January, 1917, Auditor’s Gate Report, Box 1, San Diego Public Library.

Paid admissions 13,352

Passes 16,210

Total admissions 29,562

Automobiles 1,714

Cash $2,415.85

January, 1917, California Garden. The Real Exposition Still Lives.

We have been upon a short visit to a city north of here a mile or so and found it almost in tears over the passing of our beautiful Exposition, the prevailing remark being, "Isn’t it too bad your exposition is done away with?" Investigation showed that the Exposition in the minds of these people was not the exhibits, nor the Isthmus nor the special events; not even the silk hats in which some of the officials bravely martyred themselves, but the lovely grounds and gardens, so to these it was said, "The gardens with the buildings that count in the picture are to remain and where inharmonious or useless structures are removed, additional landscape features will be installed so that, far from passing, the real exposition will be growing ever more beautiful. That which differentiated San Diego from every other exposition is a living thing, a heritage for the children of today, and not a passing show. Possibly if might be worth the while of those who send abroad the message of the city to emphasize THE LIVING, not the passing of our Exposition.

This brings to the top our extreme sympathy with the present park board, struggling with the applications of numberless bodies, thinking their title good to some of the exposition buildings, while this momentous problem of the maintenance of the exposition picture is so insistent. Gradually those features maintained for straight exposition purposes must merge into park items absolutely harmonious with the general scheme. To instance any of these now would be only to give a handle to protesters to protest and would serve no useful purpose, but that there are such must be known to all who know the grounds and have thought of their disposition. We also recognize the folly of even referring to this matter while it is in ferment, so to speak, but were we a Park Commissioner, which the good sense of the mayors and our good luck has prevented, we would deem it a prime necessity in parceling out the loaves and fishes from the exposition basket that everyone fell to a legitimate parking use. Mere merit would legitimatize such a long list of applicants, and might restore the Isthmus.

January, 1917, California Garden. Monthly Excursion, by G. R. Gorton.

We are loath to give up our exposition, even after two years of it, so we are to have three months of post nuptials. Nevertheless, this month marks the beginning of many months of metamorphosis --- if the alliteration may be pardoned --- and from now on there will be decided changes in the aspect of things: buildings will be razed, and necessary adjustments of the landscaping made, but in the opinion of a great many of the visitors to the exposition, so vital a part of it is the landscaping that if all the buildings were removed, which they will not be, the real exposition would still remain. Many of our guests during the past two years have been from among those who have "seen them all," and reached a point where they don’t care very much about the exhibits housed in the buildings, or the attractions noised about on the Isthmus, but are absolutely smitten with exterior aspect of the "Garden Fair," as Mr. Neuhaus rather punnily calls its. Fortunately, the principal and best buildings will, as we know, be spared the ravages of the wrecker, so the spell will not be broken.

As to what important landscaping changes will be made, it is probably a bit early to ascertain, but certain needed alterations will be made at once. The cannas, north of the California Building, will give place to Stocks in four varieties; the Montezuma Gardens will undergo a complete transformation, and son on. In the Botanical Building, necessary arrangements are now being made, which consist principally in the removal of such plants as have outgrown their environment, and substituting those of a more suitable size, and in the repotting of these which have merely outgrown their containers. The building is especially attractive just now by reason of a very creditable display of seasonable flowering plants. The Cinerarias have made a good strong start in flowering, while the Poinsettias look very well. There are some exceptionally fine specimens of potted Schizanthus, in mixed varieties, especially among those grouped near the pool in the conservatory. Cyclamen, Azaleas, Freesias, Primulas in abundance --- obconica, chinensis and melacoides all being well represented.

In the immediate vicinity of the Botanical Building, there are several high spots of interest, e. g., a gorgeous Cotoneaster argustifolia, which is worthy of anyone’s time and attention, as these shrubs and their kindred generally are. This particular specimen is near the west entrance of the Foreign and Domestic Arts Building. Then there are the Nandinas, northeast of the Botanical Building. These are always there, but it is well from time to time to call attention to the fact, as they are so very worthwhile. Just now they are displaying their very typical autumnal tints, which constitute their principal charm. Along the same walk, and further toward the west, Pittosporum rhombifolium has come up to the scratch with its annual crop of golden berries, which are always pleasing. Still continuing along the same walk, this time to the south, a group of Hardenbergia monophylla alba brightens up the landscape with its very attractive masses of pea-shaped flowers. East of the Botanical Building is a planting of Candytuft --- Machet by name --- which is there to please those who delight in fragrances, and particularly the fragrance of those flowers which have always been our friends, and those of our parents before us.

To return for a moment to the subject of the colorings which we are apt to associate with the fall of the year, the Cryptomeria japonica, which ornament a corner of the walk north of the California Building, are blushed with a smoky tinting which needs someone more proficient in the subtle art of color determination than the perpetrator of these notes. Suffice it to say that the colorings are good, and compensate to a large measure for certain difficulties attendant upon the growing of these trees in Balboa Park. Bordering the same walk the Viburnum tinus are enjoying on of their many seasons of prosperity, and are celebrating with a new crop of bloom.

North of the U. S. Government Building, forming an edging for the walk for a few feet, Stevia serrata fills the air of the immediate vicinity with the delicate perfume of its equally delicate white flowers. It is passing strange that this excellent plant does not occupy a larger place in our gardens, decoratively used as it is in so many ways. Not far away is a hillside of Cassia tomentosa, a sort of stable article in shrubbery plantings, and properly so. It has no bad habits, and can quality to enter the society of the most exquisite exotics. Also on the hillside, and somewhat to the west, there is an example of what Solanum Warcezwicii (this is a bona fide name, the printer did not insert it to fill up space) can do with half a chance. The specimen referred to is really two grown close together, but appears as one, and is an enormous thing. Also, it is very decorative. Probably the exposition landscapers may claim credit for the introduction of this very ornamental species to Southern California, as while it is somewhat grown in the East, it had not been planted hereabouts until the advent of the exposition.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Sun, 1:3-5, 2:3. GOODBYE!

Marking an epoch in the history of San Diego, the exposition, after two years and one day of success that has surpassed even the fondest dreams of its builders, ends tonight at 12.

Visiting thousands who are here today to behold the closing ceremonies and are joining in the joy and hilarity of the season, see a note of sadness in the passing into history of the most beautiful of fairs. For loyal San Diegans, who for two years have watched with pride the progress of the great undertaking, and the praise and fame it has brought the Harbor of the Sun will miss it.

But the marvelous dream city, with its acres of luxuriant foliage, and gleaming towers and beautiful buildings, will not go. It will remain forever the nucleus of Balboa park, and will be one of the famous beauty spots of California, and even though its period of actual operation will have passed, its gates will remain open to visitors from all over the world, an inspiration to San Diego and a monument to its creators --- a wonderland of America.

A sham battle, an army and navy parade, day and night fireworks, an open-air concert surpassing many shown in the best theaters of the country, and other special features will make today’s program one of the greatest days in the two years of existence. The celebration will end at midnight in a blaze of glory when bombs, high in the sky above the gleaming courtyards, will release the flags of all nations. As they waver in the sky, the band in the plaza will render "The Star Spangled Banner." Then the visiting thousands below will join in mighty chorus in singing "Auld Lang Syne," led by Madame Schumann-Heink. And the San Diego exposition, as an exposition, will then become history.

The great sham battle, in which battalions from the vessels in the harbor, carrying heavy field pieces, will bombard the entrenched 21st Infantry, will provide one of the most spectacular numbers of the day’s program. It was to begin at 2 p.m.

President G. A. Davidson of the exposition will be the honored guest of the great dream city today, in recognition of his invaluable efforts in conducting the famous fair t such a successful conclusion. At 8 p.m. directors of the exposition will assemble at the Cristobal at a dinner in his honor.

A resolution of thanks, signed by representative members of the principal commercial and civic organizations of the city, today was presented the citizens of San Diego and all California.

"We feel it our duty and consider it a privilege and pleasure to give this public expression to our appreciation of the largest and noblest service contributed by all of California in bringing the Panama-California International Exposition to such a happy culmination, and of the wholesome and generous support, assistance and cooperation of the people, cities and counties of California," is the recognition of the broad-minded endeavors of the people who are entitled to a liberal portion of the credit warranted by the gratifying outcome of the great undertaking.

The resolution is singed by President G. A. Davidson; Mayor E. M. Capps, in behalf of San Diego; W. S. Dorland, president of the chamber of commerce; A. D. LaMotte, head of the Merchants’ Association; O. E. Darnall, president of the Cabrillo club; F. M. White, representing the Manufacturers’ Association, J. C. Thompson, head of the Ad Club; and John A. Gillons, president of the Rotary club.

The gates of the exposition will remain open for three months at 25 cents admission, during the "clean-up" period. After that, at 10-cent gate will probably be established for the purpose of maintaining the great wonder city as a playgrounds for visitors from all over the world. All the principal buildings will remain intact, so the beauty and harmonious grouping of the idyllic structures will remain as one of the greatest outdoor attractions of the country.

President Woodrow Wilson, in a telegram of congratulations today, applauded the efforts of San Diego in bringing to a successful closes the great fair.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 1:1-2, 8:5. Local park system: expanse of lawn, shrubs, flowers delights visitors; 1,867 acres of parks: Torrey Pines 369; Collier 65; La Jolla 5; Mission Hills 5; city does not intend to improve all of Balboa Park --- large areas will remain in natural state; genuine zoo built up containing buffalo, deer, elk, birds, lions, leopards, bears, monkeys and alligators; Balboa Park valued at $4,735,000.

No city in the world, regardless of size, offers to its people a more superb system of municipal parks than San Diego. The story of the San Diego parks reads like the traditional fairy tale. It is little less wonderful than the story of the city itself. And both are as beautiful as they are true.

Scores of attractions demand the attention of the visitor, but he carried with him at his visit’s end no sweeter memory than all that the parks have offered, with their delightful contours, splendid foliage, exquisite roads and by-paths and their everlasting gardens of rare and fragrant flowers. The great Balboa park, covering an area of 1400 acres, has been referred to by tourists, because of its bewitching advantages, as a veritable Paradise on Earth. San Diegans, proud of their parks and mostly daily visitors to them, share the opinion. Each of the various parks is a genuine playground. In the very heart of the city, a few moments’ walk from the busy corners, one may find the rest and quiet and all the beauty seldom available except on the outskirts of the ordinary "park proud" town.

Summed up, the park system of San Diego has an area of 1867 acres. Think of it! Room for a city in itself. In addition to the great Balboa, or city park, there is found the Torrey Pines of 369 acres; Collier park, sixty-five acres; Mountain View park, fifteen acres; La Jolla park, five acres; Mission Hills park, five acres; New Town park, three acres; Plaza park, one acres; and Old Town park, two acres. The park system has a valuation of $8,492,700 for the land and $2,137,000 for improvements.

San Diego’s remarkable park system is due to wonderful foresight on the part of the city’s pioneers; to enterprise in the years that came after; to climatic conditions; to love of home; and to the broad, free spirit of the people who made its development not only a pleasure but a duty and a joy forever. The average San Diegan thinks as much of every park acre as he does of his own little flower garden or well-kept lawn. He counts them as one. Civic beauty is the slogan throughout. The park’s are the people’s playground --- not a "keep off the grass" sign in sight. San Diego was built in a region offering tremendous opportunities for such work. To the San Diegan, a tree is an adorable thing, a plant of similar worth, a flower a boon to all mankind. In such he has reveled. And out of his enthusiasm, his love for the beautiful things of nature, have come the gardens that have caused the world to marvel. Few people ever get acquainted with the San Diego parks without some kind of reverence to the Lost Gardens of Eden.

Probably no great park in the world is located so near the center of things --- so near to the people --- as Balboa park, home of the great Exposition just closed. A veritable bower of beauty, the home of birds and bees and rainbow-tinted butterflies. It commands a view of the mountains, the bay and the ocean, with rugged canyons, some improved, cutting through the landscape in superb contract to the flower-strewn fields and rose gardens and jungles of spreading, blooming tropical trees and falling vines.

