Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-03-05
IoWANs MUST SEEK NEW
GROUNDS FOR CALIFORNIA
REUNIONS.
FoRTY-FIvE THOUSAND
AT THIS YEAR's OUTING
Tramp Sod From EastIake Park and
Commissioners Protest - Col. D. j..
Palmer, Former Vice President Fair.
banks and Other Notablss Make Ad-
dresses-Five Thousand Autos There.
Especial Correspondence


Whittier, CAL, Feb. 27.-f Dame
Nature has moods" she has shown
herself both jealous and smiling for
the Iowa picnic Of southern California
the past two years. California climate
is said by many to be the biggest
thing in southern California; it's no
longer true. The biggest thing in
southern California is the Iowa mid
winter picnic. Apparently Jealous of
this constantly growing bigness the
weather was spiteful both last year
and this on Washington's birthday, and
now for two years the Hawkeyes have
had to wait for a nice day for their
great aggregation to swarm over East
lake park. Postponed from the 22d to
today. Saturday, fitful Nature was
smiling, and better day for the
Iowans could not have been made to
order.
And the people came. 1t was esti-
mated that they came IN 5000 autos.
They came on electric lines and steam
trains. They focked around the
county standards, registered, talked,
laughed, joked, ate several thousand
basket lunches, then talked, laughed,
and joked some more. To a newspaper
man it would be an interesting thing
to see the Iowa picnic once really
covered" The job would require
the combined efforts Of at least ninety
nine expert reporters and correspond
ents IT was like the battle Of the
Aisne, only it wasn't a battle at all.
1t was like the Aisne. in that it was
considerably strung out. This year
the county standards were arranged
alphabetically, rather than geographi-
cally as before. The distance from "A
to lizard was quite a walk. The man
who was widely acquainted in Iowa
would need about day to make the
distance, and he would have to be a
good handshaker, too.
Must Seek New Grounds.
Secretary Parsons Of the Iowa
society is wondering where the next
picnic will be held. Eastlake park is
too small. Besides, ninety thousand
shoes have a tendency to play havoc
with the. beautiful turf, if the weather
has been wet. The city park commits
.sioners are reluctant to grant the use
of the park under these conditions.
With "a hundred thousand former
Hawkeyes in the southland that are
also reluctant to go on record against
it, what is the answer to the puzzle?
Perhaps another year. will solve $ It.
At present It IS unsolved.
The largest OUT of -toWn. DELEGATIONS
We're from Pasadena and Long Beach,
each estimated>at 5000. Part of the
picnicksrs from the beach city came
in a special train of thirteen cars over
the Southern Pacific. The smaller
communities were represented by
delegations, numbering from twenty
five up.
The main features of the day were
the basket dinner, at noon, the lit
erary program in the early after
noon; the college reunions from to
4 p. M, and the thousands Of happy
reunions between former Iowans. 1t
is said that the prospect Of meeting
an old friend or relative is the main
incentive for attending the monster
gathering.
Many Veterans Present.
There was an unusual number OF
veterans present on account Of the
presence Of Col. p. ]. Palmer, Com
mander-in-Chief Of the Grand Army
of the Republic, who was the guest
on honor. The principal speakers
were former Vice President Fair
banks, Ex-Governor Frank Jackson of
Iowa, and Judge Wilbur, president of
the association.
Fife and drum corps from the SOL
diers' home and from Long Beach as
sisted in giving an ovation to Colonel
Palmer. In his interesting address he
spoke Of the present world war and
urged that the United States strength
en- it's defenses as a precautionary
measure. He declared that he is in
favor Of a larger standing army,
more battleships and Increased coast
defenses. Following the commanders
address, an informal reception was
given in his honor.
Mr.. Fairbanks, who Is from Indiana,
spoke of the intimate business and
social relations between the people Of
that state and the neighboring COM
.monwealth Of Iowa. He related some
Of the history Of Iowa and called at
tention to the achievements of its
thousands OF distinguished sons.
The speech Of MT. Jackson indi-
Gated that he is fully imbued with the
spirit Of Iowa. He told Of the prog
ress Of the state, it's wealth and pres
tige among the states of the union.
Judge Wilbur discussed the plans Of
the organization composed of Iowa
people transplanted to southern Cali
fornia.
Some Of the Features.
Col. and Mrs.-A. b. Shaw served
typical Iowa. picnic dinner to TWEEN
,ty-fiye guests. including Colonel Pal
mer, Mr.. Fairbanks, ~. Hamilton, Mr.
Parsons and Mr.. and Mrs A. r..
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