Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-23
AFFAIRS IN GEORGETOWN
ANNUAL DEBATE FOR THE HAND
SOME MERRICK MEDAL.
Boat House of Columbia Athletic Club
to He Presented to Georgetown
University Briefs.

The debate for the Merrlck gold medal
was held last evening in the CASTOR Memo
rial Hall of Georgetown University, under
the auspices of the Philodemic Society,
being the twenty-fifth annual contest. The
hall was prettly decorated. and large au-
dience assembled to hear the arguments ad-
vanced by the young debaters.
Resolved. That the federal government
should own, operate and control all the rail-
roads in the United States' was the subject
of the discussion, there being two speakers
on eacn side. The judges were Senator
Stephen r. Mallory of Florida, Representa-
tive Martin F. Glynn of New York and
George E. Hamilton, LID, dean Of the
law school of the university. AT the close
of the debate the judges made a decision,
the announcement of which will not be
made public until the annual commence
ment exercises of the university In June.
Warwick j. Herman of New York. class OF
1901. was The chairman of the debate and
In his Introductory remarks he outlined a
brief history of the Phodemlc Society,
which was founded In 1880 by the then pres
ident of the university. He spoke of the
generosity of the late Richard T. Merrick.
a prominent Washington lawyer, through
whose generosity the handsome medal bear
ing his name was made a feature OF the
college course of prizes, lone most eagerly
sought for and worthy of possession
The Arguments Advanced.
Thomas A. Ferneding of Ohio, class OF
1901, opened the debate in the affirmative.
In the opening he stated that when a mat
ter becomes a question of public benefit the
government has a right to that property
over the individual In his opinion one sys-
tenn of railroads working tremendously
throughout the country would be the best
and most desirable plan.
lgnatius j. Costigan of the District OF Co
lumbia, class of 1902, opened for the mega
cod he Il
of railroads because it would be a sure
means of working corruption, he said, a
plaything for politicians, and brides and dis
ordinations would frequently occur.
Rice w. Jones of Virginia, class OF 1901,
closed the affirmative side, referring to the
present determinations in rates, and pre-
dicted that IL possession shall remain out
side of the general government il will only
be matter of time when all of the rail-
roads of the country will be owned by a few
people.
George C. Green of North Carolina, class
of 1901, the last speaker. claimed that the
government lacked the incentive to operate
railroads. government monopoly was the
worst thing in the world. in his opinion.
and if the government took control there
would be an aversion 20 the adoption of
new inventions. The speaker claimed that
the lowest freight rates in the world exist
today in this country.
Committee of Arrangements.
The committee on arrangements for the
debate last evening consisted of Michael j.
Walsh, class of 1901, chairman; A. C.
Oracle, Ol; Paul Brown, 'O2; C. C. Horsey.
'O1 Joseph Lynch, '02: C. Herman, 'O1, and
Theodore Dissell. 'O2. The reception COM
mittee composed of James P. b. Duffy,
class of 1901 chairman: s. A. Douglas, 01:
E. ]. Smith, Maryland, OF: J. S. Brady,
01: John NJ. Wolfe, '0l: E. ]. Smith, Ten
nessee, '01. and Conrad Reid, '02.
The officers Of the Philodemic Society for
fhn ont
J. Shealy, ST.: president Warwick j. Ker-
nan; corresponding secretary, Ed. l.. Byrne;
recording secretary. e. ]. Smith: treasurer,
NJ. j. Walsh: first censor. l. j. Costigan;
second censor, L. w. Smith.
Boat House to he Sold.
1t is understood the boat house of the Co
lumbia Athletic Club. at the foot of 32d
street, is to be sold to Mr.. Richard A.
Johnson of the firm Of Gurley & johnson
Of Washington, who will Immediately upon
the filing of the necessary papers. present
the house and contents to the Georgetown
University through his William, at
present a student at the university. The
price agreed upon for the boat house Is
said to be $4,000. Within a few days every
thing will be arranged and the deal con-
summated
Since the Introduction Of auuatics at
Georgetown University last year an effort
has been made to secure a home for the
college crew. Through the courtesy of the
Potomac Boat Club the building belonging
to that organization was used by the var
sity boys last season. 1t fs said the boat
house is sacrificed. the value of boats
belonging to the Columbia Athletic Club
is estimated at nearly the amount OF me
purchase price. A short time ago nearly
81 900 was expended in fixing up one or
two Of the boats, which will be included In
the SALE The building itself is hand
some two-story structure, with attic bal
cony, and covers good area or ground,
being built especially for the purpose.
An attempt was made to keep the matter
of the purchase secret, so as to surprise
the university by its presentation. 1t is
also understood that the university author
tiles have been endeavoring to purchase
the place and had entered into negotia-
lions to that erect.
Odd Fellows' banquet.
Past Grand Masters Cuncil. No. A, Grand
United Order of Odd Fellows, held its twen-
ty-second anniversary banquet last evening
at Green's Hall, on Pennsylvania avenue
Past Grand Master r. S. Locke acted as
POSTMASTER for the occasion, and the FOL
lowing toasts were responded to: Our Sub
ordinate Lodges" P. G. NJ. H. L. Holmes;
Our Ladies' P. G. M. Joseph N. lawson
Our Juvenile Societies." P. @. M. J. W.
Lee; past Grand Masters Councils. p g.
M w. J. Abrams; "The Patriarchies," P.
G. NJ. George Carter. The officers OF the
council are: w. G.. NJ. w: j. Abrams; u. s.
L. N. Harris; G. G.. r. S. Locke; G. 8. A
Fenton Harris; D. G. NJ, Chas. Jackson; A.
g. s., George T. Beason; G. W.. Chas Wool
ford; G. c., o. N. Butler. Committee
George T. Beason, chairman; Jas. l.. Tur-
ner, secretary: JOS. N. Lawson. r. S. Locke
and w. p. Butler.
Funeral Of Charles A. ROdier.
The funeral of Mr.. Charles Anthony Ro-
der. who died Tuesday evening at the resi-
dence Of his daughter. Mrs. c. H. Tickling.
was held yesterday from Trinity Church.
with a high mass of requiem. The funeral
was largely attended, and the floral tributes
were numerous The deceased was a mem
Der of Washington Lodge of Elks and also
of the Jolly Fat Mems Association, both of
which organizations were represented at
the funeral. The pallbearers were selected
from the ranks Of the Elks, and were John
A. German. Thomas Wilkerson. jr.. j. d.
Burns, F. Fred Ruppertus. Edwin b. Hay,
John c. Maxwell, Gen. Joseph Darr and M.
J. Gallagher.
The father of the deceased, l.. P. Rodier.
was a native of France who came to this
country in the early part OF the century.
AS civil engineer he superintendent work
on the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, and
constructed the, bridge across 32d street.
toI,l h 10 I'D la-a