Evening star., 1898-05-23
ATE PLANKED SHAD
Board Of Trade and Guests at Mar
shall Hall.
ENTERTAINING ADDRESSES MADl
Material interests. of District a
Subject Of Discussion.
PATRIOTIC UTTERANCES

The annual outing of the board of trade
ed to be an especially enjoyable occasion.
A large number of the members of the
board availed themselves of the opportuni-
ty to partake of planked shad under the
pleasant conditions which prevail on such
occasions, While the contingent of invited
guests, more particularly the members of
the Washington city council, as President
Noyes aptly terms the members of Con-
gress, was not only a representative one,
but proved to be congenial, and when the
time of ,speechmaking arrived the orators
were happy and timely in wha. they had to
say. In addition to the congressional rep
resentatives many friends of the members
were present guests.
Altogether the throng on the decks of the
Manchester was one that represented very
we'll the varied life of Washington busi-
ness men and professional men, mingled
with statesmen and with those who have
chosen this city place of residence
while the local District government was
represented in the person of Mr.. John e.
Wight.
The arrangements for the excursion were
in the capable hands of Assistant Secre-
tary O'Neil and the excursion committee,
consisting of Mr.. A. A. Birney, chairman,
and DR.. Richard Kingsman, j. w. Babson,
]. w. Frizzell, w. H. Rapley, H. Bradley
Davidson, John Miller and Robert B. Ten
ney.
The committee of reception, with Mr.
James L. Norris as chairman, proved to be
efficient hosts and recognized that one Of
the purposes Of these annual affairs Is to
make the citizens Of Washington better
acquainted with each other, as well as
with those who under the Constitution are
the local legislators of the city
Ihe boat left the wharf about 2 o'clock
ana the change from the heat of the city
to the delightful, cool air of the river was
one that was greatly appreciated.
The War Topic.
1t was not long before everybody seemed
to be acquainted with everybody else; and
while the beautiful scenery which Is spread
out to view on each side of the river came
in for share of tn, conversation, yet the
sight of Fort Washington and the locality
where the river is mined as a protection
against possible hostile invasion turned
the talk to the current topic of the war
Regret was expressed by many that they
were unable to be in the city to witness the
departure of tho District troops to the
front.
After the arrival of the boat at Marshall
Hall. the party was grouped on the steps
leading into the grounds by the ubiquitous
photographers, and when the smiling fea-
lures mad been transferred to the glass
the group dispersed and attention was
given to the various attractions about the
grounds Some found the easy chairs on
the porches and about the lawns inviting
and so in various ways an hour was
pleasantly pa assed, and then came the sum-
mons to the dining hall.
Here the long tables were found taste
fully set forth and adorned, and when the
clam choWder was served, followed by the
planked shad and the other good things it
was evident that utility as we'll as beauty
had Eeen regarded by those who had ar
ranged the feast. All the guests were re-
n.sl
they did not fail to do their part Some of
the tables were set out on the lawn under
the trees and that fact did not detract
from the attractiveness of the dinner.
Speech of Welcome.
When the cigars were lighted and the
coffee was served, President Noyes made
a speech of welcome to the guests of
the board of trade. He said that the an
nral shad bake given by the board is the
Potomac valley substitute for the barbecue
common in other parts of the country.
These occasions, he added, gave our local
legislators, who are the members of Con-
gress, an opportunity to mngle socially
with constituents, the citizens of Washing
ton. He said 1t was well for the citizens
and the members of the board of aldermen
and common council of the city to come
together frequently. unless. he said, it is
admitted that legislators should be stran-
gers to those whose interests they represent.
Reminded by the occasion, he referred to
the account given by Captain John Smith
of his visit to the Potomac in 1907, which
proved. he said. that the captain was an
adept in tolling fish stories. According to
this narrative, the speaker said, the fish
lay in the river in solid mass, so thick
on the top of the water that Smith at
tempted to catch them with frying pan.
Mr.. NOyes also referred to the accounts
given of this locality by Captain Henry
Fieete, who found that the Anacostan In
dians not only planked shad, but also hui
man captives. and F'leete made a narrow
escape from being thus planked himself
He went on to speak of the river and
its relations to the city, and said that now
we must master the Potomac and harness
1t. and put it to work. He spoke of the
Importance of an unlimited and wholesome
water supply for the city, which could be
possible If our local Legislature makes wise
provision. He referred to the possibility of
haVing the sewage carried away to a point
where the health of the city would not be
threatened and added that when the mala-
rial marshes of the Anacostia flats are re-
claimed then the quickened waters of the
river Will cut great slices from the city's
death rate. He said the river should not
De permitted, in the absence Of sea-wall
ana through the presence of Long bridge to
threaten the city with flood; or being un-
uttered, to permeate with the historic soil
OF virginia the physical systems of those
VINO were accustomed to drink Potomac
WateA; or to disseminate malaria from
marshy flats: or, being practically bridee-
less so lar as modern structures are con-
cerned, to obstruct communication with
virginia and the south. On the contrary,
ne thought the river should be made the
clty's faithful servant, tanning the capital
with cool and healthful breezes. bringing
pure cold water to every home, quickly
removing the gas-generating sewerage.
serving through Its recreated fisheries as
the source of cheap and abundant food
supply. fostering light manufactures and
furnishing force for Illuminating and trans
portation purposes by means Of the Great
and Little Falls water power. and finally
through its dredged and deepened channel
reviving the ancient commercial glories of
the region. when Georgetown, Alexandria
and Bladensburg contended for the su-
premacy.
Mr.. Noyes evoked vigorous demonstra-
tions of approval when he, referred to the
precautions adopted by the government to
prevent the river from being an easy means
OF hostile access to the capital in time
OF war, and said the great guns thai
now command the river, and the mines
beneath its surface. give assurance on
that point. He spoke of the failure to
adopt proper precautions in the war of
1872 as due to the feeling of conte.nptuous
disregard for the capital city. That feel
ing has now passed away and there is
nothing to fear for the city from the direct
or Indirect results of war, unless the ma
ton itself Is overthrown.
Not an Abstraction