The times., 1899-05-10
4 RECEPTION TO THE
VISITING ENGINEERS
Brilliant Scene in the COrcO-
ran Art Gallery.
Lovers cf Mechanical Arts WelcOm-
ed to Washington.
IinGton Hotel Todny-The En-
teTtainment Programme.


scene of a brilliant Informal reception last
night, rendered by the resident members of
the American Society of Mechanical Engin-
eers to the visiting members and their
wives. 1t was the initial gathering of
the thirty ninth annual convention of the
society, which will be held in the Airing
ton Hotel, continuing until the 18th in
slant. From $3.50 until II O'Clock over 1000
members OF the society and their fair COM
panions were assembled in the gallery.
which was resplendent with light, music.
pictures, and statuary, made more bril-
liant and animated by the evening gowns
of the ladies.
| The reception committee, consisting of
tweDty-one resident members of the So
| ciety. was stationed at the head of the
broad white marble stairway on the second
| floor. Speeches were made from the land
! ing. halfway up the stairs. and the Marine
Band Orchestra, under the direction of
| Prof. Santelmann. was stationed at the
south end Of Statuary Hall on the main
| floor The address of the evening was de-
livered by Col. Theodore A. Bingham. sup
| plemented by a few remarks of welcome
| by Rear Admiral Melville, President OF the
society.
| York Avenue entrance to the gallery, and
deposited their wraps on either side of the
entrance in improvised cloakrooms After
the reception exit was made from the main
entrance on Seventeenth Street. After sew
eral selections by the orchestra, Colonel
| Bingham was introduced, and as he took
his position on the stair landing the guests
arranged themselves on the stairs both
above and below him to listen. He spoke
as follows:
| Members of the American Society Of Mechanical
Engineers. Ladies and Gentlemen:
| II is very delightful privilege well a
| highly appreciated honor to be permitted to bid
! you welcome to the National Capital The very
elements have anticipated and looked forward
TO your coming. Dame Nature gave US an un-
usually severe winter, with unprecedented falls OF
snow followed by very late spring, in order
! that the grass and trees should be green as
possible and the flowers in bloom to celebrate
your arrival. II is upward of ten years since
! you last assembled in Washington, and no
I doubt those of you who were here then will note
with pride and pleasure many improvements
/ throughout the city.
The Capital Of our nation is essentially senti-
mental capital, as Italian Rome is also called.
and in its more prominent features will even to-
| day bear comparison with any OF the capitals OF
| the world, while We have every to trust
| that its future development will result in the
most beautiful capital OF the civilized world The
| city viii probably never become an important
| commercial or manufacturing centre. Perhaps it
| is better On the other hand, you will see
here residence city of uniquely beautiful design,
with broad, clean streets and plenty Of breath
| ing spaces" which, by the way are at present
| in some danger of being treated as building
| spaces.
You will see one of the best governed cities in
| the country You will meet an unusually di-
versifed and accomplished body OF scholars in
| all branches OF intellectual attainment. The
| Government service and the peculiar social con-
ditions Of Washington have brought together
here as in no other city of our country varied
assortment of specialists. For instance, believe
| that any question of what is commonly called
Science" pure applied. could be answered
| ofhand by one member or another of the Cosmos
| Club.
1t is particularly 20 be regretted that you will
not have the pleasure and privilege OF meeting
| President Mr. Mckinley citizen OF the United
| States of the highest type-a man with heart
as big as his intellect. and both extraordinary
| man who is typical of all that is best in
American men-keen and quick, pure and honest,
| energetic and peTsevering, patient and tender
| hearted, cordial and winning-a man who. the
more he is known and tried. receives only more
| of the confidence and love OF his fellowmen. I'm
| fortunately he is compelled TO be absent from
| the city because he has TO snatch such intervals
| as he can from the necessities OF the public
business for rest and recuperation.
| Gentlemen. this age OF the world is peculiarly
yours Never has the world seen such develop
ment OF the mechanical arts The commercial
| life of the world Teviyes ickers in unison with
| the throb Of your engines Never have there been
| at the disposal Of mankind before such wealth of
| devices in every conceivable branch OF life
| devices designed for business for pleasure. In
| fact it is almost only necessary TO express de-
| sire in these days to find machine TO fulfll it.
