The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-10-02

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Montana and Idaho 10 Washing
ton. down the length Of the Pa
cific Coast and returned through
the southwest. Arizona. New
Mexico. Texas. Louisiana. and
thence to Washington. stopping at
army environments in Mississippi
and South Carolina.
WORD II SPREAD
From Fort Lewis. the presiden-
tial party drove through South
Tacoma. across Union IT. to 9Th
ave. and out 9Th ave. to the ferry
slip.
Small crowds OF Tscomans,
jabbering exeitedly. materislized
along the streets a. the president
flashed by. They spread the word.
Many Tscomans, one way or
another. learned the president was
here. And a few actually saw
him. Many persons. upon hearing
that President Roosevelt was in
Tacoma, scoffed. And. in their
minds. when no confirmation APP
peared in the newspapers. SCOTS
were justified.
NEWSPAPERS -IN DARK
Newspapermen themselves were
In the dark. But they had re-
ceived a brief notice that the
president was embarking on tour
Of the nation and a request that,
should he appear In q locality. no
mention be made OF the fact. No
itinerary was given. but news
hawks hereabouts put two and two
together when subscribers began
calling In TO ask What are all
those soldiers and state patrol
men lining the Fort Lewis high
way for? What's going on ?"
Deskmen first said they didn't
know; later they said II was
military secret
Fittingly elaborate precautions
were taken 10 protect the presi-
dent. All bridges were patrolled
by military guards. Highways
were sprinkied with armed SOL
diers and every intersection had
its quota Of military police.
r. .. I. WAS ON JOB
Washington State Patrol Chief
James Pryde led the caravan. He
was followed by several cars con-
tanning state patrolmen and fed
eral bureau Of investigation agents.
Then the president In his car. fol-
lowed by more state pstrolmen.
+. b. I. men and soldiers.
The presidents party did not
use specially-detached navy
vessel to cross the sound. As might
have been expected. A ferry. the
Defiance. In the regular shuttle
service between the 9Th ave. slip
and Point rosdick, carried the
nations chief executive.
ADMIRAL IN PARTY
The ferry was commanded by
Capt. Jules Johnson, regular
skipper. although the presidential
party did not lack for naval talent.
Rear Adm. c. s. Freeman. in COM
mand Of the 18th Naval District,
was in the group.
Even officials OF the Washing
ton state Toll Bridge authority.
who operate the ferries. did not
know In advance who the dis
tinguished passenger would be. All
they knew Ia that the navy had
chartered a ferry for a certain
time.
DETAILED STORY TOLD
A detailed account OF the presi-
dents inspection tour In Tacoma
and the Pacific Northwest was
written by Merriman Smith.
United Press correspondent. who
was a member of the party.
His story follows:
President Roosevelt moved into
the vital and potentially dangerous
Pacific coast theater OF war opera
tons 10 find increasing evidence
that "the people OF the whole re-
gion are in this war To win IL. and
TO win il just as fast as we can"
Mr.. Roosevelts admittedly
mounting confidence in the Ameri-
can war effort stemmed from Wis
its to Fort Lewis . huge north
western army post manned by
ready-to-fight troops: the highly
active Bremerton navy yard where
new fighting ships are built and
sick ships made well again: the
Boeing aircraft plant which Is
turning out the big Flying Fort
rexses which have made their
bombing ability known in every
war theater Of the globe
CHECKS DEFENSE
In touring the area the president
saw countless preparations for at
tack that might come at any time
from the Pacific.
Precautions and defense install
lations rarely seen in the east were
visible on every side as the chief
executive and his party went from
Fort Lewis to the navy yard on
Puget Sound and later. the Bpeing
plant
At the army post. which Is
geared for instantaneous action 10
repel an enemy attack on the
Northwest the president reviewed
rack infantry and field artillery