“FAVOR THE MONUMENT – Chamber of Commerce Directors Hear Plan for Plaza Statue of Cabrillo – At yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Directors the Board was waited upon by a Committee representing the newly organized lodge of the Portuguese Union of California (U.P.E.C.), who submitted the following communication from the Supreme President of the organization:
San Diego, California – January 14, 1904
*Letter to Mr. H. P. Wood, Secretary of Chamber of Commerce, San Diego, California:
‘Dear Sirs – Representing the U.P.E.C. (Portuguese Union of the State of California), a fraternal organization, and wishing to perpetuate the discovery of California by Cabrillo, the great Portuguese navigator, by erecting a monument in his honor on the shores of the magnificent Bay of San Diego, which he was the first to discover and enter, do hereby ask of your honorable body your hearty cooperation in caring on this good work.
Very truly yours, Mr. JESSE H. WOODS, Supreme President of the U.P.E.C. (Portuguese Union of the State of California)
*************************************************
“The U.P.E.C. Supreme President has been in the city in connection with the organization of the local branch of the U.P.E.C., but was called north and so was unable to be present at the meeting. Secretary Wood, to whom he had explained the project of the monument, however, in turn explained it to the Directors.
Communications have been sent to Senator Perkins and Congressman Needham asking that the proper authority be secured for the erection of a large statue of the discoverer by the union. The figure would undoubtedly be of much interest to tourists. The Board decided that every age should be given to the society that possibly could be given, and with that end in view referred the whole matter to the City Improvement Committee, consisting of Mr. J. N. Newkirk, James MacMullen, and E. E. White.
The San Diego branch of the (U.P.E.C.) organization was organized this week by the election of the following officers: President, MANUEL F. CABRAL, Vice-President J. S. MONTEIRO, Treasurer J. S. SOARES, Marshall J. L. MONTEIRO, Secretary J. L. MONTEIRO, Master of Ceremonies JOHN MONIZ, Guard MANUEL S. SOARES. No financial aid is sought by the society or union, which is composed of about 6,500 citizens of the state. They are amply able to carry the project through and will doubtless do so.”
(*Source: San Diego EVENING TRIBUNE newspaper – Saturday, January 16, 1904 – Pg. 3)