You Will talk shop in your stated meetings and
| find exercise for your ruling passion in some of
| the events laid down the programme.
| But, in the main, Washington wishes to smuse
| you, 10 please and ret sou. and TO stir in your
hearts love Of the Capital OF our beloved coun-
d. tfa4arN
| examples that Washington has OF beautiful struc-
lures private as well as publc-beautiful and in
structive alike to the architect the engineer, and
the artist. Washington is already worthy OF be
ing called the Monument City, for not only are
the examples rapidly increasing in statues OF our
great men, but the buildings that are slowly ris-
ing from year to year are monuments to the men
who build them. The greatest monument OF the
civilized world is perhaps that noble shaft TO the
memory of Washington.
After a scientific description OF the
monument from an engineers point OF
view. Colonel Bingham concluded by again
| bidding the society welcome.
At the conclusion of Colonel Bingham s
remarks President Melville congratulated
the society and the management of the
gallery on the occasion and reiterated the
welcome extended by the previous speaker
Both speeches were received with hearty
appreciation and applause. During the re-
mainder of the evening the reception com
mittee occupied itself in introducing the
| guests and members. and music and con-
versation were indulged in until II o'clock
During this time the gallery was thor
oughly inspected. which altogether made
up a most charming evening.
The following are the members cf the
reception committee, who will also ac
In that capacity throughout the convention
George ". Melville, President William H. Wi
ley, Treasurer, New York city; +. r. Hutton
Secretary, New York city; Francis W Hoadley
Assistant TO Secretary, New York city; Frank n
| King, Chairman Executive Committee; Charles L
| Foster. William Harkness, Herman Hollerith Ar
thur f. johnson, Hervey S. knight, Walter A
| Mcfarland, George L. Morton, Harold p. Norton
| Alfred II. Raynal, Charles T. ROmmei, ". L
Schocnborn, George II. Simpson, William u. Up
ton, Anthony Nictorin, William Wallace. Win
throp Cole.
Among those entertained last night were
the following:
Mr.. Charles A. Schott. Mr. William C. Haskell
Mr.. A II. Schoenborn, Miss A. s Mallctt Mr.
| Edward " Dawson Mr.. l.. C. Strdor Miss Nc
Daniel Mr.. A. II. Rayna Mr.. and Mrs C. n
oficy, Mr.. Hugh " Purcell. Miss Brodie Chester
Mr.. d. T. Williams Mr.. Charles Davis, Mr.. C. T.
Roberts, Mr. Marcus Benjamin. the Misses vii
lenbucher, Mr.. Rufus ID. Carpenter Mr. H. b. f.
Mcfarland. Mr.. A. NJ P. Maschmeyer, Mr. Davi,
Z. McComb Miss Cover, Mrs. Brockett. Mr. Johr
A. Chamberlain, Mr. H. L. Rust Mr.. Alfred Terry
Mr.. George o. Totten, Mr.. John L. Williams, Mr.
G. c. Maynard. Miss Cara de l.. Thomas, Mr. Jes
II. Wilson, Mr. L. V. Shepard, Mr.. b. l.. Whit
man, Mr.. John C. Burke Mr.. Warren W. Youngs
Mr.. 4. ]. Haliord. Mr.. L. o. forney, Mr.. C. G
Gould. Mr. II. Bercsiord, Mr.. w. 4. Mcfarland
Mr.. W. A. iiinde Mr.. J. Fleming. Mr.. Edgar l.
Mr.. Hwang Chung -Iiuei. Mr.. C. II. Pohl, Mr.
G. C. Dean. Mr., Zach NJ. Knott. Prof IIenr.
Simpson, Mr.. r. II. Bean, Mr.. J. F. MacNab
DIR; j. G: Harrison. Mr.. J; 7, Atkins, Mrs. Mar!