The sun., 1919-09-14
VIEWS
PACIFIC FLEET
First Executive Ever to Salute
Nations Sea Power in
Western Ocean.
PRESIDENT IN A CRASH
Launch Collides While on
Way to Ships-Daniels Sees
Chief in Seattle.
PRESIDENT IN A CRASH
BIZ a star oorre.poresnt Of Ia. svs.

BY Std1 Correspondent OF IHh SuS.
SEATTLE, Sept. l3.-The President,
with the Secretary Of the Navy at his
port elbow, reviewed the Pacific feet
in Pugent Sound this afternoon, the
first time a Commander in Chief Of the
Navy ever doffed his hat to his coun-
try's sea power in the Western ocean.
Fifty-one fighting ships in fighting
trim, the feet over which Hugh Rod
man flies the Admirals four starred
flag, crashed the national salute one
by one as the old Oregon. survivor OF
a brilliant past, carried Mr.. Wilson up
Elliott Bay, and the echoes of more
than 1000 guns reverberated among
the gorges before the last flash and
report ended the tribute of respect.
When the Oregon stopped her engines
far out at the head Of the line OF gray
ships and out of the misty reaches OF
the bay, over toward the Baker Range,
shot a lean cruiser-the Birmingham
flagship of the destroyer feet She drove
nearer with the speed Of one OF her
wasplike charges, heading straight for
the midriffs of Capt. Clarks old fighter.
nearer and nearer until landsmen began
to shift their feet nervously. Suddenly
she veered her kn!felike PROV, swung to
starboard and flashed by, the band play
ing The Star Spangled Banner" her
port deck dressed and her salute guns
tearing the air with their eager reports.
Twenty-six Destroyers I'm Line.
And after her In beautiful alignment
followed the twenty-six destroyers, some
of which had served under Rodman with
the British Grand Fleet and wore their
service chevrons with obvious pride.
They shot by In the direction Of distant
Seattle. described half circle and came
darting back. to repass the Oregon on
her starboard side.
It was a picture which could easily
have been drawn OF feet review In
New York harbor. for Elliott Bay. where
the President measured the readiness Of
Americas Pacific feet. looks not un-
like the upper bay and the lower stretch
of the North River. Had there been q
dig girl of liberty set down somewhere
in the sunlit waters Fasteners would
have rubbed the'r eyes in amusement
over the similarity OF scene
Seattle has never known a day SO
prideful and exciting in her lively career.
Before the coming of the fleet she raised
S1o0, 900 to pay the cost OF entertain
ment and with that handsome purse she
has provided most of the things that
interest sailors ashore. She has brought
rough T ders and outlaw broncos from
Cheyenne. Her people have opened their
houses to give bed and board to Rod
mans 10000 blueJackets. The town is
theirs.
Carnival for Sailors.
And into all of this gay excitement.
with the city enlivened as with carnival,
came the President OF the United States,
a rare visitor upon this part OF the
Pacific coast What more could any city
desire7 Ordinary business was put
aGide.
The streets were jammed as never
before. This city of 100000 poured
probably that many persons into the
! few streets through which the President
! ,sssed on his wav 10 the feet. II was
a crowd of which even New York might
have been proud. Side streets connect
ing the two main thoroughfares of the
Presidential progress were completely
choked. People stayed where they hap
pened 20 be caught.
The President had no reason to com.
plain of lack OF fervor on the part OF
| these folk. for they were in the MOOD
| 10 cheer, and cheer they did.
whenever the thin police lines gave
II nj.