirited mer- CidHl, Has DGCll luSllllOllCu lO lllS dS a candidate for the honor of christ enine the new super-dreadnaught Arizona" to be launched early this summer.
 "A native of this city and most charming young lady is Miss Ross. She is Democrat, as have been her forefathers away back to Revolution ary days. Both father and mother come from the soldier stock that freed this republic from the dominion o. England. MT. Ross is eligible as a pioneer of California, his father having been an Argonaut of lS49. As you know, he is a pioneer of our state, having lived in Prescott, alone, long enough to achieve this di5tinc- ton.
 "I believe, if you should deem her worthy Of this distinguished honor, the choice would be an ideal one and l know Miss Ross would represent her native state most successfully.
 Trusting that you are well and with kind regards, I am, dear Gov ernor,
 (Signed) MALCOLM A. FRASER, Secretary"
 It is quite probable that the spon- 5or especially if the Prescott lady is selected, will use Hassayampa water, not only because Arizona has fore sworn allegiance to Bacchus, but be- cause of the luck which the Hassay- ampa legend must bring to the battle Ship which will be the most invincible war craft in the world when she slides down the ways.
 Joe Gray, secretary of the Warren District Commercial Club, Bisbee, is out with letter similar to the above but he does not find it in his heart to name any vestal for the ceremony and Yuma, in the Examiner, of that city, says editorially: Of course there are Arizona beauties outside of Yuma, but should Governor Hunt choose a Yuma girl to stand sponsor and break a bottle of Hassayampa water ove- the bow of the great bat tleship Arizona" on the occasion oi her launching in June, he would do the appropriate thing. We have a large percentage of the beauties of the Southwest"
 The Yavapai County Chamber of Commerce, with the Nogales Cham her of Commerce, share joint honors in the suggestion, over year ago, that the next dreadnaught receive the name of the baby" state. Senators Ashurst and Smith and Congressman Hayden, urged the matter with all their power before Secretary Daniels and the approaching launching of a ship with this name was thus hasten ed over a year as, the next two to be launched will not be ready for at least Is months. ESTHER ROSS TO
 CHRISTEN BATTLESHIP