Williston graphic., 1919-02-27

allotted several days ago. Buildings
all along the route Of the parade
were ablaze with flags and bunting
and recognition Of the international
character of the Presidents recent
activities was shown in the frequent
display Of flags Of the nations which
were in the war.
The great steamer George WASH
ington on which the President and
his party made the voyage from
Brest dropped anchor of Quarantine
shortly after dark last night.
The most exciting moments Of the
trip came on Sunday afternoon when
it was suddenly discovered that the
steamer running through a dense fog
was headed directly for Thatchers
Island off Cape Ann. 1t was the
destroyer Harding running ahead as
guard ship which discovered the
danger and gave warning signal.
Engines were reversed and the ship
was stopped thousand yards from
shore in deep water. A short dis
tance off Boston harbor the George
Washington was met by an escort
of eight submarine chasers. The ship
proceeded to quarantine and the
presidential party remained on board
over night. 1t had previously been
arranged that they should be brought
up to commonwealth pier this fore
noon on the coast guard cutter Os-
sipee and that the George WASH
ington should then leave for New
York to land the 1000 troops who
returned with the President.
The storm which had hung over
the coast for two days passed far
off to sea and day opened clear.
At Mechanics Hall
The meeting at Mechanics hall
was set for 2:30 this afternoon. All
the baggage of the party was brot
ashore and transferred to special
train which was made to start for
Washington at 4:30 p. m.
Joseph P. Tumulty, secretary to
the President spent the night aboard
the George Washington with Pres
ident Wilson and came ashore to-
day with the Presidential party. He
was believed to have the engrossed
copy of the six billion dollar war
revenue bill with him and it was
thought possibly President Wilson
might sign the bill before he landed
or as soon as he set foot on shore.
The Ossipee, former coast guard
cutter, was the leader of the well
coming flotilla. She displayed the
flag of Rear Admiral Spencer S.
Wood, head of this naval district,
who was aboard, and she carried
also the official greeting party. in
cluding Mayor Peters and Major
General Clarence r. Edwards.
Six other steamers were crowded
with those who were fortunate in
the ticket distribution. Led by a
submarine chaser and with eight
other submarine chasers flanking
them the fleet proceeded down the
harbor with bands playing patriotic
airs.
Every ship at the wharves in the
harbor displayed all the flags in its
locekrs and every passenger on the
welcoming ships waved the stars and
stripes.
The troops who came from France
with the presidential party on the
transport were not forgotten in the
general celebration. Delegations from
the Red Cross, Y. NJ. C. A., Knights
of Columbus and Jewish Welfare
board were on board some of the
city boats prepared to assist in ex-
tending hearty welcome to the SOL
diers. They carried doughnuts, cof-
fee, chewing gum, cigarettes, sta
tionery and newspapers.
Along the water front crowds
watched the welcoming fleet circling
about the George Washington Boats
and factories let loose their whistles
when the Ossipee went alongside the
steamship and the din could be heard
for miles.
James H. Wilson, son of Secretary
of Labor William B. Wilson, and a
private in the medical corps was the
only one among the returning troops
who was permitted to leave the ship
here, the others remaining aboard
for the trip to New York. Private
Wilson has been ordered to proceed
at once to Washington because Of
the serious illness of his mother.
LEGAL NOTICES