All of the great Balboa park has not been improved. It will never be. The policy of the past and future is to be the same. Several large areas have remained --- will remain --- in their natural state. Here will be preserved all the native shrubs and wild flowers. And there are those who turn to these natural plots first of all --- turn to them with the adoration that comes with the love of first things, the love of the soil as it was before man came. For every inch of the undeveloped land is in the primitive state --- not even a stone overturned, not even a bridle path between the sagebrush and the greasewood.

In the main sections, however, wonders have been brought to pass. In districts once semi-arid and green alone in the rainy season, the development has been such as to arouse the envy of a New York or Chicago landscape artist. The lawns, like those in the residential districts, are green throughout the year, the roses and other flowers bloom continually, the trees are never bare of leaves.

The system of roads through the great park is beyond improvement. The bridges, some concrete, some rustic, are a revelation. The pathways, leading from the main roads into the well-kept gardens, are never forgotten by those who travel them. From many of these gardens, the magnificent Cabrillo bridge, spanning the great Cabrillo canyon, and costing $350,000, is visible. Well-paved roadways sweep from the highlands into this vast canyon at intervals, the full length of the park. The sequestered canyon roads finding their end at many of the most improved city streets.

In Balboa park, fields for all classes of outdoor amusement are provided, and here and there in the canyons and even upon the hills are constructed ponds and waterfalls.

San Diego’s climate and soil will grow anything. No better proof of this can be found than in the parks of the city. Trees and shrubs from Australia, New Zealand, South America, China and Japan flourish therein. Many of the growing things are strange to tourists or to the prospective or new resident, but he soon learns to know them by their names and to glory in their beauty. A list of the trees, shrubs and plants today growing in the great Balboa park, if printed here, would fill a solid column.

The botanical life of the park was greatly augmented because of the Exposition. Thousands of trees and plants never before planted on American soil were brought to San Diego and raised to perfection in the parks following their transplanting from the Exposition nurseries, Of the many varieties, only a few failed to "make good" away from their native environment. Among the most popular of the tropical trees are the acacias, eucalyptus, Araucarias, sterculias, Ficus, hymendars, avocados, sapotes, and over a million shrubs, palms, dracaenas, dasylerions, nolinas, bananas, strelitizias and agaves.

Varieties of roses number more than 7,000, most of which blossom the year around. There are also hundreds of thousands of flowering and budding plants and bulbs. In addition to this wonderful collection of "strangers," practically all of the old-fashioned plants, dear to the eye of the Easterner, are found in profusion in Balboa park.

Many of the smaller parks are of sufficient beauty and size to be the "whole thing" in less-favored communities. New Town park, situated only a few blocks from the center of the city, is one of the most popular and is filled daily with those who love the out-of-doors, which almost everybody in San Diego does. The City Plaza park, with its electrical fountain, in the center of the business district, is a genuine beauty spot, fresh in the minds of all tourists and a genuine joy to those who frequent the business portions of the city day by day.

La Jolla park is improved to some extent, and, at all times, attractive. Torrey Pines park is as yet in the rough, except for the roadways, but because of its wild state --- such pines being found nowhere else in the world --- it is considered by many to be the most alluring. This park covers 200 acres and is on the main highway from Los Angeles and the north. The frontage along the ocean is more than one mile. The pines have a rugged and wind-swept appearance, standing high upon the bluff above the surf, and are photographed annually by thousands. Placed inland, they grow to larger proportions, some of those in Balboa park being of great height and spreading beauty. Torrey Pines park is a favorite place of picnickers and fishermen, many fine catches of surf fished being reported at that point annually.

La Jolla park is of similar beauty. It is located about twenty-five miles from the city, overlooking the ocean. Just below is found the famous La Jolla cove, so popular with surf bathers. Off to the north is the celebrated biological station.

The conservatory and botanical building in Balboa park, a part of the Exposition, are permanent and are second to nothing of that character on the Pacific coast. Many of the plants in this building have never been seen before in the United States.

In addition to the many other attractions, a genuine "zoo" has been built up in Balboa park. It contains buffalo, deer, elk, birds of almost every description, lions, leopards, bears, monkeys and alligators.

The valuation of San Diego park lands and improvements is given as follows:

Balboa park, 1400 acres $4,735,000

Collier park, Point Loma 51,600

La Jolla park 44,000

Playground park 56,000

New Town park, F Street 108,800

Plaza, Broadway 450,000

Old Town park 6,300

Mission Hills park, 5 acres 9,400

Torrey Pines park, 369 acres 49,380

Union Heights park 9,100

$5,519,580

Municipal farm lands and equipment 794,680

Unimproved properties, 10 blocks and 75 lots 200,000

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 1:2-3. International Harvester Company presents Exposition building to city (Exhibit 33); includes about 100 citrus trees on grounds.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 1:1-3, 2:2. Model Ranch at Exposition proof of possibilities; C. L. Wilson managed Model Farm for two years; city plans to continue the farm in operation, by W. C Getty.

"When settlers realize that farming is as much a business as selling dry goods or groceries and they place it on the same basis --- and I mean buying and selling and producing --- people will more than ever realize that a good living and enough over for a comfortable savings account --- may be taken from five to ten acres of California land each year."

That is the statement of C. L. Wilson, who has for two years managed the model farm at the Panama-California International Exposition. And Wilson should know, for farming has been his business.

"Every man is not naturally a farmer and unless he knows the business --- for, I insist, it is a business --- before beginning, he will have to face some great disappointments, as have thousands who have tried the experiment on experience gained in an office building in some city.

"First of all a plot of land must be secured on which a supply of water for irrigation is sure from month to month and from year to year. Then he must have a knowledge of soils and for what production the land is best fitted. Many a failure has come from planting the wrong tree or plant in a soil which God meant to grow something else. One part of the land may be fitted for fruit trees; another, only a short distance away, may be found more productive for vegetables.

"System in farming is as important as system in business. A man must make up his mind the sort of farmer or rancher he is going to be before he selects his land. He must know whether he is going to go in for fruit trees or poultry or garden produce or all of them. And his land must be selected carefully for that which he intends using it. That’s common sense, isn’t it?

"A wholesale grocery house would naturally be located near the best shipping facilities. A ranch must be located near a good market, where transportation costs are fair, where there is a fair chance of an advance in the price of the property, where the supply of water is sure, where the land is fitted for whatever purpose it is intended.

"Many men make a complete failure of farming because they do not understand it. Every man feels that if he should lose his position in the city, he could make a good living from the land. This is not true. A man needs the same sort of an agricultural education to make the coil produce a living for him as a lawyer needs to successfully defends his clients in court.

"A large number of the failures are attributed to a lack of knowledge of farming, of markets, or location and to the fact that ranching is considered ‘small business.’ Many do not believe that much money is required. I would not advise anyone to make their home on a piece of land unless they have enough money to pay for it, to erect suitable buildings, and to wait several months for the first return. Reverses come to a rancher as well as those in other lines of business, and reverses mean loss in money. To one family may come illness, to another ill luck in another form. A man must protect himself against these emergencies. I do not mean by this that a large sum of money is necessary, but I do mean that there have been too many failures because of a lack of sufficient capital, and this discourages others. Failures are bad for the community and are bad for the State at large and we must have fewer of them.

"After being in charge of the model farm at the Exposition for two years, I have no hesitancy in saying that from seven acres of good California land a profit of from $2,000 to $2,500 a year can be taken by a man who understands his business."

The model farm has been such an interesting attraction at the Exposition in San Diego has been such a success from every standpoint that it is understood that the city park board will continue it as a lasting advertisement for Southern California. The seven southern counties under which the farm has operated during past two years will, it is understood, took it over to the San Diego park board soon after the closing of the Exposition.

A model farm, patterned after that at San Diego, is soon to be established in Los Angeles, it was announced recently.

(The table follows.)

Vegetables, berry and fruit crop for 1915. All deciduous fruit trees, berries and vines were planted March 10, 1913.

All citrus fruit trees were planting August 20, 1912.

(Refer to the newspaper for crop yields.)

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 1:6-8, 2:3. Great West shown at best says Exposition President G. A. Davidson reviewing past two years; was chairman of executive committee and vice-president before he became president

Now that the Panama-California International Exposition is about to close its gates, it seems fitting that we should pause and consider the benefits already accrued, or to accrue to San Diego and the Southwest from the Expositions which have been in continuous operation since the first day of January nineteen hundred and fifteen.

In the conception of our Exposition, in the year nineteen hundred and nine, certain definite results were anticipated --- certain direct benefits were expected to result to the advantage of the Southwest, in the holding at San Diego of this great enterprise. These expectations have been realized. In fact, more than realized.

The West has been seen at its best. The wonderful and vast possibilities of this great empire have been successfully exploited to the amazement and entertainment of our visitors. The West undoubtedly is appreciated today as it never has been before. What might be termed the artistic, the aesthetic side of the West --- has been presented to the visitor, and the West’s full appreciation of the cultured side of life has been ably shown. The Expositions have set standards in music, in art, in architecture, in landscape effects, and those elevated standards must and undoubtedly will have a beneficial effect east of the Rocky mountains, as well as setting high standards for ourselves, here at home.

The Expositions have been the objective point for many of our country’s prominent citizens and government officials. They have been the means of introducing the West to these men under most favorable circumstances. The knowledge that these visitors have obtained at first hand, of the resources and tremendous possibilities of the Southwest, will, without a question of a doubt, rebound to the lasting benefit of our district in its future development. Many of these men have deemed it a privilege to become conversant with Western conditions, concerning which they have previously known comparatively little.

Great interest has been exhibited by the Expositions in the development of the younger generation. Many special days have been devoted to child welfare work. The influence of this effort unquestionably is to be a factor in the upbuilding of the children of today --- the men and women of tomorrow.

Of special interest has been the musical side of the Expositions. Organizations and artists, famous throughout the musical world, have been heard in concerts and recitals. Our great out-of-door organ has been one of the outstanding features of the entire Exposition period, and the official organist, Dr. J. Humphrey Stewart, is deserving of the warmest commendation of Exposition visitors. Exposition musical reminiscences would never be complete without mention of the part taken therein by our beloved Madame Ernestine Schumann-Heink, who so generously gave of her time and energy for the entertainment of the people of the Southwest. The thanks of al our people are also extended to Miss Ellen Beach Yaw for her ever willingness to appear in recitals.

The influence of the type of architecture adopted and carried out in the construction of the Exposition buildings marks an epoch in Exposition architecture. Literally hundreds and perhaps thousands of our visitors have journeyed to view and study this phase of the Expositions. Plans of one structure on the grounds have, upon request, been sent broadcast over the country, and we have evidence wherein some of these plans have been utilized in the erection in widely scattered sections of the United States, if nor abroad, of buildings similar in design. This is but one of the many results that might be expected along this line.

The archaeological and anthropological exhibits which have been maintained throughout the two-year Exposition period are said to be the most complete exhibits of this character ever assembled, with the one exception of those maintained by the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, D. C. Due to this fact, San Diego’s Expositions have been the Mecca for scientists desiring to study the various units that make up these exhibits. The Expositions will be remembered in the scientific world for the efforts displayed in these departments of this international enterprise.

Many special days were held in honor of personages prominent in literary life and much effort has been expended by Exposition officials in the interests of the best in literature.

Rare art collections have been shown throughout the Exposition period, many of these collections being of great intrinsic value. Artists of great renown have been listed among the exhibitors.

So much for the artistic and scientific phases of the Exposition activities. Now, let us consider briefly the materialistic benefits resulting from the Expositions.

The term "the World’s Greatest Outdoor Advertiser" has been applied to our Expositions, and, in a sense, this tribute is deserved. They have been the media through which the attractions and recourses have been exploited of not only the Southwest, but also the United States and the foreign countries. Already permanent results are reported by the various countries, states and communities participating. Already have the maintenance of the comprehensive exhibits borne fruit in new and permanent settlers to those Western communities setting forth to homeseekers the advantages of their respective localities.

