Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-01-01
san DIEGO GROUNDS
ABLAzE WITH LIGHT
AT GREAT OPENING
President Presses Button at
Midnight, Ushering in Year
and Fair
SKY is FILLED WITH
BURSTING ROCKETS
And Great Circle Of Hills 20
Miles Away Ablaze with
Hugh BOn6res

San Diego, Cal, Jan. 1.-The panama.
California exposition, which has been
building for five years, was formally
opened at midnight with elaborate cere-
monies. Just as the old year passed
and the new came in, thousand rock
cts were shot into the sky from the
exposition grounds, and bursting 500
feet above the tallest tower, illnmined
the splendid scene below, and $4,000
upturned faces, as if the sun shene full
upon them.
AT this instant, above the dome of
the great music pavilion, there appear.
ed q monster electric device represent
ing the Panama canal, its moving lights
illustrating the minglng Of the waters
Of the Atlantic and the Pacific. while
al the bells Of the city io'ned in the
clamor with the shricks Of a thousand
whistles, the measured booming Of a
hundred cannon from land batteries and
warsnips and hurraEs from thousands
Of thrOats. Huge bonfres lit the sides
Of the semi.eirele Of mountains 90 miles
away, and by the touching CT button
IN the White House at Washington,
President Wilson set aglOw myriad
lights along the Prado and above the
Alameda aud the Isthmus of the ex-
position.
On platform erected in the Plaza de
Panama on the exposition grounds,
President G. A. Davidson finished on
the stroke Of midnight mis- speech of
acceptance Of the keys Of the exposi.
ton, presented to him by Mayor Charles
r. O'Neal, who had received them
from Bertram G. Goodhue, architect OF
the exposition. Former President d. G..
Collier had previously briefly outlined
the history of the exposition. John d.
Spreekles presented to Park Commis.
sioner John +. Forward, Jr., the deed
Of gift to tine magnificent music pa.
vilion and pipeorgan and the buildings
Of the states Of California, Washington,
Utah, Montana, Nevada, Kansas and
New Mexico, and those Of the various
groups Of counties Of California were
thrown open.
Ceremonies incident to the opening
Of the exposition were started at $3.50
o clock last night, the gates having
been opened to the public at Z o'clock.
A dinner to press representatives was
held at this hour and all Of the great
spectacles and amusement features
along the lsthmus were thrown open
to visitors.
Lights were turned ON over tht mag.
nifcent grounds that form the setting
in Balboa park for the beautiful Span.
ish colonial buildings Of the exposition,
lighting wide yistas that were tericul
ored with the bloom Of hundicds Of
acres Of tropical vegetation
Dedicatory services Of the exposition
were begun at II o'clock today. Hon.
Lyman j. Gage, former secretary OF
the treasury Of the United States, pre-.
sided, and introduced William @. Nc.
Adoo, present secretary of the treas.
ury, who spoke for 30 minutes az the
representative Of President Wilson. lie
was followed by Count Del Vale De
Salazar, representing the king Of Spain,
and John Barrett, director general Of
the Panama. American Union, represent.
ing the governments Of South and Cen.
trail America. These were followed BY
the governors of the states having part
In the snn Diego exposition bnd the
mayors of many western cities.
Dedication OF the women 's building
took place NJ noon under the auspices
Of the womens board of the exposi.
ton. The banquet of President Of the
Exposition q. A. Davidson TO promi.
nent guests will be served tonight, co.
incident VITA the banquet Of tie wom.
en- q board.
Tomorrow at 10 clock great mill.
tary and naval parade will open the
day A procession of decorated auto.
mobiles win be the feature Of Che after.
noon, and AZ night will occur the Of.
fetal reception Of the women and the
grand carnival on the lsthmus, to fit.
tingly end, in ioy0is revelry, the three
days Of celebration.