Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-11
GUESTSOF BROOK[AND
Commissioners and Others
Given a Reception: !,
LARGE ATTENDANCE
ADDRESSES BY PROMINENT CITI-
zENs OF THE DISTRICT.
Monignor o'Connell's Suggestion OF
the Position of the United States
as World Power.

The citizens of Brookland, through theif
citizens association, gave an enthusiastic
reception last night to the Commissioners
of the District and to other prominent citi-
zens of the city Besides Commissioners
Macfarland, West and Biddle, there were
present Thomas w. Smith, president of the
Board of Trade William F. Guide, presl-
dent of the Business Mems Association
Mgr OConnell rector of the Catholic UNI
versity; John Joy Edison, 8. w. Woodward
Rufus r. Thayer, Charles ]. Bell, Dr. a.
p Pardon and others.
The public reception took place from
prettily lighted stand at the corner OF lzth
and Providence streets, which is to be the
location of the branch library of the Wash
ington Public Library. The 400 school chill
dren and large number of citizens sur
rounded the stand and listened to the
speeches. The children. in charge of Miss
Bailey, sang, and instrumental music was
furnished by the Marine Band.
Prior to the reception President kinnan
of the Citizens Association drove the three
Commissioners in a carriage over Brook-
land visiting the different points of inter-
est At the engine house of the Brookland
fire company the Commissioners witnessed
a drill, which they pronounced to be excel
lent The success Of the reception was gen.
orally commented upon.
The Opening Address.
President kinnan made a brief address
preceding the reception, referring to the
presence of the distinguished visitors and
guests, who are, he said among the fore
most men of Washington-men who do
great deal for the upbuiding of the Dis
trict of Columbia. In a modest way he
said the people of Brookland are doing
for that suburb what the distinguished
men present are doing for washington.
Sometimes the citizens of Brookland feel
that their progress is slow in the matter
of improvements, but piece by piece there
is progress, and much progress. and there
will be more and better progress when the
officials of the District more fully under
stand the position of Brookland as one OF
the most attractive and desirable SUBURBS
of the greatest capital of the greatest
nation in the world. The people of Brook
capital, he said and will work out their
part. Congress and government officials
are beginning to realize the necessity OF
doing all that is wise and right to prevent
any backward step being taken in the
greatness of the seat of the nation.
Mr. kinnan spoke of the high abilities
of the District Commissioners, and pre-
scented Commissioner Mcfarland who
spoke extemporaneously but happily and
to the point
r.
Mr.. Macfarland said that District Com
missioners do not forget Brookland, and
will not do SO. Brooklapd has enterpris!ng
officials in the names of it's Citizens Asso-
citation and would not let the Commission
ers forget. Mr.. Macfarland referred to
the fact that the District has a greater
population than any one of six states he
could name, and it's interests are diversified.
mi SiDnprS
to do and much to look after. They rec
ogniZe, however the needs and demands
of Brookland, and had enjoyed the drive
through the suburb they had taken with
President kinnan. This drive had shown
the Commissioners much of interest in
Brookland, and was appreciated by them.
Mr.. Mcfarland assured the people pres
ent that the Commissioners appreciate the
honor implied by the great gathering and
the cordially of the reception. He rejOiced
in the fact that the people of the District
were beginning to pull together for the best
interests of the capital. While looking out
for the particular interests of the sections
in which they live they are not unmindful
of the needs of other sections. He
glad, he said, to see this spirit. Conf
dentially, not for publication to other citi-
zens' associations, Mr.. mcfarland said he
thought Brookland the greatest of all of
Washingtons suburbs.
The Other Commissioners
The school children sang MY Country,
It's of Thee and President Kinnan intro
duced Col. John Biddle, Engineer Commits
sioner of the District. Col. Biddle said
that he would be compelled to make his
speech short, inasmuch as Commissioner
Macfarland had told both of the jokes he
the speaker) had intended to work off.
Col. Biddle said that he and the Commits
sioners would do all they could to have
Rhode Island avenue extended all the way
out. They would do what they could for
Brookland but this was one thing he could
promise, that the Commissioners are going
to bend their efforts to getting Rhode Is
land avenue extended.
Commissioner West, who spoke next
warmly eulogized Brookland, touching es-
pecially upon its educational advantages
which, he said, were not excelled anywhere
else In the District. He liked the place so
well that he was looking around with
view to citizenship. The speaker said the
people of the District are of a high stand
ard, peaceful and contented. They will
contribute in the next fiscal year a total of
$4,000 for expenses This is 81, 100000
more than the citizens of the entire state
of Georgia pay. 1t is not too much to ask
Congress to contribute dollar for dollar to
meet this and it ought to do this. Expect
ing that Congress will become more liberal
than ever. the people of the District can
look forward to much Improvement and to
immense progress in the District There
will be an influx of population, and through
out the country the people are interested in
Washington. Therefore the citizens of the
District may feel that the country Is back
of them in demanding that this be made
the greatest capital in the world
Branch Library
President Kinnan said the meeting was
being held on the lot of the proposed
Brookland branch of the Washington Pub
lie Library, and introduced Rufus H
Thayer of the board of trustees of the
Washington Library. Mr. Thayer spoke
OF the deep interest manifested In the
matter Of securing branch libraries, and
said there could be no doubt of the boards
wish to see branch libraries established
He felt sure that the trustees would be
deeply interested in the establishment of
a branch in Brookland and on the site
now used for this meeting
Charles ]. Bell of the board of trustees
of the library also spoke briefly So did
Mr.. S. W. Woodward another member nf
the Washington Public Library roard of
frn cto Mr.