Between the foreign exhibitors of France, Holland, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Japan and Turkey and the people of this country has come a greater and more comprehensive understanding of the possibilities of our future trade relationships. A greater knowledge has been obtained by the people of the United States of the vast natural resources of our neighbor and friend to the north, the Dominion of Canada. The Canadian exhibit, with that of the Republic of France, formed the nucleus of a very remarkable foreign section. Due to the participation of two of our most valued territories --- Hawaii and Alaska, and our Far Eastern possession --- the Philippines --- we became acquainted with the latest progress of these new additions to the United States. We are also bound closer together, which augurs well for future commercial activity between these territories and the Southwest.

Credit is due every member of the Women’s Board of the two years, and, although it is impossible to mention all who have won the admiration of the directors, mention must be made of Mrs. Ivor N. Lawson, president of the 1915 board; Mrs. Uriel Sebree, president of the 1916 board; Miss Gertrude Gilbert, who, with the aid of her music committee, has been of inestimable value to the Exposition during the two years; Mrs. George McKenzie and her splendid social committee; Mrs. E. Thelen and her active house committee; and Miss Alice Lee with her hostess committee.

The city of Los Angeles, collectively and individually, has assisted not only by an appropriation of money, but in many other ways well known to every Exposition director. Men of Los Angeles have served faithfully and unselfishly as directors and mention must be made of the conscientious effort put forth by Senator Robert N. Bulla and J. O. Koepfli, the Los Angeles members of the executive committee. The wonderfully complete exhibit of the seven southern counties, as displayed in the Southern Counties exhibit at the Exposition, is typical of the advantages that are to be obtained by intelligent cooperation.

Recognition must be made at this time of the enthusiasm of one individual, responsible more than any other for the opening of the Exposition of January 1, 1915. This man, known for his untiring efforts, has endeared himself to the people of the Southwest. His name if Colonel D. C. Collier.

Frank J. Belcher, chairman of the 1915 executive and finance committee, rendered such valuable aid that any review of Exposition activities, no matter how brief, could not omit his name.

The time unselfishly devoted to Exposition activities by Messrs. George Burnham, Carl H .Heilbron and Carl I. Ferris has been of great assistance in the execution of Exposition buildings and the entertainment of guests.

One other name must be mentioned for his generosity in giving to the people of this community a permanent out-of-door organ and for furnishing the services, for the entire Exposition period, of the official organist. Our appreciation is extended to Mr. John D. Spreckels.

Of great pleasure to the members of the Exposition directorate during the two-year period has been the loyal support and hearty cooperation accorded the Exposition officials by the people of this community. For this manifestation of their approval of the work undertaken and carried out, the directors express their sincere thanks to the people of San Diego and vicinity. This splendid support and cooperation has achieved a record in Exposition history never before accomplished --- the continuous operation of an Exposition for two full years and a day.

The people of San Diego should be commended for their courage in the building or our Exposition and the wonderful spirit always manifested in supporting the enterprise during its operation.

The building of this great undertaking in the southwest corner of the United States is typical of the character of the people making up the community in which it has been built.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 1:5-6. B. W. Lee, on Exposition payroll from first to last; assistant auditor during construction period and in charge of income from exhibits, concessions and admissions in 1915 and 1916.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 2:1-2. Exposition will pass into history tonight.

San Diego’s "Exposition Beautiful," adjudged by critics from every point of the compass as more superb in every detail than all that had gone before or may come after, will pass into history today.

But, unlike all other attractions of similar character, the end is not yet --- the best is still to come. In future years the great Exposition grounds will remain practically intact, forming, as a feature of the vast Balboa Park, a resort unequaled in any of the world’s most famous playgrounds.

Comparatively few of the splendid buildings will be destroyed. Many of them have been built of solid concrete --- others, well kept year by year, will endure until the children of today have found their way well into middle life. A veritable Enchanted City, as a result of the Exposition, will open wide its gates to every San Diego visitor and to the citizenry for a time at present beyond estimate.

Many of the exhibits will be gone, but in their place will be installed things of permanency. The Exposition with its foliage, its marvelous plazas and prados, its incomparable courtyards, its bridges and towers and gardens will remain the same. And to all who may come there will be offered, in addition to the superb exterior effects, exhibits forming a museum of which even the most pretentious European city might well be proud.

The Exposition has given to San Diego a resort beyond the dreams of the builders of ancient Spain. Shattering all records for period of operation, meeting every expense with "something to the good," the Exposition, in passing, is but bringing things into closer touch with the people. A small admission fee will be charged during the first three months of 1917, while the exhibits of nations and of men are being removed. Thereafter the great gates will be thrown wide to all who may journey there --- a place of recreation and joyous freedom for the men and women and an all too busy world.

The great Plaza de Panama will be held intact. The Cabrillo bridge, the California building and others of the great structures will escape the wrecker’s mallet. In fact, under present plans, on a few of the buildings are to go. The Isthmus structures soon will be cleared. The San Joaquin Valley building will come down, the Canadian building and the Kern County building will be leveled. But upon the ground of these minor structures, when the debris is cleared away, will arise sunken gardens, the equal in beauty of anything in the park. One year hence, it is promised, the Exposition grounds will be even more of a delight than they are today. Crowds in the grounds, it is predicted, will exceed at times those of "Exposition Days."

Presenting one of the greatest out-of-door attractions in the world today, the great Spreckels organ, built to last for many years, will be daily in operation. Band concerts and military drills, upon the famous Plaza de Panama, will be regular features. Many local events will be staged in the grounds day by day. Art exhibits, science exhibits, pioneer plays, government exhibits and many of the most interesting features of the Exposition will remain untouched. These will be added to from time to time.

Under present plans a 25-cent admission fee will be charged after January 1 for a limited time. This is to be during the "clean-up" period. After that the park board will favor a 10-cent rate. Later it is probable that the grounds will be free to all. If the Exposition officials decide that a 10-cent rate will carry them through the clean-up period during January, February and March, the plan of charging 25 cents may be abandoned at once and the lower charge put into effect.

Balboa Park stands today, with its Exposition buildings, as a resort second to none throughout the land. Further improvements are to follow. A majority of expositions have resulted in little, as regards permanent beautification, to their builders. San Diego, to the contrary, is left, through its vast enterprise, what may be well termed a perpetual exposition --- an attraction descending to generations.

Those who have failed to visit the Exposition still have that treat in store, practically as it always was. They will find it awaiting them in their journey to the Pacific coast --- to the Harbor of the Sun.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 2:2. United States gun crews to bombard Fair.

Four three-inch field pieces, manned by gun crews from the cruisers San Diego, Pueblo, Chattanooga and Albany, will be used in the bombardment of the Twenty-first Infantry trenches during the battle at the Exposition today. The guns will be employed in making a "barrage" fire for the Second Battalion of the Twenty-first Infantry, which will storm the trenches of the First Battalion.

A battalion of bluejackets and marines from the armored cruiser San Diego will participate in the military and naval parade this morning. The bluejackets from other warships in the harbor will not be in the line of march. The San Diego battalion will be commanded by Lieut. W. W. Bradley.

Admiral Caperton announced yesterday that the flagship band will give two concerts at the Exposition today, one in the afternoon and the other this evening.

The cruiser Raleigh, flagship of Rear Admiral Fullam, will hold a full power speed run off the heads Thursday, returning to the harbor immediately after the tests are completed.

The cruiser Albany will weigh anchor and proceed to Bremerton tomorrow.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 2:3. Day fireworks to feature program arranged for young America.

Joy will outweigh sorrow in the celebration at the Exposition grounds today and tonight when San Diego and thousands of visitors to the city say "Farewell" to the Panama-California International Exposition. San Diego, in its deep appreciation of the Exposition, is not backward looking and, therefore, considers the close of the Exposition a matter of justification as a forerunner of the great things to be accomplished in the future.

A big program of entertainment has been prepared for today and tonight, including a sham battle, army and navy parade, reception, day and night fireworks, singing by Madame Ernestine Schumann-Heink, dinner at the Cristobal in honor of President Davidson, open house at the Southern Counties building and music by three bands.

The sham battle this afternoon at 2 o’clock will be the most spectacular of the day’s programs and will include an engagement between the First and Second battalions of the Twenty-first Regiment, U. S. Infantry. Major William Brooke will command the attacking forces, which will march on the Exposition grounds promptly at 2 o’clock; Colonel Joseph P. O’Neil and his Second Battalion will defend the Exposition grounds and an intricate system of trenches has been prepared to stand off the invaders. Land mines, barbed wire entanglements and heavy artillery will be used in a spectacular manner, so that the great crowd will have a repetition of the wonderful battle maneuvers held on the Exposition grounds, December 9.

Day fireworks will be shown for the children at 4 o’clock on the aviation field and the set pieces at midnight tonight will be the most elaborate every displayed in San Diego. This gigantic display has been placed on top of the Organ Pavilion and after the lights have been turned out at midnight will present San Diego’s message to the future in a beautiful motion picture etched with fire. The climax will come when great bombs explode above the set piece, releasing the flags of all nations, while the three bands join in playing "The Star Spangled Banner."

A few minutes before Madame Schumann-Heink sings "Auld Lang Syne" at the formal ceremonies at the organ, which will begin at 11:30 o’clock, the world-famous diva will be presented with a jeweled medal by President G. A. Davidson on behalf of Exposition directors. The jewels of the setting are taken from San Diego county mines and the inscription that has been engraved reads: "To our Beloved Schumann-Heink, from the San Diego Exposition, 1916-1916."

The blowing of "taps" by buglers on the balconies of the Plaza de Panama will be the signal for Schumann-Heink’s final song.

Those who will speak at the formal ceremony will be Lieut. Gov. William D. Stephens; Mayor James Rolph, Jr., of San Francisco; Mayor William T. Woodman, of Los Angeles; R. P. Hale, representing the Panama-Pacific International Exposition; President G. A. Davidson; John S. Mitchell, representing the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce; and D. C. Collier.

The army and navy band will start downtown at 10 o’clock this morning and is scheduled to arrive on the Exposition grounds at 10:35 o’clock, where it will be reviewed by President Davidson, army and navy officials, distinguished guests and directors of the Exposition. All buildings on the grounds will be open until 10 o’clock tonight to add to the gaiety of the program and provide diversions for the great crowds expected to be on hand for the official closing of San Diego’s great two-year Exposition.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 2:5-7. Outdoor Organ has awakened taste of public for best in music and harmony.

The Spreckels outdoor organ, costing with its pavilion and peristyles approximately $125,000, was presented to the people of the city of San Diego by John D. and Adolph B. Spreckels, the deed of gift reposing in the park commission, for the perpetual use and benefit of the people of San Diego. The organ was dedicated December 31, 1914. It is located on the Plaza de los Estados of the Panama-California International Exposition in Balboa Park. The Exposition closed formally last night, but the organ, with its pavilion, will remain to furnish music for years to come to San Diegans and their guests. By the terms of the deed of gift, no admission fee may ever be charged to any organ recital, and although a money fee has been exacted for various attractions which have been given at the Organ Pavilion, no one has ever had to pay a cent to hear an organ recital.

. . . .

The organ was constructed by the Austen Organ Company of Hartford, Conn. Dr. Humphrey J. Stewart, who has been the official organists all the time the organ has been in operation and will act in the same capacity for at least another years, learned his profession under some of the greatest English organists, having played that instrument since he was 14 years of age. For many years he was organist of St. Dominick’s Church in San Francisco.

So far as is known, more recitals have been given at the Spreckels organ in the last two years than upon any other organ in the world in a similar period. Dr. Stewart was prevented from giving recitals only 18 times in the past 365 days. With eight selections to each recital, this gives a total of !,768 compositions played upon the organ during 1916, and during 1915 there were 2,864 compositions played, making a grand total of 5,632 compositions. Ten times during 1916, rain prevented the recitals and eight times they were not given because other attractions were being presented at the Organ Pavilion at the recital hour.

During the last year the following guest organists gave recitals at the Spreckels organ: Uda Waldrop, San Francisco (eight recitals); Albert Conant, San Diego (three recitals); Walter E. Hartley, Pomona College, Claremont, Cal. (two recitals); Royal A. Brown, San Diego (three recitals); Arthur Blakely, Los Angeles; W. W. Carruth, Oakland (two recitals); Warren D. Aller, San Jose (seven recitals); Walter Handel Tworley, San Francisco (twelve recitals); John Doane, Chicago (three recitals); Harold Geer, Santa Rosa; Dr. William C. Carr, New York City.

