New-York tribune., 1901-03-06
HONORING JACOB A. RIIS.
NEW HOUSE OF THE KINGS DAUGH
TFRS' SETTLEMENT GIVEN HIS
NANE-BISHOP POTTER ONE
OF THE SPEAKERS

In the name Of God and all His children this
house shall henceforth bear the name Of Jacob A
Riis" said Bishop Potter yesterday at the dediCa-
zion Of the new house Of the Kings Daughters
Settlement al 40. 30 Henry-st It was the twenty
ffth anniversary Of Gr. Rs's wedding day, and he
and his wife both present. as were also
many OF his friends. The Kings Daughters Set
tlernent. which now occupies two houses. Nos. 4s
and 50 Henry-st.. grew out OF a suggestion made
by Mr.. Riis about ten years ago TO establish a
flower mission under the direction OF the Kings
Daughters in that netshborhood- He has been
actively interested in the work ever since.
Bishop Potter's address was preceded by five min
ute speeches from Mrs Josephine shaw Lowell,
William r. Stewart, Paul Dana Dr. Felix Adler.
Charles 3. Spahr, Silas NcBee and Mrs Margaret
Botoule. All paid tribute 10 Mr. Riis's work IN the
Sums, his broad humanity and uufailing hope and
cheer Bishop Potter recalling these testimonies.
thought that the speakers had cut out large task
for Mr.. Riis TO live up 10. He made witty refer
the fact that Mrs. Rlis IS an Episcopalian.
and THAT Mr. Ias had, consequently. been under
good influence. i proud" he said Ito present
him to-day the result OF training
The danger Of modern life, Bishop Potter said is
the substitution Of mechanism for personality En-
thusasm, personal contact and the human heart
are what refractory humanity needs. He recalled
the remark % woman who had said, after visit
ing big orphan asylum where the children were
trained 10 obey signals ike automatons, NO II is
not complete They need mothering" Jacob Riis
he said, has the mother well as the father heart
and for that reason they had assembled 10 do him
honor.
Mr.. Rtis presaged his remarks by saying that at
fhat hour MS old mother IN Denmark with whom
was then night, was reading her Bible and think
ing Of her son. J. was his mother and his wife
he said, who had been the Of all the work that
ne had accomplished. His wife. indeed. had sup
phed the flowers with which the work Of the set
Element had begun. He called attention TO the
hngs Daughters badge with its u. II. y" THAT
IS the way want 10 do my WORK" he said. in His
hane lie recalled stories Of his first years IN
ms city, trIeuClesS, destitute and often hungry.
~ was on Broadway. on one Of the nights when
ne had no place hut the station house 10 which he
lhlght go for shelter that h- had found himself
.d1 Hound The point gI view Of usefulness.
Te no use. he said for pcssiu-ism m. Il is gen
tfaly disease Of the liver Il is a disabling doc
ulhe. The pe-simist stands for heredity. There Is
nc nefeQlty- Ar are here TO see thai this day's
thNTonment is not transmitted. The real heredity
hes further back. We children OF God. The
MeFld i not had. Il IS good You simply have 10
touch il right"
fAr Riis concluded by saying that he intended TO
hVe right up 10 tie house.
Al the close q his speech Mrs. J.. s. Hou@hton
Idae Il motion that Mrs klls be made honorary
-hslrnan Of the House Committee with Mr.. Riis.
t1lleLs OF regret received from Vice PreSi-
~ m Theodore Roosevelt. Seth Low and the Rev.
~ ~ kalnstord. Mrs. Julian Heath president Of the
organization. presided