Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-06

nent citizens Of the District. have signified
ny :.EFoin ron sstern infoneeI
expected the position would be tendered o
some one else; and hoped such would have
been the scase; and that it would have been
accepted. ~ 4z-- 49,.
while yI.regard- this appointment as a
very high honor and will consider it dis
tinct pleasure to discharge its duties. yet
accept the position with reluctance. 1t has
come to me absolutely unsought
''As is well known, [ at the present time
occupy the position of president Of the
been reelected for another year. So far
as my duties as president sof, that organi-
cation are concerned. however, l have the
work well in hand and fully planned and
expected with the board of trade to assist
in accomplishing the coming year much
that is needed and should be done for the
District of Columbia.
II am convinced that owing to the past
election having been a most remarkable
one resulting as it did in the people ex-
pressing their will so emphaticaly and
re-electing for the first time since General
Grant tenure their President, that there
will be more interest and enthusiasm mani
tested in the coming inaugural ceremonies
than ever before.
Il am sure that the citizens who will be
assigned to the various duties connected
with the Inauguration will discharge them
In such manner as to make the function
most imposing affair, and more success
full than ever before. shall enter upon
the duties of chairman energetically and
am sure all our citizens will be like a COM
mittee of the whole in aiding and working
to bring about such happy results"
Mr.. Edson's Career
Mr.. John Joy Edison has lived In Wash
ington ever since the war Of rebellion, and
during that period he has grown from
clerk in the Treasury Department to the
president of one Of the largest financial in
sttutions in the District. Mr.. Edison en-
listed in a New York regiment dur
iEg the war and served faithfully
until discharged by reason of ex-
piration of service. He then came
to this city and appointed to clerk
ship in the Treasury Department, where
he remained for some years, during which
he studied law and graduated from the Co
lumbar University Law School. In the
meantime he had become interested in
building associations and was one Of the
principal movers in the organization Of the
Equitable Cooperative Building Associa-
ton, of which he became at first secretary
and afterward it's president.
He had resigned from the government
service and had devoted himself to real
estate matters and the building associa-
ton, the business Of which grew SO that
it occupied the greater portion of his time
He was afterward one of the directors OF
the Columbia National Bank when that in
stitution was organized and he was also
stockhOlder in the Atlantic building. When
the Washington Loan and Trust building
was erected Mr.. Edison was the chairman
of the building committee, and his executive
ability was manifested in the careful and
economical manner in which that structure
was erected. On the retirement of Mr..
Warner from the presidency of the Wash
ington Loan and Trust Company, Mr.. Edison
was chosen its president, which position he
still holds. Mr.. Edison has always been in
terested actively in the progress and well
fare of the District. and is serving sec
ond term as president of the board of
trade.
The first prominence that Mr.. Edison at
tanned, demonstrating his great executive
ability, was when he was appointed chair
man of the committee on arrangements of
the Grand Army encampment which was
held in this city in 1882. He conducted the
efficiency and success, keeping an eye to
all the details of the work of the various
subcommittee and rfgidly scrutinizing the
expenses, so that the old veterans were
handsomely entertained here during their
stay without there being at the close and
the settlement OF accounts any deficiency
in funds. Mr.. Edison has been twice offered
the Office of District Commissioners, but has
declined stating that his business engage
to neglect them for the Office rendered Mr.
Edison IL In the prime of life. vigorous and
energetic. and will undoubtedly make q
most eficisnt chairman of the inauguration
committee. His capacity for work is very
great. his executive ability remarkable and
he Will conduct all the arrangements satis-
faotortly and without extravagance.