Among the artists who appeared during 1916 as soloists at organ recitals or in whose concerts the organ was played were:

Madame Ernestine Schumann-Heink, contralto; Madame Ellen Beach Yaw, soprano; Madame Bernice Pasquali, soprano; Henri La Bonte, tenor; Edwin House, baritone; George Van Surdam, tenor; Signor and Signora Picci, tenor and soprano; Signor and Signora Giovacchini, tenor and soprano; Mae Buckler Stevenson, soprano. In connection with the State Music Teachers’ Association, one session of which was held at the organ, soloists were: Royal A. Brown, organist; W. A. Carruth, organist; Mina Gorgianna Strauss, contralto; Homer Henley, baritone; Miss Constance Balfour, soprano; and Henri de la Platte, basso.

Practically ever local San Diego singer of prominence has taken part in the recitals as soloist.

(More statistics given of number of composers (213) and number of their compositions played during the year.)

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, 2:8. Love of music is characteristic of San Diego people; noted artists perform during past years before crowds of appreciative listeners, by W. W. B. Seymour.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Edition, 3:1-6, 5:1-4. Exposition’s duration, charm to long remain unique among world’s amusement enterprises, by Guy R. Kinsley, Director of Publicity, Panama-California International Exposition.

Father Time, countless centuries young, took a peep at his wrist watch early this morning, and ran his attenuated finger through his Doomsday Book, and opened the pages of the Index at "E." His shrewd old eye scanned the page and noted with satisfaction the red lines drawn through every entry. Suddenly he reached for his scythe, knocking over the latest wrinkle in hour glasses that had been ordered returned to the makers, and shouted to his secretary, aroused by the racket:

"Is that San Diego Exposition still alive. That little beauty will get me yet. Twenty-four long months it has held one and instead of getting weaker, by Jove, it gains strength every day. I’ve tried wars, floods, elections, slides in the canal and even false gossip, but it’s no use. Get me a complete report quick," and as the lieutenant hurried out a half-dozen new gray hairs appeared in the old man’s beard.

As he paced back and forth in the room, watching the stock ticker to see how his corner on hours, minutes and seconds was keeping up the price of time, his mind ran over the history of other expositions. The San Francisco affair gave him a scare when it lasted nine and a half months and closed with such a mighty rally that he feared Fate, who gave him his job for life, had handed him that hated token of mortals, the "double cross."

He recalled that back in 1876 the Philadelphia Centennial has set the style for expositions with a length of six months, which was burning the candle of summer at both ends. In 1885 the World’s Cotton Centennial Exposition was held in New Orleans and, although favored by climate, six months was considered enough. In 1893 the great Chicago Columbian Exposition endured six months and required twenty years to wind up its affairs. The California Midwinter Exposition at San Francisco in 1894 continued five and a third months. In 1898 the Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha closed in six months; the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo was over in six months; the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis was satisfied in seven months; the Lewis and Clark Exposition at Portland lasted only four and a half months; the Tercentennial Exposition at Jamestown in 1907, closed in seven months; and the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition at Seattle in 1909, found four and a half months entirely sufficient.

"Father, its’ over at midnight tonight," interrupted the lieutenant from the doorway with a cry of joy. Father Time sat down, and slowly drew a red line through the entry "Panama-California International Exposition," as he wrote, "twenty-four months ad a day," at the end of the line he smiled broadly, shook his head, and sighed: "SOME SHOW!"

The world agrees. The smallest city that ever attempted a world exposition has beaten them all. The Panama-California International Exposition has been recorded as the most beautiful --- so judged by men and women capable of passing critical judgment. To be a champion, whether ward of world, and know the joy of success in anything, from marbles to millions, is a sensation never traded, but to win, when every friend calls you foolish, heaps ice-cold gloom on your plans, predicts sudden and overwhelming failure; quotes history, scripture and weather reports; and whispers, "I told you so" every time a black cloud hovered over --- well, San Diego knows that feeling.

In December 1915, President G. A. Davidson and members of the executive committee and board of directors chosen for the 1916 organization visited the San Francisco Exposition to get the one feature needed to make San Diego’s Exposition complete and well-rounded. That was exhibits. When Colonel William Hutchinson, Canadian Exposition commissioner, consented to move his display to San Diego, the Southern California enterprise was assured the most wonderful display ever made by any state or nation anywhere.

As an added feather in the cap of the City by the Silver Gate, it can be said that Colonel Hutchinson has pronounced the Canadian display in San Diego superior in many ways to that in San Francisco, and before the close of the year believed the results obtained by Canada through the exhibit were equally as good as in the northern city.

The French exhibit, housed in the Palace of the Legion of Honor at San Francisco, was another wonderful asset to come to San Diego. Because of the historical value of the collection owned by the French government this exhibition was housed in the California building, which is fireproof and capable of giving protection of every kind to the display. Another feature for the first few months of the new year was the famous Luxembourg art collection in the Fine Arts building. Italy, Germany, Austria, Russia, Spain, the Philippine Islands, Alaska, the Netherlands and Turkey were among the exhibitors that accepted the invitation tendered by San Diego Exposition officials.

Another addition to the 1916 Exposition was the wonderful growth of the shrubbery and foliage which intensified the beauty of the setting. The Isthmus was reorganized with many new shows, adding one attraction which permitted us to day it was "the first fur-line amusement street in the world." This free zoo, in charge of Superintendent F. G. Kaufman, has proved one of the most interesting features of the Exposition and was a source of constant entertainment and education for adults as well as children.

Before the formal opening, Tommasino’s Italian Band had been engaged for the year through negotiations with Louis Gasdia, manager of the band. This musical organization proved to be one of the finest heard in the West, and, without exception, the best band that ever played at the Exposition. Tommasino came direct from his engagement at Atlantic City, where he had been exceedingly popular. Although a band was not maintained at the Exposition’s expense more than the first four months of 1915, Tommasino’s band was kept from the opening day in 1916 until the final ceremony of closing tonight.

The Spanish dancers and singers of the first few months of 1915 were included in the 1916 program and La Belle Sevilla was chosen leader of this musical organization, which added wonderfully to the daily programs of the year. These entertainers made good friends of all visitors, and their pleasant appearance, good music and dancing, working in absolute harmony, proved the wisdom of the directors in maintaining this feature of the 1916 Exposition.

The Dedication Day attendance was more than 45,000, which was 15,000 greater than the banner day of 1915, which had a total attendance of 30,000. The Fourth of July exceeded even this 1916 record by several hundred. On the night of July 5 the attendance of 1916 had been 28,000 greater than for the same period in 1915. The months of June, July, August, September and December proved the best, financially of the year.

One of the big features of March was the fifty-mile automobile race on the Isthmus in which Bob Burman, Barney Oldfield, Cliff Durant and Teddy Tetzlaf completed. Bob Burman, who won the trophy cup and prize money, was killed in his next race at Corona. His mechanic, Erich Schrader, who rode with him in the Exposition race, was killed also, and, as he was removed to the ambulance after the accident, he muttered until he died, "Not so fast, Bob, not so fast," which told pathetically the wild reason Burman long ago was given the sobriquet of "Wild Bob."

Two features stood out in the events of May, the fist being the production of "As You Like It" by the students of the high school, and the other, Pied Piper Day, when Henry Collins of Coronado impersonated the Pied Piper and was host to 13,000 children, who trooped across the Puente Cabrillo and spent a wonderful day on the grounds.

In June, Tyrone Power, with Sarah Truax and a strong company, presented "The Servant in the House." The Ad Club offered a day filled with entertainment features, joining with Imperial Valley and Alameda County. "Admetus" as produced by the pupils of the Normal School, under the direction of Irving J. Outcalt and this production ranked with the finest ever presented in San Diego. In July, Ellen Beech Yaw gave her first 1916 concert. Madame Pasquali sang at the organ, Michael Giovacchini, baritone, gave an attractive concert, and the Preparedness Parade of July 4 provided the most interesting feature of the sort held during the year.

Kite Day, on August 2, was a successful kid day, followed by a Ruth St. Denis pageant, August 5. The biggest athletic events ever held in Southern California were contested August 18 and 19 when the Amateur Athletic Union champion boxing matches and Far Western Amateur Athletic Union track and field meet were held in the high school stadium.

Charles Warren Fairbanks was entertained, October 3, and spoke at the Organ Pavilion, October 4. J. Hamilton Lewis added to the political aspect of the Exposition calendar and spoke t a great crowd in the War of the Worlds building. Senator Phelan was honored October 13 and was the principal speaker of the day. Housewives’ Day, Mabel Normand Peace Day, Allen L. Benson Day, and Los Angeles County and Hollywood Day were prominent during the latter part of the month.

Joe Boquel, considered by many the greatest trick aviator, opened his engagement at the Exposition, August 28. One week later, after he had startled San Diegans by his wonderful gyrations and had won the unqualified admiration, he drove his aeroplane into the ground, causing his death just five minutes before he was to have been awarded an Exposition gold medal by President G. A. Davidson in recognition of his wonderful feats in the air. Boquel was doing his famous corkscrew at the time and, instead of falling, his machine was actually speeding toward the earth in graceful swings with the engine running at full speed.

Boquel was given a military funeral, participated in by soldiers of the Twenty-first Regiment, U. S. Infantry and members of the aviation corps at North Island. The medal, which was to have been given to the great flier, was sent to the widow in San Francisco.

In November, Hawaii Day, California Welcome Day, the big Cat Show, November 21, 22 and 23, Mother Goose Day¸ November 25, and Thanksgiving Services, November 30, were the most important. A feature of California Welcome Day was the bird-whistling contest of National City, under the direction of Miss Elizabeth M. Worthley. The cat show was managed by Mrs. A. E. Banks, and took its place as one of the finest shows ever held in the West. Mother Goose Day was a wonderful day for the children and grownups. The exercises were in charge of Miss Cornelia Strobhar and Miss Hulda Hanker, two San Diego young women who drilled the children and superintended every detail of the program. The Treble Clef chorus gave a concert at the Organ Pavilion, November 19, and La Rue Hewes, San Diego tenor, delighted a big crowd, November 25. Dr. Charles Edward Locke delivered the Thanksgiving sermon and Ellen Beech Yaw was soloist in the greatest out-of-door Thanksgiving service ever held in the United States.

During the final month of December many big events were held. The Children’s Fair, December 1, 2 and 3, on the Isthmus, brought together more than 7,000 exhibits showing the wonderful creative work of the children and providing an attraction of great merit for all visitors. The battle maneuvers, Saturday December 9, were considered by many better than any ever given in Southern California. The work of the troops and the aviators showed modern methods of warfare "at its worst." Colonel Joseph P. O’Neil was in charge of the Twenty-first Regiment, U. S. Infantry, which defended the Exposition grounds. The sailors were led by Lieutenant W. W. Bradley, Jr. and the marines were in charge of Captain Earl C. Long. The battles were fought in the afternoon and evening and brought the greatest battery of motion picture cameras ever seen on the grounds. Practically every Western company was represented and all benefited by the wonderful mimic engagement.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 4:1. EDITORIAL: The Old Year and the New.

The year that has just closed has been for San Diego marked by achievement and fair promise for the future. The great Exposition has had a second year of brilliant success and will be formally closed today after affording gratification to countless throngs during a period of twenty-four months --- a record that has no parallel in the United States. Regret that the great Fair comes to an end is tempered, however, by the knowledge that many of its most pleasing features will be preserved to add to the attractions of Balboa park, so that the visitor to San Diego this year and for years to come will be able to form a very clear idea about the great Exposition of 1916 and 1916 that aroused the admiration of all who gazed upon its manifold beauties during those two memorable years.

But the Exposition just closing has been only one of San Diego’s achievements during the past twelve months. The city has had substantial growth. Building operations, which were interrupted here, as elsewhere, during the previous period of depression, were resumed during 1916, and the grand total of new construction, begun or completed, during the year, makes an impressive showing of the city’s growth. New industries, too, have been established and have brought the payrolls that mean so much in building up a locality. And more are promised in the future. Generally speaking, too, business has been good. San Diego is having its share of the prosperity that has come to the country during the past year or two. Its farming district has been enjoying good crops and remunerative prices. On the whole, the year just ended has been a prosperous one.

