Evening star., 1901-12-11
A BANKERS BANQUET
Monsyed Men Gather Around the
Social Board
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS PRESENT
Secretary Gage and Commissioners
MacfarIand Make Sp eeches.
ADDRESSES BY OTHERS

ADDRESSES BY OTHERS
Wealth to the amount of $50, 900 900 was
represented around the festal board at the
Raleigh Hotel last night when fifty of
Washington's bankers sat down to dine for
the first time under the auspices Of the
Bankers Association Of the District Of
Columbia Lyman J. Gage. Secretary Of
the Treasury, was the guest Of honor,
while on the left Of President Thomas
Hyde of the association sat Justice Brew
er Of the United States Supreme Court.
Treasurer Roberts, Controller Of the Cur
rency Ridgley, Senator Cullom of Illinois,
Justice Hagner and Commissioner H. B.
F. Macfarland comprised other invited
guests outside of the banking profession
No problems Of finance or business mar
red the occasion. The remarks which fol-
lowed the sumptuous repast were as free
from care and stress as the perfume Of
the flowers and the sweet vagaries Of the
music which filled the air. From 8 o'clock
until IL there was no break in the COM
plete harmony Of an enjoyable evening,
The bankers were toasted by the strangers
within their gates. They were told what
fortunate individuals they were to be bank
ers; what diseernment they had shown in
perfecting an organization; what a beauti-
full city they lived in, and what brilliant
futures lay before them. The same happy
strain was maintained by the bankers
themselves as they toasted themselves,
and rates of discount and interest. collec-
tions and loans were entirely forgotten.
The guests were arranged around a single
table, which extended throughout the
length OF the domed banquet hall on the
top floor of the Raleigh. Masses of potted
palms and ferns filled either end Of the
room, while touches of color were added by
huge bouquets of American beauty roses,
white chrysanthemums and red carna-
tionS, while over the white cloth were
sprinkled sprays of holly.
Secretary Cages Address.
The dinner proceeded entirely informally
until time for cigars. At this juncture
President Hyde introduced Secretary Gage
in particularly friendly manner. The
bankers of Washington, he said, felt par
ticularly close to the Secretary, and regard
ed him as one of them. In his response the
SecDtary said he was glad to be con-
sidered near to Washington people.
Most people look at me and study my
exterior and say That Is cold-blooded
chap" he remarked, dryly.
He congratulated the association that at
last, after many years. the Washington
bankers had decided to come together
There was both profit and pleasure in this
policy. He congratulated himself and Others
naming Justice Brewer, Treasurer Roberts
Senator Cullom and others. at being pres
ent at the birth of the new association. He
wished for the association a useful and
important career.
Justice Brewers Remarks.
Mr.. Lewis ]. Davis introduced Justice
Brewer as the next speaker. 1t was fitting,
he said, before announcing the justice, that
the association was honored with the pres
ence Of legislative, executive and judicial
representation
Justice Brewer said he came from Kan
sas. the home of populism. and where bank
ers were hung on a moments notice. How
ever, personally he had the greatest respect
for the banker, both collectively and indi-
vidually. Justice Brewer predicted that
Washington would never be a manufacture
ing city. 1t would always be the political
home of the nation. and there were decided
indications that this also would be the in
tellectual center of the nation. While he
had no specific knowledge Of the latest
project of Mr.. Carnegie, the justice said all
indications pointed to stupendous and
cilities. The record Of the bankers showed
they were ready to do their share In all
growth. He closed with a tribute to their
organization and we'll wishes for its success.
Senator Cullom on Washington.
Senator Cullom. who followed Justice
Brewer, said he had never before attended
a gathering of the business men of Wash
ington, although he had lived here for the
past twenty-five years. His absence from
such functions was not because he had no
interest in Washington He. had always
voted in Congress to build up and beautify
the city and make 1t the most delightful
city of the whole continent. He was glad
to see that this sentiment was taking per-
manent form.
Senator Cuhom spoke Of Abraham Lin
coin, and related his early acquaintance
with him.
Mr.. Ridgley. controller Of the currency
said, in the course Of few remarks, that
in the discharge of his duties as controller
he had been struck with the enormous
banking business Of Washington.
Mr.. Ridgley said he regretted that Mr..
Gage had not spoken on financial line in
his remarks However, he should take
casion to compliment the Secretary's recent
report. 1t was a valuable addition to the
literature of finance.
Mr.. Robert Schriver Of Cumberland, pres
ident of the Bankers Association of Mary
land, complimented the new association on
its organization. He predicted for it a
promising future.
He was somewhat surprised that the
great banking questions. such as the cur
rency question and the country check
question, had not been touched on but he
concluded that 1t was probably better that
such topics should not be discussed at a
banquet. Much good was being done by
the mingling of the bankers in a social
way.
Mr.. Macfarland's Happy Words.
Commissioner Macfarlands remarks were
particularly happy. He began by saying
the rich and golden atmosphere made him
feel opulent. Turning toward Secretary
Gage. who sat near HIM, he continued de-
murely: ''In coming felt should be able
to raise the three or four million Of deficit
for the District. and also get at the secre-
tary. who has cut down the estimates for
the city for which he asatust4 expressed
so much love and pride am sure. in view
of what he has just said, he Will reconsider
on the matter of estimates" Laughter and
applause followed this sally. and the Secre-
tary shielded his face with his hand.
Mr.. Macfarland compimented the bankers
for what they had always done for the city.
George E. Allen OF New York 7fenfesefit-
ing the American Institute Of Bank Clerks,
who is in the city for the purpose of forming