The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-30

| The fifteenth annual banquet Of tn,
Board Of Fire Underwriters CT the Distric
of Columbia was given vt the Arlington
Hotel last night. The large banque. hal
was decorated in Lavish, manner will
tulips ana roses were used to offse, tn,
whlteness of the napery, the sheen of tt,
silver. and crystal sparkle OF tile cut-glass
Hundreds of ferns formed background foi
the numerous exotics. The ables were
bowers Of flowers and growing plants
everything presenting tokens of life ant
health, the best contrast that could possibly
he given TO the sombrc title Of the organi-
zation.
Seated around the gridiron- shipped tables
were the most prominent business men Of
the District, the Commissioners. and other
officials. Much mirth was occasioned
by the witty speeches OF the POSTMASTER.
Simon Wolf He was pardoned for almost
every Interpolation to the regular course
of events, even when he presented Com
missioner Wight, in an eloquent speech,
with securely muzzled bisque dog Every
one seemed to enter into the spirit OF the
occasion, and the speeches were as spark
ling at the end as at the beginning.
When the guests had assembled around
the tables the President of the Board OF
Underwriters stated that the best thing
to do under the circumstances and with
the surroundings, was to enjoy the good
things OF life. When the last course had
been served President Myer Cohen rose
and stated that he had been advised by
the executive committee that Simon Wolf
had been selected as the POSTMASTER The
members OF the association were acquaint-
ed with Mr.. Wolf and his methods, and
were fully aware that he was an able and
eloquent POSTMASTER, he said, and they
would therefore be glad to know that he
had been thus honored.
Before relinquishing his post as chair
man OF the meeting Mr. Cohen said he
desired 20 say few words, which would
probably interest the members il not the
guests. He said that the assemblage was
probably as large and equally as intelli-
gent as those which have heretofore
gathered round the banquet board al the
annual dinners given by the Underwriters
therefore it was only fair that they should
be given the benefit of the thoughts that
had come to the mind of the chairman of
the board as he contemplated the occa-
sion OF the dinner. No one doubted he
said, that the Fire Department and its
auxiliaries of this city were as fine as the
amc';nt of money expended could purchase,
II not the finest in the world There was
still one matter that should be attended
to with relation to the work of the Fire
Depar. ment, and which would assist the
Underwriters, and conduce to the best in
terests of the city, and that was the or
and establishment of a salvage
corps which would accompany the depart
ment at all times. and be a valued as
sistant TO the Underwriters In their work
Such an institution would not only be a
saving Of much insurance, but 1t would
srve property for the citizens as we'll, and
IN many other ways would be a blessing
10 the community. The COMMISSIONS. =
desired to have such corps established,
The speaker said, and in doing this they
needed the assistance Of every member OF
he Board of Underwriters. They owed
[ as duty TO themselves as we'll as their |
iuty as good citizens to help in the organ |
cation of such a valued auxiliary to the |
Fire Department. In Boston the salvage |
,orps had cost the corporation $40, 900 the |
irst year II was established, but it had |
iaved the citizens many times |
hat amount in the work it /
lad performed. This community is
ipe for such an organization, MIR. Cohen |
ontinued, and IL should be established as
Don as possible. The average amount
# premium paid on fire insurance policies
n the District for nineteen years had been
Z cents per hundred dollars, and It was
that the salvage corps should
e established. II would lead to a re-
djustment of rates and an Improvement
II I'D IN the business. Without in
urance. as il NO. existed, the credit of
he business could not be maintained. The
establishment OF the corps contemplated
'ould Lad also to the abolition of piracy
nd the rescue of the business from the
ands Of those who we're unfit TO carry
on.
Toastmaster Wolf then arose and thank
d the executive committee in charge of
he banquet for their kindness in naming
i'm as the chairman OF the occasion. He
aid he would be as brief as possible IN
Expressing his thanks, and would not de-
ain the members long, as the programme
hat had been prepared provided for re-
ponses to number OF toasts and would
oubtless be long-drawn out.
He then requested all those present to
he United States. aIyron NJ. Parker re- {
pended to this sentiment. He paid an {
lOquent tribute 10 the Administration and {
he various difficulties which were in his
ath when he was elected to the Presi )
ency. To many of those present the I
resident was known before he was elect |
| to the high Office he now occupies. lie I
as expected to carry out the ideas his |
congressional career showed him to be I
L. fila Ill
Spectations of the people, although some
ere apt TO condemn him for his apparent I
cilating conduct at the outbreak of the :
ar with Spain. The result had been fully q
p to the expectations OF the most SAN
inc, however, the speaker concluded, and >
c country at large was proud of its Ex-
utive.
Henry Z. Davis responded TO the toast.
The United States More Than Ever the
and of the Free" and Commissioner a
light told why Washington was the ideal
ty OF the nation. At the conclusion Of
r Wights address Mr. Wolf. on behalf Of
lie board, presented him with small
sque dog. around the face OF which was
firmly placed muzzle.
The other speakers were Paul Turner.
baltimore; Major Richard Sylvester.
oble ID. Larner T. # Droop. Represen- !
i've Richard Bartholdt of Missouri and
H. C. Loudenslager OF New
rsey.
Among those present were:
ir. button. Mr. RidgwaY. Mr.. Saul, Ne. n
Hips, d. =. Weaver. J. II. Bradley, Mr.. Will
II. u. Davidson. Dr. Waters, Mr. Ortiz Mr.. 5
nervile. Mr.. Mades, NJ. Edwards. Mr. Ora VI
n, s. Thomas Brown, c. II. Edmonston. Mr.. :,
Iachlen. James F. Hood, Mr.. Kennedy, Z. Q.
it'll, J. $. Larcombe, Mr.. Dulaney, T. Janney N
wn. Mr.. he Lashmutt, Mr.. Paris. Mr.. Birge. Il
Conley. Mr.. Blacktord, A. r. Ferguson. A. "
Wolf, T. Schmidt, Mr. Bergmann Mr.. Pearson n
Emmerioh. Mr.. Nesbit, Mr.. Rheem, Mr.. Bar :,
IS. Mr.. Fitzpatrick, NJ. Deybcr Mr.. Lackey u
Alvey. Mr. Hart, Mr.. Temple, Mr.. Fox. Mr. ~
ley, Mr. Spransy Mr. Linkins, Walter Brown, | ri
Z. IArner Nj Gill C Z Hood NJ Annie |