The outlook on this New Year’s day is, perhaps, brighter than at the beginning of any previous year. One of its most encouraging features is that the early completion of the San Diego and Arizona Railway is now absolutely assured. Very recently the welcome announcement was made that the final arrangements for completing the line had been effected and that the great Southern Pacific Company had joined hands as a partner for finishing the road to Colorado. Since that time a large building contract has been awarded, and there is every reason to expect that the last gap of construction will be filled in the near future. In fact, as matters stand, there is every reason to believe that the road will be in operation long before the close of the present year. It ought to be unnecessary to suggest what this line will mean for San Diego. It will have the effect of making this city, with its superb harbor, the commercial port of the great Pacific Southwest. San Diego has waited long for this consummation. That it is now close at hand is clearly revealed in the dawn of 1917.

Readers of this Annual, too, will find on this New Year’s day other developments of great importance are in sight. The war and navy departments are preparing to avail themselves of this port. A great marine base, aviation station, and the increased use of the harbor for naval purposes are among the projects to be carried out in the near future. Truly, the year 1917 begins most auspiciously for this city.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 4:2-3. Exposition Rose Garden recalls fond memories.

Among the legion of delightful memories of the Exposition which thousands of visitors have carried away, none has been more prominent than the recollection of the Potpourri rose garden back of the Organ Pavilion, conducted by Mrs. Jessie C. Knox.

Ample visual evidence of this is found in the guest book which Mrs. Knox keeps and in the letters from all parts of the world which she has received in the last two years.

When Mrs. Knox nearly three years ago broached the idea of a rose garden to the Exposition authorities, her argument was based on the fitness of the establishment of such a "Garden of Hospitality" in a land which has been noted for its largesse of roses, where roses cluster around every home. The Exposition quickly saw the logic of establishing a place where visitors from localities in which flowers are luxuries could gather roses with a free hand, and where moments of rest under rose-draped pergolas and strolls through rose-lined walks should become priceless memories in after years. But the Exposition was hard pressed for funds and could not afford the $10,000 which the plan demanded.

Nevertheless, the rose garden was established, more modesty than first planned, contributions being made by friends and flower lovers from all parts of the Union.

In many ways this humble acre of stony ground has reached out across space and carried to hundreds of persons delightful and unexpected associations. Anne Morgan heard of it and ordered some of the flowers and vases. "We enjoyed the rose garden more than any other part of the Exposition," wrote Dr. Starr of Columbia University. "To us the idea of a rose garden for visitors and the potpourri of California flowers to take to one’s home is the most beautiful thing we ever heard of," wrote A. D. Nordren from faraway Stockholm. Elmer Ellsworth Gornsey, a noted mural artist, and his wife made a special trip to the Exposition to revisit the garden, and Mrs. Cleveland Preston, widow of President Cleveland, having heard of the garden through the daughter of Dr. Erdmann, president of Princeton University, has written that she hopes to visit it.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 4. City’s artistic life of high development and steady growth, by Sydney L. Snow.

(Excerpts)

For the last two years most of the art life of the city has been centered about the Exposition, and the beautiful grounds and buildings still are to be the hub of the cultural activities of San Diego. Housing of the many societies, representing art, music archaeology, history, botany and other sciences already affiliated with the museum project at the Exposition, is being considered.

Famous artists have visited the city during the year. Mr. and Mrs. Colin Campbell Cooper, whose work has been them loved in more than one nation, gave an exhibit at the Exposition.

Robert Henri has been resting at La Jolla during the last summer. Maurice Braun --- San Diego’s own artist, who has transcribed the colors, the atmosphere of the hills and sea of California so faithfully --- has accomplished much that is beautiful during the last year, and now has a collection traveling on a circuit of galleries in the big cities of America.

In a letter to Henry Lord Gay, president of the San Diego Art Guild, Colin Campbell Cooper said he would lose no opportunity to recommend San Diego as a place of inspiration to artists, with a climate most suitable to their work. In addition, he said:

"I was glad to hear before we left San Diego that the committee on the preservation of buildings at the Exposition has decided to keep the art gallery as a permanent institution. This seems to be a very wise plan and undoubtedly will be of benefit to the city. If, as you hoped, the other buildings are to be used for the kindred arts and sciences and for museums in which to install various important collections, in many respects this continued permanent Exposition will be better than the one which is to close December 1.

"I should think that much could be done to arouse a general interest in art if an art association were formed. An art association would have a wide field of influence than the Guild (of which the Guild, of course, would be a part), because it would draw into it those who, though not trained in any of the arts, have a great interest in them, and are oftentimes excellent workers."

. . . .

Naturally the most noteworthy exhibits shown during the year have been those shown at the fine arts gallery at the exposition. Of these, the Luxembourg collection and the Holland collection were the most interesting. Exhibits by American painters, by California painters, by San Diego painters, and by different modern schools were held.

. . . .

Particular praise should be given to the work of Miss Alice Klauber, chairman of art of the women’s board at the Exposition, whose efforts to bring interesting things to San Diego have been untiring. The Art Guild has held many delightful exhibitions of work of its members during the year.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 4:4-5. Edgar L. Hewett: Museum of San Diego is successor of Exposition; will perpetuate its work; "established for the purpose of cooperating with the city through its park commission and with correlated societies in making the benefits of the Exposition perpetual. The park buildings and the scientific collections are the permanent possession of the people. By developing a great cultural and recreational center the Exposition has made a permanently productive investment. The museum is planned to meet the high standard of the Exposition and the park, and to develop with the future growth of the city of San Diego. Nothing less would be acceptable to the people."

Board of Directors of the 1915 Exposition transferred the scientific collections acquired with the assistance of Archaeological Institute of America and Smithsonian Institution to San Diego Museum.

Park Commission granted quarters to Museum in California Quadrangle, Administration Building, Science of Man and Industrial Art Buildings. Temporary buildings will be fire-proofed, rewired, and concrete foundations laid when funds permit

Museums to be maintained by membership fees and paid admissions on certain days of the week.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 4:1-4. Faithful efforts and skill of women members important aid to directors of great Exposition, by Mrs. Uriel Sebree, President, Women’s Official Board of the Exposition.

Few, if any, of the many thousands who have visited the San Diego Exposition have the faintest idea of the stormy seas, the dangerous shoals, this beautiful craft has crossed. And it seems mere justice that more light be thrown on the part the women have played in bringing her safely into port than can be given in the statistical form of an annual report, and, in this case, is especially necessary because at the beginning their assistance was regarded as, more or less, the last straw to the heavy burden.

When the beautiful buildings were finished and the organizing and conducting of the Exposition has to be considered, the directors realized that they faced a Herculean task --- that only the most skillful financing could avert disaster. To the minds of most men, women and extravagance are indissoluble ideas; consequently, when a women’s department was proposed, resignation took the chair, protest had the floor. "Women’s board!" --- a polite synonym for a Squabble Court, where the poor dears would meet, discuss, weep, even fight with umbrellas for weapons, and then proceed to sulks and hysterics --- when the Lords of Creation refused to regard their vaporings as having serious import. But one --- and he had taken as his life partner a woman who has been the inspiration of most of the delightful happenings at the Exposition, and has, more than any other factor, by her unselfish devotion to its interests, contributed to its success --- approved.

So, the Women’s Board was organized. President Davidson has given two years’ consideration to the personnel, and no more fortuitous choice could have been made than that of Mrs. Ivor N. Lawson for president; the other members of the board consisting of Mrs. Uriel Sebree, first vice president; Mrs. A. E. Frost, second vice president; Mrs. T. B. Wright, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Earl Garrettson, recording secretary; Mrs. Alice Halliday, treasurer; Mrs. George McKenzie, entertainment; Miss Alice Klauber, furnishings; Miss Gertrude Gilbert, music; Miss Daisy Barteau, organized labor; Mrs. B. G. Saville, Federated Societies; Mrs. A. E. Horton, Mrs. J. G. Burne, Mrs. Clark W. McKee, San Diego county representative of the Womens’ Auxiliary of Southern California Panama Exposition Commission; Mrs. A. S. Bridges, Mrs. E. Thelen, Mrs. Frank Von Teamar, Mrs. Ernest E. White, Miss Gertrude Longenecker, education, showed further his excellent judgment.

The businesslike way in which the women went to work; the skill shown in organizing committees; the many different branches of the work of the Exposition they undertook, dissipated at the outset most of the fears of the directors. Still, with the immense financial burden facing them, the deeply-rooted idea of women as "spenders," it is not to be wondered at that the men preached economy first, last, all the time, and entrusted to the women’s bands an incredibly small sum in the light of what they accomplished.

So, having little to spend and taking pattern from the children of Israel, they decided to borrow when they could not buy. They borrowed the beautiful collection of Beauregard’s pictures from Mr. Springer, and, taking them as the keynote, the furnishing committee, composed of Miss Alice Klauber, Mrs. Ivor N. Lawson, Miss Alice Halliday, Mrs. George McKensie, Mrs. Julius Wangenheim and Mrs. Ernest White made the women’s reception room the wonder and delight of the thousands of visitors who have passed its hospitable doors. They borrowed the beautiful Chines hangings from Mr. Quon Mane.

They borrowed a Kenyon portable house for a day nursery for the babies --- because the Exposition, being planned by mere men, had not taken these small but much-in-evidence persons into account; and it was only when employees, guards, even marines, were almost shanghaied for nursemaids that the management found a place for the house --- but not money.

Nothing but hypnotism can account for the way in which Miss Gertrude Gilbert inveigled the greatest musical talent in the world into giving its services free or at a minimum cost, nor words can ever express how generously not only the musical, but the artistic talent of all sorts in San Diego gave of their best. The art department, under the direction of Miss Alice Klauber, was considered by critics of this country and abroad as exceptionally fine. To some, at first, it appeared as if did to one visitor who remarked to her friend, "Oh, let’s go on, I never did care for the beginner’s work."

At the end of the year one realized that the exhibit has given us the Twentieth century point of view and a liberal education in modern art. And in years to come some mothers will realize what a debt of gratitude they owe to Mrs. Templeton Johnson for her part in getting the wonderful child welfare exhibit --- certainly a source of vital educational value. The women’s rest room was another unique feature of the Exposition and furnished rest and repair for tired bodies.

Recognizing the fact that the number of exhibits was small, the quality was exceptional. The women decided to combine with the Spanish architecture the old true hospitality of California ranch life for which the Golden State was so famous, and make that the feature of our exhibition. Here again was Economy lashed to the mast and Mrs. McKenzie entertained anywhere from five to 500 with dainty afternoon teas, at a cost that would make the authors of articles on how to feed a family of six on five cents (or thereabouts) a day feel they were inculcating ideas of reckless extravagance.

The day nursery goes on record as having run for eight months at no expense to the Exposition, with never an accident nor a case of disease contracted, and having cared for over 900 children. Books and literature were loaned or given by the city’s libraries and publishing houses furnished reading for the rest room; and here two women, selected by the Hostess committee, were in constant attendance to receive visitors and given information of all sorts concerning the Exposition. Indeed, so great became their reputation for universal knowledge that when one of the guards was asked where is the building that shows "The Fall of Man" (meaning the Science of Man), he answered: "I don’t know, but I think you can find out about it from the Women’s Board."

When it was decided to continue the Exposition for another year, so great had been the success of the Women’s Board and so equally generous were the directors and other members of the management in admitting the mistake in the estimate of the value of their assistance, that the women no longer had to fight for recognition, but were cordially accepted as coworkers.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 4:5-7. Montana brand of hospitality delight of numerous guests, by Mrs. H. E. Cowles, in charge of Montana Building.

I have tried in person and in the atmosphere of the building to exhibit something of the spirit of Montana hospitality. I have wanted our visitors to know, in some measure, the hearts of our people. I have desired earnestly to leave such an impression upon the mind of everyone entering our door, that the very name of Montana would always recall a happy association. We feel that we have not failed in this, because we have had many expressions of appreciation.

