Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-17
MAhYGVEN DIPLOMAS
One Hundred and Fifty-Six
Graduates
BUSINESS HIGH SCHOOL
ADDRESS TO CLASS BY sEcRE-
49,. TARY LESLIE N. SHAW.
Commissioner Mcfarland Discusses
Needs of School-Commission
Ross Distributes Certificates.
BUSINESS HIGH SCHOOL

In spite of the disagreeable conditions
that prevailed overhead and under foot, the
scene at the New National Theater last
night, on the occa sion of the annual COM
mencement exercises of the Business High
School, was one distinctly noteworthy. ana
the event was regarded one of the most
memorable in the history Of the institu-
ton. There were 156 students, comprising
the largest class ever graduated from the
school. Few business school graduates are
permitted to receive advice on the occasion
of their commencement from one whose
business ability has placed him IN such an
important position as Secretary OF the
Treasury of a great nation. and the young
ladies and gentlemen who received diplomas
last night at the New National are to be
congratulated upon having been thus ia
vored as they start upon their active
career. Secretary Leslie NJ. Shaw of the
Treasury Department. a distinguished eX-
ponent of the principles for which they
have prepared themselves. making the adj
dress to the class.
The exercises were presided over by Com
missioner Henry B. +. Mcfarland. who
made a short address, and the graduates
received diplomas from the hand of Com
missioner John W. Ross. The program was
admirably arranged, and there was not
slip to mar its enjoyable features. Music
for the occasion was furnished by the
Marine Band Orchestra, under the direct on
of Lieut. Sa. mt elmann.
The Stage Setting.
On the stage was presented an inspiring
picture. The background was a spacious
greenhouse in the midst Of grove made
attra ctively realistic by palms tastefully
ranged before the curtain. In front of this
scene. in semi-circle, sat the graduates
pretty young ladies in dresses of white, and
bright looking young men in full evening
attire Before this compact haif-c:rcle was
a smaller group composed of the speakers,
educators and honored guests. who years
before had participated in similar events
in the role of graduates At the left front
of the stage was the diploma rack. formed
of the letters rB. H. S. with an arch
over the top. The letters were painted in
orange and blue and We're filled with holes
in which the rolls of parchment were
placed awaiting distribution.
The front of the platform was literally
banked with ferns. sitting against a ba elk
ground of beautiful cut flowers. arranged
in bouquets and baskets. and which. II
Strewn out. would doubtless have reached
from the White House to the Capitol. Sus-
pended over the front of the stage was a
large class shield similar to the pins worn
by members of the class. and made brilliant
by small electric lights OF variegated
shades, the emblem being support ed on ach
side by half-furled flags
Scarcely less inspiring the Some in
taiS poos VI tiit pay muse. NOlWlllSl1n0-
ing the rain, the audience turned out in
gala attire, and numerous happy young
faces pecred out from the seats in the or
chestra circle and balconies. The parents
and friends of the graduates We're there in
numbers, their countenances expressive of
pride and pleasure. The first balcony and
tlcr OF boxes were decorated with the class
cciors-orange and blue-while the upper
gallery was draped in patriotic colors
On the stage beside the graduates were
Secretary Shaw. Commissioners Macfartand
and Ross. Gen. II. V Boynton president
board of education; Gen George III Har-
rles. vice president board of education: DR.
A. F. Pardon of the board of trade Mr.
T. Stuart. superintendent of public schools:
Mr. w S. Montgomery and Mrs l. G.
Myers assistant superintendents. Nv hla,
Davis. principal Business High school:
DR. Richard kingsman and Mrs B. G.
Francis. members of the board of educa-
ton In the boxes were DR.. Francis Lane.
director of the high schools: Mr. Thos
Smith. president of the board of trade:
Mitchell Dyrenforth president business
mems association: Mr.. Barry Buckley, sec
rotary business mems association; EXPIRES
idents Whelpley and Bell of the school
board: Mrs. Henry l.. West Mr. J. II Cor
don and Mr.. j. T. Bundy members of the
board OF education. One of the boxes was
occupied by the officers and prominent
members of the B. III. S. alumni
Commissioner Macfarland's Address.
After musical prelude by the orchestra
the graduates marched onto the stage to
the music of THE Washington High School
Cadets and in the midst of great hand
clapping from the audience. Rev. Dr. Luz
Glen Clark offered the Invocation. after
which Commissioner mcfarland made a
short address. He spoke of the inspiring
scene presented on this occasion and said
1T was great pleasure for him TO be pres
ent at such time Continuing he said:
The Business High School is have a home
a
equipped building. This is the leading
thought in our minds tonight. 1t is even
more important in our mutual congratula-
tons than the graduation of anoth her class
the largest in the history of the school
For the great need of the school has been
a home, and even these graduates are as
pleased, | am sure, that it is in sight at
last. as that they have come with honor
through the course to this commence
ment, the beginning of their active BUSH
ness careers They. like the Older gradu-
ates. love the school. They will never per-
sonally profit by the new building but they
are as eager for it though they would
do so. This is not only because they love
the school, but because Of their heIpfuI in
terest in all its pupils. past. present and to
come.
1T is this Business High School spirit
which. with the admirable work of the fac
ulty. and the students. has given the school
its special place in the regard of the people
of the District and in the respect of Con-
gress. We all know how capable and sue
cessful the graduates of this school are,
how quickly they get good places in the
business world, and how rapidly they get
promotion on merit. This is a very prac-
teal compliment to the school. But over
and beyond all this, We appreciate the af-
lection of the graduates for the school and
for all their fellows and the consequent de-
votion to their interests. Patient polite
persistence brought the community the
board of education. the Commissioners and
Congress to see the necessity for the new
building. but in this effort the SPIRIT of
the workers was all-important.
Year after year the Business High School
companies compete in the exhibition drills
of the high school cadets. well-knowng
that because of the shortness of their train
ing they have little hope of winning the
colors and the medals. Yet they go through
the practice work and through the actual
competition, with all the se!f-denial that
it requires cheerfully and courageously,
doing their best for the honor of their school
and for the general interests of the high
school cadets. This may not be the most
successful exhibition of military tactics
but 1t is something far finer. for 1t is a mos
successful exhibition Of the mob. est spirit !
we know among men. You learn more at
the Business High School. evidently thai