PRAIRIE ENTHUSIASM

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 130, 5 June 1939, Page 9

PRAIRIE ENTHUSIASM

THE ROYAL VISIT

ALBERTA CROWD GETS OUT OF HAND

A MAD CRUSH

UNREHEARSED INCIDENTS

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.) EDMONTON (Alberta), June 3. Their Majesties came down into the prairies today from their Rocky Mountain log hut with obvious regret. They rose early and walked two miles before entraining. When the train reached the exit of Jasper National Park they ordered it to be stopped and walked for 35 minutes along the right-of-way, the train following. - When their Majesties re-embarked, the engineer hit the highest speed of the tour and arrived at Edmonton five minutes before the scheduled time. /. There was a good-natured, casual air about Edmonton, when, basking ih spring sunshine, it welcomed the King and Queen. This was reflected at the presentation of addresses of welcome when public officials and guests mingled on the steps of the legislative building. Thus the King, in his Air -- Force uniform, found himself close by a vender of popcorn in a "ten-gallon" hat. When their Majesties entered the chamber, the vender strolled down the red carpet, offering his wares. A boy who clambered up the face of the building was hastily removed from, the balcony just before their Majesties appeared on it to' acknowledge the cheers.

TALK TO V.C.'s WIDOW.

Theiceenness of the King's observation was instanced as he was leaving the Legislature after the official welcome. Noticing a woman in the crowd wearing a Victoria Cross, he stopped and asked her why she had not been presented to him earlier with the V.C. holders. She told him that the decoration was awarded to her husband, who died at Vimy, and that when she had learned with disappointment that she could not be presented at Calgary she came to Edmonton, hoping to see their Majesties there. Their Majesties spent some minutes chatting to her.

The King also met Colonel Luis Scott, who was the Air Force officer in command at Farnborough when the King trained there.

For the first time during the Royal tour, a crowd got out of hand today and forced their Majesties to cut short their visit to the University' Hospital.

Eighty beds containing returned soldiers were wheeled to the front of the building. Their Majesties, driving by, noticed them 'and told their chauffeur to stop. When they started to walk among the beds thousands of people swarmed into1 the grounds and the police were unable to control them. Finally, the ; Queen asked her escort to take her to the car, and in a mad crush the King and Queen were jostled and pushed. A LEGLESS VETERAN. j Their Majesties earlier had been invited to stand at the foot of the I bed of a legless war veteran, who jocularly remarked that he was "only using part of the bed." The Queen asked one ( veteran, "How long have you been here?" He replied, "I was wounded in 1914, your Majesty. I've been in this bed ever since I got home." The Queen said nothing, but took a flower from the bouquet which had been presented to her, and-laid it: in his hand. '.''.!