Most of our guests enjoyed the open fire, the flowers, the music and the general homelike atmosphere of our reception room. Often would one drop into a chair with the exclamation, "Well, this is a place where I would like to say --- it seems homelike!" Many came to us tired, having made the rounds of the Exposition. It was a joy to supply these with a comfortable couch or an easy chair.

Then, as to my further duties as hostess and exhibitor, I find that a large number of our visitors are merely sightseers. Among these guests, however, were many who has some special interest; many looking for a place to spend a summer vacation. I spoke with pride of our National Glacier park --- where I passed many summers --- as one of the rarest spots on earth. I told them of its many glaciers, of its marvelously beautiful lakes, such as McDonald and St. Mary, of its waterfalls, of its rollicking streams, its forests, high mountain peaks, its deliciously bracing air, its pure ice cold water from the base of the glacier, and of the opportunities it affords for quiet rest as well as health-giving exercise.

Frequently guests asked of the mineral resources of our state. To those I spoke of Butte, the richest hill in the world, of its thriving prosperity, its employment of 13,000 miners at the highest wages paid to that class of labor in the world, of its output of $50,000,000 worth of copper in 1915, and of its revolutionizing the treatment of zinc ores by electric process, recently introduced by the Hon. W. A. Clark.

As closely allied to the mining industry, I spoke of the sources of motive power in our state, especially of electricity.

And, last, there were the homeseekers, who come to us and inquire about government and other lands. Many of these I have directed to the vast stretch of country lying between the Rocky Mountains and the Dakotas, and between Alberta and the Missouri River.

While engaged in speaking thus the praises of our great Northwest, I have not been unmindful of the attractions of Southern California --- especially of San Diego. Many came to use seeking a winter climate, or desiring to retire from business. To each I recommended most warmly the climate and social life of San Diego.

In this account of my work, I have had constantly in mind the park taken by my faithful and efficient assistant, W. W. Parrott. Whatever has been accomplished is largely due to his cooperation. I would like also to express my deep appreciation of the unfailing courtesy shown me by the management of the Exposition.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 4:7-8. Special events of year well arranged.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, 6:1-8. Picture of fire station at Exposition

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section, 7:1. List of distinguished visitors in 1915 and 1916.

The list of distinguished visitors at the Exposition during 1916 is not as great as for the first year because of the double drawing power of the two Expositions. A few of those who have had a part in Exposition programs during the last twelve-months are: Count del Valle de Salazar and Countess del Valle de Salazar; Governor Hiram Johnson, Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Kane, Edward Rainey, Walter Damrosch, Carrie Jacobs Bond, Mrs. H. H. A. Beach, Tyrone Power, Madame Ellen Beach Yaw, Madame Pasquali, Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn, Sarah Bard Field, Charles Evans Hughes, Mrs. Josiah Evans Cowles; William Kettner, Dr. William C. Carl, Charles Warren Fairbanks, James Hamilton Lewis, Senator James D. Phelan, Allan L. Benson, George Stirling, Governor Simon Bamburger of Utah, Fred Emerson Brooks, Sir Rabindranath Tagore, Madame Nellie Melba, Madame Pavlowa, Leopold Godowsky, Admiral W. B. Caperton, Admiral W. F. Fullam, C. M. Winslow, Uriel Sebree, Charles C. Moore, Madame Geraldine Farrar; Governor Ernest Lister of Washington, and Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hertz.

Among famous movies picture stars who have visited the Exposition are Myrtle Stedman, Ruth Roland, Myrtle Gonzales, Jack Kerrigan and Douglas Fairbanks.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section. Unselfish devotion of Fair’s executive highly appreciated.

(Excerpt)

Since the historic meeting of the Chamber of Commerce in 1909, when Mr. Davidson first presented the idea of celebrating the opening of the Panama Canal by an Exposition as the first "Port of Call," he has been known as "The Father of the Exposition." When the project had been well started, Mr. Davidson was made vice president and later chairman of the executive committee. For the last two years that the Exposition has been open, he has held the title of president. Although the problems that have confronted him during these twenty-four months have been great, he has maintained an unruffled disposition and the solution has invariably been for the best interests of San Diego and the Exposition and has won new friends for the president.

Only those on the inside of the Exposition management full realize the value of the service rendered by President Davidson, not only to the Exposition, but to the city. His diplomacy and determination have won many battles absolutely unknown to the citizens, but which will bear fruit for many years to come. Exceedingly modest, Mr. Davidson has never taken advantage of the position with which San Diego has honored him by seeking personal recognition. In fact, one of the most difficult duties to which he was forced to accustom himself was as a publicity subject. The frequent uses of his name and photograph were distasteful to him, but he always yielded to the argument that his title and the position with the Exposition had publicity value for the Exposition that could not be represented in any other manner.

The cordiality of his welcome has been the same for rich and poor, cabinet officers, former presidents, and township officials. Considering the opportunities that President Davidson has in greeting guests to San Diego and the fact that he has performed these obligations in such admirable manner, causes the belief that he had made more friends for Southern California during the past two years than any organization or man.

He represents the highest type of American manhood characterized by integrity and simplicity, and although San Diego may understand, in a manner, the wonderful work he has done, it is certain that the appreciation will increase many fold when time has given the true perspective.

. . . .

"A quiet stroll through the Exposition grounds," for President Davidson usually meant a program punctuated by such interruptions as those of an employee who desired to know the president’s idea about a future event; the visitor who complained of alleged unfairness on the part of a guard, a gateman or other employee’ an exhibitor who wondered when certain changes would be made; a friend who offered suggestions about concerts by the band; a loyal San Diegan who had strong dislikes for a show on the Isthmus; a photographer who wanted a special pose; a young woman who wondered why futurist painting had been excluded from the 1916 art exhibits; a long-time resident of San Diego interested in the Exposition’s finances; a friend who knew a man capable of filling an Exposition jog far better than an incumbent.

And, further, a stranger from the East who wanted to express his appreciation of the Exposition and bemoaned the fact that so many did not realize the great attractions offered; the automobile owner who believed machines should be given the run of the Exposition grounds every day instead of one day a week; the mother who held it a crime that any cars were permitted on the grounds, even Mondays; the life-long friends who had always paid her way into the grounds, but would like to have a few passes for some Eastern friends; the booster who wished the Exposition would get some "pep" and put on attractions that interest the people; the stranger who had a million good ideas he would part with --- for so much per idea; and on and on, with a new list every day, until the head of the enterprise found more pleasure in staying inside the office and having a little warning of the matters to be discussed before the visitor was ushered into his presence.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section. Feature of Exposition, music programs, presented public; people’s taste receives praise of committee chairman in her summary, by Miss Gertrude Gilbert

(Excerpt)

The harmonious setting, the unity of architecture and planting has never failed to call forth the very best that the artist can give; and when we think that everything has been done in the open, under the blue sky of Southern California, the experience is the more unique.

Madame Schumann-Heink sang last year to the largest crowd ever assembled on the grounds, with the exception of the opening days. Madame Ellen Beach Yaw has sung several times each year and never failed to draw many thousands; Madame Pasquali attracted an immense audience, and concerts by our local musicians, which early in the year found the St. Francis Chapel too small, then outgrew the balcony of the California Quadrangle, and now, for several months, have been given at the Organ Pavilion, fill benches to overflowing every Sunday afternoon. The honor days named for Schumann-Heink, Ellen Beach Yaw, Carrie Jacobs Bond, Mrs. H. H. A. Beach and Charles Wakefield Cadman, with appropriate programs for each, have brought large enthusiastic audiences, and, on Easter Saturday and Sunday, when Damrosch with his entire orchestra, at a tremendous expense, appeared at the Exposition for two concerts, so hearty was the response from the public that we not only cleared out expenses but made a great surplus besides.

And so it has been during the entire two years. Good music of any kind, whether by local artists or visiting artist, band, organ or orchestra by our citizens, and now the cry is "Must we give up this music in the park when the Exposition closes?" Fortunately for the city, we have a Mr. Spreckels and a park board who realize how much this means to our people. Mr. Spreckels has retained Dr. Stewart at the outdoor organ for another year, and the park board has asked the present music committee to carry on in the park the same musical policy we have maintained during the two Exposition years.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union, Special Section. Summer playground camps source of fun and benefit, by Howard B. Bard, President, Playground Commission.

The municipal playgrounds of the city can no longer be considered as an experiment of fad in which a few people are emotionally interested, for they have become one of the great vital realities of the city’s work, and it can readily be seen that they are meeting a vital need of the city when we realize the number of people who are constantly using them. The playgrounds may not be looked upon as mere places of play and recreation, but must be considered in a larger and more vital relation to the welfare of the city, to the building of good citizenship, and to the working out of the principles of democracy in the community.

First of all, they are great centers where cooperation is taught and where the boys and girls are trained to respect the rights of others; where they learn the lesson of a "square deal" because in their play they are not alone to get the enjoyment for themselves out of their play, but they are also to cooperate with others and see that they, likewise, have a full opportunity for a good time.

They are also centers for the development of a community spirit, for they bring not along the boys and girls of the community together, but also the mothers and fathers; in fact, all of the people of their locality, into social relations so that they begin feel that they are indeed members of the same community.

They also help to break down the barriers between different nationalities, because frequently we find that there are several nationalities represented in the play and social gatherings and whatsoever cooperative work may be carried on.

The city is in possession of four municipal playgrounds that are open every day in the year from 2 o’clock in the afternoon to 9 o’clock in the evening. These grounds are directed by a staff of eighteen workers who give all of their time to the carrying on of this municipal enterprise. That the people in the communities in which these playground are located are appreciative of their privileges in seen from the patronage of the playgrounds, which has become so great at practically everyone of the playgrounds that the facilities are inadequate to meet all the social and recreational needs of the people. One can readily see to what extent the communities avail themselves of these privileges when we consider that during the last year the four playgrounds have had a patronage of approximately 350,000 people.

The usual activities of the playgrounds and of free play, of the games of basket, volley and playground ball, tennis and other games, both for the separate grounds and for the inter-playground activities, are carried on regularly throughout the whole year. In these activities boys and girls and men and women are given the systematic training that helps them to be stronger in all of their physical life.

There are many special lines of work. The field houses of the playgrounds become the centers for the club life of their communities. There the mothers’ clubs meet; the clubs for boys and girls; the campfire girls; the mother’s dancing clubs; the regularly slated community dances, both for adults and children; the classes in domestic activities; the dramatic organizations; the musical organizations; University extension lectures, all find a place of meeting and development and, under the able direction of the playground staff, these clubs come to be successful organizations.

There have also been carried on during the year, many special lines of work in the production of features, games and dances with the boys and girls which have added much to the different entertainments and celebrations at the Exposition.

La Jolla Playground . . . .

University Heights Playground . . .

New Work of the Year . . . . the needs of the city for a public free bath

Summer Camp a Fixture . . . . establishment of a San Diego Summer Cam Camp at Descanso

May Festival Displays Spirit . . . held in the morning at the Golden Hill

Playground

Future Holds Encouragement . . . plans to secure a tract of 40 acres in the

Laguna mountains; free public baths on a

section of the reclaimed tidelands;

establishment of 5 new playgrounds in

different sections of city; establishment of

a free public golf links in Balboa Park;

larger use of school buildings as social and

recreational centers.

January 1, 1917, San Diego Union. Point Loma Club Grounds scene of brilliant play by star performers.

At the time the San Diego Exposition was organized, the San Diego Country Club had golf links in the park. ____ nine as sporting holes as could be found anywhere in Southern California. The club was notified that the site of its gold links would be included in the great Exposition and that it would have to find other grounds.

At this time there stepped into the breach that great all-around sportsman A. G. Spalding, who offered, on behalf of the San Diego Securities Company, to build a clubhouse and an 18-hole golf course that would be second to none in California. The offer was gladly accepted by the members of the old club and in 1912 ground was broken and the foundation laid for the Point Loma Golf clubhouse. The services of Tom Bendelow and Frank J. Szarinsky were enlisted in laying out the course.

In April of 1913 A. G. Spalding himself drove the first ball off the No. 1 tee and declared the course open to the use of members.

