The San Francisco call., 1903-12-09


of the room on one side was the main
table. where the officials Of the Mer-
chants Association and the principal
guests were allotted seats.
From the main table thirteen tables
were set AT right angles. extending
across the large ROOM
ELABORATE DECORATIONS.
The decorations were entirely in red.
Silver candelabra were set at intervals
on the banquet board. the lighted can
dies being shaded with red silk hang
fngs Quantities OF red carnations and
autumn leaves were artistically placed
upon the tables.
At one end Of the room were draped
two American flags and behind the
chair Of the president Of the associa-
tion was displayed a large map Of the
world. showing san Francisco as the
center of commerce
President Frank J. Symmes Of the
Merchants Association was supported
on his right by Mayor Schmitz. W. Il
Mills and F. ". Dohrmann, and on the
left Of the president were seated J. A.
Filcher. Commissioner Of California to
the Worlds Fair. and John Mcknight,
Prominent city officials and officers
Of the Merchants Association were also
seated at the main table
A superb dinner was enjoyed by the
guests and the wines were exclusively
California products. An artistic pro-
eranme of music was rendered during
the serving Of the feast and the guests
gave themselves uD 10 discussing the
r1~r % .v-1
tnterlarding the meal with pleasant
conversation.
DWELL ON ONE TOPIC.
A feature of the gathering was the
limitation Of the number Of speakers.
The committee Of arrangements made
a decided hit with the guests by not
furnishing a long list Of toasts TO be
responded TO.
An innovation was made in having
few prominent citizens discuss one Civ
en- topic and that was san Francisco's
Display at the St. Louis Exposition in
1904 ="
In addition TO President Symmes. the
speakers of the evening were w. II.
Mills, J. A. Filcher, John Mcknight
Mayor Schmitz and NJ. II. de Young.
The addresses of the speakers of the
evening were listened 10 with rapt at
tention and were rewarded with con-
siderable applause. The guests were
carried away by enthusiasm when
some Of the speakers told Of the great
work done by the residents Of San
Francisco and all seemed TO get a bet
ter understanding Of the main idea pro-
mulgated that the resources and ad-
vantages Of the city should be properly
advertised 10 the many millions of
people that viii gather in St. Louis at
the forthcoming exposition from every
quarter of the civilized world.
PRESIDENT SYSIMES SPEAKS.
It was close upon 9 p. m. when Presi-
dent Symmes arose and called the
guests TO order. President Symmes
was received with loud applause and in
addressing the gathering said in part:
Gentlemen Distinguished Guests and Mem
hers 0f the Merchants Association; Il is with
great pleasure that welcome you to this siAth
annual dinner of our association. II Is not
that we are only six years old, but IN our early
days we were not placed TO enjoy so bountital q
feast as we have had set before US tonight.
The Merchants Association is good and
strong and very healthy. and We think that san
Il is couposcd OF good stock and has been well
brought up under the guidance Of ats father.
our secretary Mr. King.
The Mcrchsnts Association has passed
through many trials. u is not well to boast,
neither is IL wei 70 hide our light under
bushei. il the last year We have completed
three good things in particular, consisting oi
safety station al Third and Market streets and
the widening of Third street.
IN tho widening of Third street our associa-
tion did most valuable work. and the capacity
OF travel on that street has been doubled
Another important work has been the estab-
y
mitroe. which has saved considerable money 70
the merchants and has kept funds away from
Let us now turn our attention to the future
II is the intention Of the Merchants Associa-
tion 90 aid in the proper expenditure Of the
bond issue voted by the people, amounting &C
SIS 100000 We again pledge our devotion tc
the Civil Service Commission and 10 that
every department OF the city government must
u IS necessary that some one or some organ
ization must look out for the common good
This association Is organized 10 make Sar
Francisco cleaner, better looking and better be-
The bigger the city the less the average cit.
izen Goes his civic duty. hence the need ot
this association. There two kinds OF hon
est men before the public. men financially
honest ano men morally sound. Men are
needed who do not use their Offices for the
benefit OF their friends or 70 reward political
services Men are needed who are honest an
through. With such men the city will not
he robbed or its servants corrupted
HONEST MEN ARE NEEDED.
II Is difficult 70 find honest men hence there
IS 90 mueh corruption The men who arc
needed IN civic government are men who have
no ak 20 grind. ] do not mean 70 say thai
there are not honest men in civic government
or IN large corporations. but realize thai
one crooked may corrupt a City Council
or the directors OF corporation.
II desire 20 reform conditions we nus1
commence at home. Let each man reform
himself and he viii reform others.
n our city Is not well governed II Is be.
cause the common people fail in their civis
duty Every citizen must DO his proper duty
He accepts the benefits Of government bu,
he ls not willing 10 do his duty. This &,
shown By the recent election when one-thirc
Of the voters went 10 the polls TO vote on the
expenditure of SIS. .OO0. .o0p
TIc her rfrrrf IN r~Ior