Evening star., 1951-04-19
Hundreds Join Throng
Al SfatIer.fo Glimpse
Macarthur Family
By George Beveridqe

Oy SeOISe peVeIiuyS
Cheering hundreds swarmed
back into the Hotel Statler lobby
and mezzanine floor before noon
today, waiting for the noon ap-
pearance of Gen. Macarthur and
his family. Il
Their vigil wasn't as long as last
night-when they stood for more
than two hours awaiting his ar
rival from National Airport.
Ordinarily, the mezzanine crowd
would have missed out. but the
general. accompanied by Mrs.
Macarthur and their son Arthur,
got off the elevator at the mezza-
nine, walked down one flight of
stairs to the motor entrance and
sped away.
The general smiled broadly and
waved, but did not slacken his
pace,
Gen. Kruger Visits Him.
He had only one visitor during
the morning Gen. Walter
Kruger, MacArthur's chief field
commander in the Pacific. Gen.
Kruger retired soon after the
war, but came here from San An
tonic to take part in the well
come.
Gen. Macarthur did not leave
his Statler suite until noon, and
spent most of the morning work.
lg on his speech to Congress.
Last night, 1000 persons who
couldn't wait until this after
noon to see him, were rewarded
with little more than a glimpse
of the famed commander.
ThrOngs Kept at Distance.
In striking contrast to the surg
ing, closely-packed crowds which
slowed up his movements in San
Francisco streets. unusual police
restrictions kept last nights
throngs-and news reporters and
photographers-from getting close
enough for a good view of the
general and his family.
Even their grumblings about the
police lines. however. couldn't
dampen the enthusiasm when the
distinguished military leader
arrived. r-
The motor caravan rolled up to
the Statler at los am, past about
1000 men, women and children,
lined up four deep on the south
side of K street, between Fifteenth
and Sixteenth streets NV. Only
police were on the Statler side
of the street. But groups were
gathered at each corner, and
people leaned out of windows of
the Statler as well as the Carlton
Hotel, across the street.
General Acknowledges Cheers.
AS the flashing red lights of
the motorcycle escort came into
view down K street a cheer broke
out. There were cries of FIJI,
Mac!" and Were with you!"
Then the crowd good -humoredly
picked up the yell, Where's
Harry? Where's Harry?"
The motorcycles pulled up to
the north curb in a straight line.
AS his car passed by, Gen. Mac
Arthur leaned forward to acknowl-
edge the cheers and waves. Then.
with its windows rolled up, his
sleek car swung into the taxicab
ramp leading to the rear entrance
]! of the hotel. I
Mrs. Macarthur stepped out
first and, looking toward the STILL
cheering crowds on the street,
asked the general, Shouldn't we
go down and wave?"
Taking his wife by the arm, ;,
and with his 13-year-old son Ar
thur at his side, the general walked
to the end of the ramp and again
smilingly returned waves for a.
new outburst of applause.
| AS the visitors walked back
toward the hotel entrance, a large
Army truck pulled up, and a covey
of Statler bellhops trotted out to-
begin unloading about 80 pieces
Iof baggage.
Wife Waves White Handkerchief.
1t appeared that about 1000
people jam-packed in the Statler
lobby near the rear entrance would
fare little better than those out
side in getting a good look at the
general. Police roped off stairs
leading to the entrance and nine
officers. ranged across the stairs
facing the crowd, partially OBJ
scured the view. Beyond them,
hotel officials and other police also
blocked the crowds vision.
| When the motor cavalcade was
spotted, there were cries of Down
in 'front.'" and Get them out of
the way!'
The general and his attractive,
dark-haired wife smiled and waved
only briefly in response to the
spontaneous outburst which greet
ed them as they passed through
the door. But, in a few seconds,
they reappeared and walked past
the police to the rope separating
them from the crowd. Mrs. Mac
Arthur. dressed in a black coat
and tiny black hat, waved white
handkerchief and grinned widely
at their audience.
Statler Manager Herbert G.
,Blunck then led the way to Sec
ond-f1oor elevator suite on the top
floor of the hotel.
The crowd, which began to dis
or two hours so their employees
could see the general, too.
Nearly 1,700 police and firemen
were detailed to cope with the