(See original article for a more detailed description of the golf course and clubhouse.)

January 2, 1917, Los Angeles Times, 2:7. Big Fair now history; closing scenes of San Diego’s famous exposition; "Auld Lang Syne" sing by Mme. Schumann-Heink; President Davidson recipient of distinguished honors.

January 2, 1917, San Diego Sun, 1:7-8. "Exposition Beautiful" remains open to charm thousands for three months; "Farewell" exercises in name only; grounds and buildings to remain, with principal exhibits in place; band to play; admission reduced; Canadian, French, United States, Sacramento and Southern Counties buildings to remain open; 21st Infantry will drill several times a week; organ recitals will be given daily.

January 2, 1917, San Diego Union, 1:4-5, 3:1-4. Midnight’s solemn chimes ring out passing of world’s greatest two-year exposition; undaunted by lowering skies, loyal San Diegans bid last farewell to world’s greatest Fair; Davidson honored at banquet; grounds, buildings permanent city exhibit.

The "Exposition Beautiful" --- San Diego’s own Exposition, perhaps, the most wonderful that the world has ever known --- passed into history at the stroke of 12 last night.

It came to a triumphant close amid laughter and tears, frivolity and heartaches, after a remarkable run of two full years. It finished as it started a thing of wondrous beauty and exquisite charm. A success throughout the long gay period which it occupied, it will still live today and in the years that are to come fresh in the memory of those who loved it. To them, it always will remain as complete, as superb, as enchanting as in the magic past, of which it was so brilliant a part.

Permanent Heritage to City

Nor has all, as regards to the Exposition, been said and done. Many of its great buildings will remain as a permanent heritage to the people who made their construction possible and to their children after them. Its superb grounds will continue into the future as a magnificent beautification of the great Balboa Park. In one sense, it will be an Everlasting Exposition.

Undaunted by lowering skies San Diego, thousands strong, sent attendance records at the big Fair glimmering yesterday and last night as they surged through the massive gates to say their last farewells. Exposition officials could not estimate the crowds, but predicted that a count today will show the greatest attendance in the history of the Fair.

After a long, eventful day, in which sentiment and hilarity were splendidly blended, the Exposition formally was closed at midnight when taps were sounded and Madame Schumann-Heink, with tears in her eyes, sang "Auld Lang Syne," as she alone can render it. The closing ceremony was held on the pavilion at the great Spreckels organ. As Madame Schumann-Heink concluded, the lights of the Exposition were extinguished and a giant set piece, showing San Diego’s message for the future, was touched off. The din that followed was tremendous. People cheered until they were hoarse. The immense crowd surged back and forth in a spirit of revelry never before equaled in the city. The combined bands struck up "The Star Spangled Banner," and the people poured out into the plaza shouting excitedly, blowing horns, ringing bells, and otherwise giving the Exposition the send-off to which it was entitled.

The great set piece displayed above the organ heralded a message of peace to all nations, displaying a feeling of friendship and good will toward men, truly a marked characteristic of the people of San Diego. The exact word in fire were: "World’s Peace, 1917."

With these ceremonies the Exposition had officially ceased to be. But for three full months the directors will continue to operate the Fair during the "clean-up" period. Meanwhile, the plans of the park commission for permanency of grounds and buildings will be underway. The Exposition closed, as it had opened, in a blaze of glory, and a majority regretted to see it go. It was a Fair that had caused a world to marvel --- an Exposition that has won the plaudits of state and nation and made the name of San Diego a familiar one throughout the land.

One big feature of the evening program was the formal dinner given to President G. A. Davidson at the Cristobal café by the directors of the Exposition. It was a brilliant affair, attended by the city’s most representative citizens and men of prominence in both army and navy. Closing day was also Davidson day and the dinner proved a fitting climax to the many honors extended President Davidson in the afternoon.

Exhibit buildings at the Exposition were officially closed at 10 o’clock last night. These buildings were crowded with visitors during the day and evening. The Isthmus, which is to be wrecked immediately, was thronged until a late hour last night.

Exhibits to Remain

The halyards of the United States standard on the government building at the Exposition were drawn at 4:52 o’clock yesterday afternoon --- the official sunset hour. A telegram was received from the navy department last night directing federal employees on the grounds to suspend packing operations until further orders. This is taken to mean that the federal exhibit will be on the grounds for at least three months, perhaps permanently.

The Exposition never looked more beautiful than last night. The illumination was superb under the starless skies. San Diegans rejoiced that most of the buildings and grounds will be kept intact as a place of recreation in the future. Thousands of visitors from far and near also rejoiced. News that the great Spreckels organ will continue operation indefinitely was received with general delight.

During the "clean-up" period an admission fee of 25 cents will be charged unless it is found that a 10 cent fee will be sufficient. Later on the Exposition grounds will be free to all. Everything on the Isthmus will be wrecked, with the exception of the Painted Desert. Some weeks hence the Canadian building and Varied Industries building and several of the state buildings will be razed and beautiful sunken gardens will be established where these buildings now stand. The grounds, if possible, will be made even more beautiful in the future than in the past. And many attractive educational exhibits will be found in a majority of the buildings for years to come.

January 2, 1917, San Diego Union, 3:2. President Davidson is presented gold watch by Exposition official.

No greater compliment was ever paid a high government official or foreign prince at the Panama-California International Exposition than that paid President G. A. Davidson yesterday morning by thousand of San Diegans who stood for almost two hours in a drizzling rain before a stand in the Plaza de Panama in compliment to "the originator and father of the Southland’s Fair."

There were different versions of the rain. Some thought the elements felt so bad over the closing of San Diego’s fairyland after a two-year success that the heavens were weeping. Others said the occasion was a joyous one and that the rain only tended to create greater enthusiasm for a man who for two years had devoted nearly his entire time to making the Exposition a success.

The climax of the portion of the closing day’s exercises in honor of President Davidson came when Carl Heilbron, one of the vice presidents, in a neat little speech, presented President Davidson with a beautiful watch --- a gift of the Exposition directors.

Coming as a complete surprise to Mr. Davidson, he was visibly touched by the gift and it was some minutes before he could respond. Taking advantage of the president’s embarrassment, Senator Robert N. Bulla of Los Angeles, another vice president, who acted as chairman of the meeting, stepped forward and announced, "Mr. President, if there is anything you wish to say before sentence is pronounced, you may proceed." This brought a general laugh and relieved the situation.

Holding the beautiful watch aloft so that all might see it, and share in his happiness, President Davidson began:

"Friends, for all of you seem to be that or else you would not be here in this rain to help me made my day at the Exposition a success, I don’t know where to begin or what to say. It has been a pleasure and a joy to labor for you and with you, and I am happy to know that our efforts have been with success. San Diegans have been loyal to their Exposition to the last day. Help has come during these two years from all quarters and each of you, I feel, has done his part without which we might have fallen down in some particular. We all dislike to see the passing of that which has brought us such joy, made us so many friends, and attached so many to Southern California. Our friends in Los Angeles have been loyal too, and we must not forget to thank them.

"During the last few days you have heard much of the Exposition and its struggles. I am not going to keep you out in the rain and tell you more. I want to thank you all for your courage, your loyalty, and your untiring support."

The watch given President Davidson is a beauty. It is of open-face type and on its back it bears his initials done in raised platinum. With it is a beautiful chain and an ornament done in platinum, this bearing the seal of the Exposition.

President Davidson was met early in the morning at the Laurel street bridge by directors of the 1915 and 1916 Exposition, guards and Tommasino’s band and escorted to the Plaza de Panama, where he reviewed the army and navy parade. The review of soldiers and sailors was one of the prettiest held at the Plaza in a long time. That San Diegans have never grown tired of these reviews was shown by the big crowd which was out early to see the last one before the Exposition passed into history.

The exercises were held on a stand which had been erected at the point in the plaza where the opening exercises were held a year and two years ago. One the platform with Mr. Davidson was John D. Spreckels, who was honored at the Exposition a few days ago, and several hundred prominent San Diegans and Coronadans. The large crowd in attendance stood up in front of the stand during the entire program, nearly all of them having been provided with umbrellas. When the rain was the hardest, only a few of them gave up their places to seek points of shelter.

Hon. Lyman J. Gage was one of the first speakers. He told of the work of President Davidson and of the esteem in which he was held by friends made at the Exposition who lived in all parts of the country.

President A. D. LaMotte of the Merchants’ Association represented the merchants; F. Darnall represented the Cabrillo Commercial Club; W. S. Dorland spoke for the Chamber of Commerce; and Carl I. Ferris read the resolutions prepared by the directors of the Exposition.

Later in the afternoon a reception was tendered Mr. and Mrs. Davidson in the Persimmon Room of the California building by women of the women’s board. Hundreds called to congratulate Mr. Davidson upon his success and to wish Mr. and Mrs. Davidson a happy new year.

The military and navy parade consisted of officers and men of the Twenty-first Regiment and sailors from the ships in the harbor.

At the Cristobal café a luncheon was given at noon for Mayor James Rolph, Jr. of San Francisco, H. H. Van Torchiana, consul general of the Netherlands at San Francisco, a vice-president of the San Francisco Exposition, and others who had come to San Diego to help in the closing exercises.

January 2, 1917, San Diego Union, 3:6. Thousands attend sham battle at Fair grounds.

Breaking through wire entanglements on the aviation field yesterday amid popping guns and exploding mines, and the accompanying cheers of several thousand spectators, Maj. William Brooke, in command of the First battalion, Twenty-first Infantry, captured the fort of the Second Battalion, under the command of Col. J. P. O’Neil and Lieut. Col. Fred W. Sladen.

Giving by far the best sham battle ever staged at the Exposition, officers and men of the two battalions were busy receiving congratulations immediately after the fray.

The engagement was set for 2 p.m. but Maj. Brooke and his stalwart officers and men planned a little surprise and began a random peppering attack from the brow of the canyon opposite precisely at 1:30 o’clock. A matter of luncheon is nothing to a soldier, and it didn’t tale Col. O’Neil’s men long to fling themselves into the trenches. They tore across the field, taking their places in the front line trenches in plenty of time to do some peppering themselves.

Fortified behind their mines and their wire entanglements they began their engagement with all the confidence in the world. The enemy appeared from beneath the brush on the other side of the canyon, dropping on their stomachs at intervals as they crossed the ravine, and appeared suddenly in groups in a sort of wedge formation at the top of the hill and within a few hundred yards of the camp.

When the engineering corps, headed by Maj. Brooke, appeared at the head of the troops and began cutting the wire entanglements, men of the Second Battalion thought the Indian Village would be a safer place for them, and they sought shelter in double quick time, taking refuge behind the walls and continued to pump blank cartridges at the fast-approaching foe.

Like a lot of Indians, their yells becoming almost more prominent than the popping of the rifles and the bursting of mines, the men of the First Battalion gained the ground of their enemy, completely routing them.

For a time, the aviation field was a miniature European battlefield. The mines hurled stones high in the air and the solders rushed here and there through the dense smoke. It was considered the most spectacular shame battle ever given on the Fair grounds.

January 2, 1917, San Diego Union, 4:1. EDITORIAL: The Exposition.

As this is written it is not hard for one who sites a mile away from San Diego’s great exposition to imagine that the song "Auld Lang Syne," sung at the formal closing exercises, would reach the ears of one who was even farther away. It is even easier, however, to imagine that the refrain in some way will be transformed into something like "New Lang Syne," for, as the two-year Exposition passes into history, there has come a new San Diego, into whose future it is pleasant to look.

Looking back now, one can recall with ease that when the Exposition project was broached there were many who openly and frankly said that it was too much of an undertaking for a city no larger then San Diego. They who spoke, and perhaps others who kept silent, doubted that it could be a success, even if run for only a few months. And later, when San Francisco decided to have an Exposition, the doubt may have grown in the minds of the less confident. But by that time there had been made in San Diego the spirit of a city, the spirit of confidence which stilled the voice of the doubter, the spirit which brought all together to aid the project that was to bear San Diego’s name, and to carry it all over the land. And the Exposition opened successfully.

