Evening star., 1899-01-31
AT ANNUAL BANQUET
Fire Underwriters of the District
Enjoy Feast.
PRESIDENT NJ KINLEY TOASTED
Addresses by Prominent Citizens
on Pertinent Topics
LIST OF THOSE PRESENT

LIST OF THOSE PRESENT
The members of the Association of Fire
Underwriters of the District, their friends
and invited guests spent an enjoyable even
ing at the Arlington Hotel last evening.
The occasion was the fourteenth annuai
banquet of the association, and. agreeable
as has been these events in the past, the
affair last evening in al its details. was
pronounced by those present to be one Oh
the most successful and delightful that has
ever been given by the organization Much
credit for this result Is due to the commit
tee having the arrangements In charge.
The guests as they arrived were received
by the president of the association MI.
Henry X. Simpson. who was assisted by the
committee reception, composed OF the
following: Sam. Cross. chairman; Lem
Towers jr.. L. Kemp Duval, w Riley Dee
BILE. John Z. McLeran, G. w. F. Swartzeli'
Henry w. Reed F. H. Droop. Ralph W
Lee Herbert A. Gill, f. n. Waters, w. T.
Boteler c. W. Howard II. II. Bergman,
j. VIM. Schaefer. A. Il. Coumbe, Philip F.
Larner. W. Clarence Duval. henry Wells,
Z. F. Riggs. Sidney Beber, John S Lar
COmbe, jr., Adolph G. Wolf.
Pleasing Feature.
tercourse before entering the dining room,
and this feature proved to be most pleas
ing one. as it gave men who meet each
other only in business way ordinarily a
chance to come together a different
basis When the doors of the dining room
Were opened the guests passed in and
looked upon a scene that was attractive
from most any point of view. The large
room was most tastefuly and effectively
decorated. The tables. which We're set in
the shape of a gridron, We're decked with
Ivy leaves and adorned with flowers and
with potted plants. From the chandeliers,
drap.ng them IN graceful forms,
pended a prOfusion of smilax, while foliage
plants were masSed at intervals. festoon
or greenery ran along the freize and was
caught up at Intervals by broad bands of
ribbons.
The long table. which stretched the width
OF the room and from which the bars of the
gridiron extended. was occupied along one
side and facing the company by the pres
ldent of the association. Mr. Simpson who
had on each side the guests of the evening
and many others. Representative Curtis of
Wisconsin who. in the absence of the chair
man of the House District committee Mr.
Babcock. is the acting chairman. occupied
prominent place. and there We're also
seated at that table Representative Lati-
mer and Mr.. John e. Wight the president
of the board of District commissioners
During the progress of the dinner an ad-
mirable program of music was rendered by
an orchestra located in the banquet hall
Menu of Fiery Hue.
The menu was printed on paper of a fiery
hue which was accepted as suitable color
for such an occasion. and which certainly
added to the color effect of the BANQUET
hall. When the diners had made consider
able progress with the bill of fare Presi-
dent Simpson claimed their attention for
tne purpose of Gazing to their favorable
notice Mr. Simon Wolf the toastmaster of
the occasion MIR. Wolf is no stranger to
the insurance men of the city, it Is need
less to say, and the -ouncement by th.
president was received with demonstrations
OF approval. because previous experience
with Mr.. Wolf in similar position had
demonstrated that he possessed gifts Pc
cuIiariy hitting him to fill such "a difficult
position with satisfaction. These anticipa-
tlonS were not disappointed, and it Is safe
10 say MIR. Wolf 0id not allow a duh mo-
ment to mar the pleasure of the occasion
The speeches were all short, but interest
ing.
Drank to Head of the Nation
The toastmaster's first official action was
TO call on Mr.. Herman Rakemann. who
rendered a Pleasing violin solo with much
skill Subsequently Mr.. Wolf called for
the regular toasts. which, seven in num-
Der, were printed on one of the leaves of
the menu booklet. The first toast was
The President of the United States the
Nation Philippine: and when it was an
Hounced the guests arose TO their feet and
mann WIN Ilucn enthusiasm to the head
OF the nation. and sang with spirit the
pa tr1otic words of America The next
toast was follows: Our Country; ca
Abroad"
Mr. Wolf said he expected one of the
distinguished members of Congress to re-
spond to this toast but he had been in
formed by them that he could not rely
upon either of them for this duty He
supposed this arose, not from any lack of
interest IN snch topic. but from the fact
that the treaty of peace had not been ap-
proved Mr.. Wo.f. however, made a Wig
orous and patriotic speech which expressed
IN a lew sentences the prevailing sentiment
OF the hour. He said that while we are
peace-iOv!ng people, are ready to
meet contingencies and all difficulties He
expressed confidence that people who had
acnleved as much as the people of the
United States need have no fear for the
future Appropriately suggested by these
vigorous words, the audience broke forth
into the familiar strains of the Star
Spangled Banner, forming finale TO the
words of the tOastmaster.
, me next announcement brought out the
HveheSt demonstration of approval for the
toas' master called on Mr.. Samuel Cross to
sing The Sword of Bunker Hill" II may
Dc said that the annual gathering of in;ur-
dnce men would hardly be considered a
success unless Mr.. Cross. metaphoricany
speaking, drew this ancient revolutionary
saber-
Mr.. Wight's Address.
The City of Washington-A thing of
beauty and joy forever" was the next
toast, and the toastmaster. in calling upon
Commissioner John b. Wight 10 respond.
referred 10 the fact that ne had formerly
served the association as president. and
added that he had no doubt if Mr. Wight
mad not been at the head of fire under
writer's ne would have never been District
Commissioner.
MT wight received an extremely hearty
greeting and it was evident his popularity
on has Not
now that he is no longer in their ranks
lie referred to the pleasure Il gave him to
be with them. and said il required no vivid
IMAGINATION to pass over the past three
IA n n n u u A-