100 years ago in Washington: After visit to Spokane, Woodrow Wilson makes stop in Cheney, Ritzville

Spokane was still buzzing about the previous day’s visit from President Woodrow Wilson.

A Spokane Daily Chronicle man rode on the president’s train from Spokane to Tacoma, and reported “among the special newspaper correspondents accompanying the president’s train, the impression was general that Spokane exceeded in every way any reception tendered the president west of St. Paul.”

The president declared he enjoyed yesterday’s auto trip from Spokane to Coeur d’Alene.

During the train ride, Wilson and the first lady made appearances on the rail car’s platform at Cheney and Ritzville, “where hundreds of townspeople were gathered.”

From the media beat: The Spokane Daily Chronicle’s editorial page was seething over the nonanswer the president’s press secretary gave to tough questions about the League of Nations.

“President Wilson will not become controversial on this trip,” said the secretary, “and will not take cognizance of any questions which are propounded if the authors of these questions are known to have ulterior motives.”

A Chronicle editorial said answering “honest, sane questions” is the best way to “enlighten people on the peace treaty.”

From the auditorium file: The Chronicle also said Wilson’s visit made one thing clear: Spokane needed a new municipal auditorium.

He spoke in the Spokane Armory. Spokane needed space with twice the capacity, for 8,000 to 10,000.

“For lack of such a building, thousands of people were denied the privilege of hearing President Wilson speak yesterday.”