There is no need here of telling the whole story of the Exposition and of its success. But no one who claims the name San Diegans can be blamed for referring at least briefly to what it has done. It has brought to the beautiful Southland, of which San Diego by many natural rights is the capital city, thousands of visitors who might never have turned hither if the Fair had not appealed to their pleasure-seeking desires. They have come, have been enchanted by the beauties of the Fair and the city which made it, have lauded the courage of the people who stood back of it, and have gone away to repeat those expressions to others all over the nation. Thus the story of San Diego has been carried far and wide. And those who have admired the Exposition cannot have failed to see that here was a city ready to grow --- a city with a great harbor, a climate which has no superior, a city near some of the richest agricultural and mining sections of the whole world, soon to be reached by a great railway with marked advantages over any other transcontinental line running to the Pacific coast. Many of those who came here strangers went away friends of San Diego. Many have said that they would return to stay, to be San Diegans. It is easy for San Diegans to believe that the many whose business ties are such that they will be able to come here will at least influence many others to come and join in the upbuilding of a greater city on this, one of the most favored sites in the world.

So, with all the regret that must be felt as the Exposition ends formally, the people of San Diego have a feeling of pride which more than compensates for that sentiment.

Here it is also fitting that tribute should be paid t those men and women who have been the most active and so unselfish and patriotic in carrying on the work of the Exposition. It would be hard in a newspaper page to say all that could be said, to mention all the names that so richly deserve mention, to give all the praise that San Diegans would be glad to give these men and women. But those who read this will join heartily in the vote of thanks that is expressed here and in the chorus of "Well done." For all realize that, as the Exposition ends its two highly successful years of life, San Diego is going ahead to be greater, better than ever, with the eyes of the nation on it, and with the country saying, "There is a real city!"

January 3, 1917 (?), Minutes of the Board of Park Commissioners.

Tablet shall be placed upon the Southern California Building and the Model Farm Bungalow, similar to the tablet now installed in the State Building at Exposition Park, Los Angeles; inscription on tablet to contain the names of the Commissioners of the Seven Counties Building, including the secretary, and any other inscription that the Southern California Exposition Commission might determine; tablet to be a permanent memorial of the presentation of these properties to the City of San Diego.

Resolution of thanks to the Southern California Exposition Commission approved.

International Harvester Company’s Building turned over to the 21st Infantry for use as recreational quarters, providing suitable quarters are furnished the Y. M. W. A. in said building; building to remain under control of Park Board and supervision of Superintendent of Parks.

Superintendent instructed to purchase second-hand tools from Southern Counties Building.

Secretary instructed to negotiate a purchase of carpets, draperies, etc. in Southern Counties Model Bungalow if satisfactory terms could be made.

Secretary instructed to purchase Grand Piano in "Blue Room" of Southern Counties Building for $750 (valued at $1,750), with payments being made over a term of three years and no interest for the first two years.

January 3, 1917, Los Angeles Times, 7:5-7. Three months to remove exhibits; exposition park will open during the day; when dismantling is complete preservation work will start to save certain buildings; although books not closed, Fair makes some profit.

January 3, 1917, San Diego Sun, 1:3-5. Sun’s park edition received high praise.

January 3, 1917, San Diego Sun, 1:7-8. Southern Counties structure, orchard and bungalow given to city today for one dollar; valued at over $100,000.

January 3, 1917, San Diego Sun, 3:1-2. Reception committees are organized by Chamber of Commerce to entertain visitors in Exposition city.

January 3, 1917, San Diego Sun, 7:4. Exposition president honored by many at dinner in Cristobal café Monday night, December 31, 1916.

January 3, 1917, San Diego Union, 1:6. Madame Schumann-Heink presented the colors to officers and men of the 21st Regiment, No. 2, at the Plaza de Panama yesterday afternoon when the first review since the close of the Exposition was held.

January 3, 1917, San Diego Union, 5:3. Effort to retain Tommasino’s band for next three months being made; fund started.

January 3, 1917, San Diego Union, Classified, 1:1-3. Citizens mourn Exposition’s close; 27,000 attend final ceremonies; for first time in two years grounds of San Diego’s great Fair are practically deserted; park of exhibits, however, will remain open for about three months longer.

For the first time in two years the grounds of the Panama-California International Exposition were well-nigh deserted yesterday.

There were still evidences of the 27,000 people who attended the closing day’s ceremonies, and up to a late hour yesterday afternoon attendants were busy trying to remove the traces of the celebration of the night before.

Confetti of the various colors of the rainbow was scattered all over the grounds. Several vacuum cleaners were busy trying to remove traces of the debris.

The official count, which was completed yesterday, showing that nearly 30,000 people visited the grounds during the closing day. The east and west gates looked as though there had been twice that number and as though the entire congregation had pushed against each one of them.

An automobile driven by one who was evidently in a hurry to leave the Exposition behind, scattered the Laurel street gate beyond what the reporter would call "recognition." The east gate was in a little better condition and workmen were busy yesterday attempting to repair the damage.

Chairs and benches used on the closing day in the Plaza de Panama, were piled high in front of what once was the Sacramento Valley building, but which last year housed the United States government exhibit.

Tables and chairs were turned up on end as though they never expected to take part in another scene of festivity. The Isthmus looked as deserted as a haunted house. Managers were removing their exhibits, and with the glare of the electric lights gone, the streets looked as uninteresting as a page from the Congressional Record.

Illusions which the night before had blasted forth from the electric signboards, girls who had done a dance "in the front of the house" and had created a sensation in a scene from "Paris After Midnight" were missing. Now and then a few stray girls had come for their costumes and were shaking hands with former proprietors and taking leave of former friends on the amusement street. Some were bound for the East, others were on their way to San Francisco.

Isthmus attractions were being boxed for shipment to different vaudeville theaters. Others were being sent to street fairs, others to the winter quarters of a circus, and still others were being sent to warehouses to await the word of their owners who are still negotiating for engagements in other parts of the country.

Work on tearing down the Isthmus is already in progress. Some of the smaller buildings were being razed yesterday and a few San Diegans stood by and watched the proceeding sorrowfully.

The street, which for two years had been one of light and color and fun and frivolity, saw its end on Monday evening. All the shows ended their two years with a tremendous business. The street seemed to be more popular after a run of two years than it had been at any time in between.

Even the pigeons on the Plaza de Panama seemed depressed yesterday afternoon. They missed the photographer, who used to take their pictures with the crowds, they missed the music of Tommasino’s band, the review of the soldiers of the Twenty-first Regiment and, undoubtedly, they missed the glowing words of enthusiastic orators who, for two days past, has waxed eloquent at closing exercises.

At the administration building, stenographers were filing the last letters. Guy R. Kinsley, who for the last year had made it his business to let the people of the country know that the Exposition was doing business at the old stand, was trying to find out over the telephone how much money would be required to transport an automobile weighing 2,400 pounds from San Diego to his home in San Francisco. Secretary H. J. Penfold was busy gathering up the scattered ends, lost in the general shuffle of closing confusion.

Signs directing people about the grounds seemed to have grown old over night. Uniforms of the guards seemed to have faded. Many of the exhibit buildings looked as they had before the opening of the Fair --- strewn with boxes and excelsior and workmen in overalls and mean directing with as much precision and as long voices as D. W. Griffith’s henchmen in producing the "Clansman."

Where there was not confusion, there was silence, and confusion was much preferred to silence by the few San Diegans who were on the grounds t see what the Exposition looked like "the morning after."

The Cristobal café looked like the last rose of summer --- and then some chairs had stopped in the tracks, just where they were pushed when the last guests left the café the night before. Tables, stripped of their linen, stood out like skeletons in a dark closet. There was now and then a glass --- which might have contained wine, now and then a water bottle --- empty, and one lonesome waiter stood with arms folded and a forlorn expression near the entrance.

The wild animals on the Isthmus were fed as usual, but not in the presence of the usual crowds, and they didn’t seem to know what to make of the quiet. The Ferris wheel was not in motion, the roller coaster --- the scene of shrieking women and men who held on like grim death --- was silent for the first time in months. There were not the usual Hawaiian airs and the weird strains of stringed instruments at the Isthmus Village. There were no "sample" Hula girls out in front and no loud-voiced crier, the noisy music of the merry-go-round had ceases --- in fact, the Isthmus was devoid of interest and the only signs of habitation were on the motor trucks which had been engaged to cart away that which for two years had entertained San Diegans and their visitors.

There were now and then a few Easterners who strolled through the grounds and deplored the fact that they had not arrived in the city early enough to see the Fair in full blast.

A few visited the Administration building with the proverbial after-date kicks, some came to offer belated congratulations, others wanted special privileges, others wanted to bid on wreckage, some wanted to buy scenery and fixtures, and some wanted --- their pay. They were all heard and satisfied.

Even the organ recital, which was given by Dr. Humphrey J. Stewart as usual, was given to only a scattering of guests --- the Plaza de los Estados consisted mostly of yawning benches. The state buildings were closed and their mangers were in the throes of moving operations.

But all this was yesterday --- the day after the formal closing. The Exposition --- at least a part of it --- will remain open for three months.

Secretary Penfold announced that the Canadian building, the Fine Arts building, the French exhibit in the California building, and the Science and Education building will be open for about ninety days. As soon as the Russian exhibit can be moved, the building will be utilized by Dr. Edgar L. Hewett as a museum building. Exhibits which will make this building always interesting to San Diegans and their visitors have been secured.

Dr. Humphrey J. Stewart will play as usual each day at 2:30 (?) and the officers and men of the Twenty-first Regiment will at different times during the week give a drill in the Plaza de Panama. The first drill will be held Thursday afternoon and Madame Schumann-Heink will present the colors.

It was estimated by Exposition officials yesterday that had the weather been favorable on closing day and night, fully 50,000 would have been in attendance during the day.

January 3, 1917, San Diego Union, Classified, 1:1-3. General Pendleton sends greetings from the Fourth Regiment, U. S. Marines, at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

It is understood that after internal affairs in the Dominican Republic have sufficiently quieted to permit the withdrawal of United States marines from the island, that General Pendleton will be placed in command of the San Diego brigade post and that the Fourth Regiment will, at his request, be made a part of the brigade.

January 4, 1917, San Diego Sun, 2:6. Exposition band fund is raised; plan to have Tommasino’s band play every afternoon but Monday on Exposition grounds.

January 4, 1917, San Diego Union, Classified, 1:1. Municipal band, city’s dream; committee will raise funds to keep Tommasino’s band at Balboa Park.

No stone is to be left unturned to raise sufficient funds to keep Tommasino’s band in San Diego for the next three months. With this end in view, President Davidson of the Exposition, yesterday appointed Frank C. Spalding, chairman of a committee to procure from the people the amount required. Other members of the committee will be appointed in a few days and a plan of campaign outlined. In the meantime, checks or cash may be sent to Mr. Spalding at the Administration building in the Exposition grounds.

A number of persons prominent in musical circles will be placed on the working committee.

It is the plan to have the band play at the Exposition every afternoon, except Monday, for the next three months. It is the hope to have the band remain permanently as a "San Diego band." The organization probably is the most popular that ever made music in Southern California. Tommasino and his players have many friends here, they all wish to make San Diego their home.

The Exposition officials would like to pay the expenses of the band for the next three months, but announce they are unable to do so, now that the price of admission has been cut to 25 cents. They will, however, stand part of the expense. Subscription blanks are being printed and are to be circulated and placed in the banks throughout the city. Amounts subscribed will be payable monthly or quarterly. The money will be spent only to pay actual salaries to the bandsmen. There are 29 members of the band but it is hoped to make the total number of players thirty -two.

The Tommasino band has given pleasure to thousands of San Diegans, all of whom would like to see the band retained. It also will prove a big attraction for tourists at the Exposition during the next three months.

January 4, 1917, San Diego Union, 1:7. More than three and one-half millions of people visited the Panama-California Exposition in its two years of existence, according to a report made public yesterday by Secretary H. J. Penfold.

In 1916, a total of 1,697,886 people visited the Fair. In 1915, 2,050,020 passed through the turnstiles, making a total of 3,747,916 for the two.

The month of the biggest attendance in 1916 was July, when 269,485 people passed through the gates. The smallest month in point of attendance, was January, a year