Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-20
THE MASTER BUILDERS
MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
AT A BANQUET.
Good Cheer and Good Fe1lowship-Ad-
dresses by Commissioners West and
Biddle and Others.

The dining room OF the Colonial hOtef WAS
the scene last night of the twenty-ninth an
nual banquet of the Original Master Build
ers' Association of Washington. and the
event was considered as one of. the most
memorable in the history of the organiza-
ton. More than fifty prominent builders and
their guests were present. and addresses
were made during the evening by Commits
sioner West, Commissioner Biddle, Mr.. Err
nest Wilkinson, representing the Board OF
Trade; President Frank K Raymond of the
Business Mems Association: Surveyor H. b.
LOCKER. Building Inspector Snowden Ash
ford, and Mr.. II. B. Davis, inspector OF
plumbing. The president of the original
builders association, Mr.. g. A. Langley,
presided as toastmaster.
The tables were handsomely decora ted,
and in addition to an abundance of good
things to eat and drink there was a liberal
supply of good cheer and good fellowship
The souvenir menu card was a unique at
fair, characteristic of the builders trade.
1t represented d stone arch with two wood
en- doors, the opening of which revealed the
elaborate menu.
Commissioner West delivered his address
rather early in the evening, since he was
obliged to excuse himself on account of an
other enga cement. Mr.. West congratulated
the builders on the age of their organiza-
ton and declared that the members should
be proud of belonging to a trade which the
Son of Man honored during His early life.
THE great buildings in Washington" said
Mr.. West ARE monuments for the most
part to the members of this association to
the men | see before me his evening. The
buildings stand as an expression OF your
life work
II hope the time will come, and hope it
will come first in Washington, when there
will be no more strikes or lockouts, but
when the disputes between employer and
employee will be settled by arbitration, each
side respecting the other in the disposition
of the points at issue If this can be brought
about by compulsory arbitration, or by
some other means, l will be glad to see it.
and it will be fortunate day for Washing
ton and for both employers and their men.
Mr. Vests remarks We're heartily cheered
particularly his reference to the settlement
of disputes by arbitration
Col Biddle's Address.
Following the disposition Of the menu,
President Manley introduced Col Biddle,
Engineer Commissioner for the District.
Col Biddle expressed to the company the
regrets of Commissioner Mcfarland. who
was unable to be present on account OF
recent bereavement, and stated that the
builders the men upon whom the
people of the city depend for the beauty
and durability of their homes and buildings.
Continuing, Col. Bddle said:
when l first came to Washington and
eminent l expected to find in the District
service old men who had been placed IN
the positions because of their inability to
perform duties outside. But I was most
agreeably surprised to find in the District
service young men and men in the prime
of life, who were carrying on the work OF
the District in most enthusiastic and care
full manner.
Col Biddle then paid a high compliment
to Building Inspector Ashford and to the
inspector of plumbing and to the District
surveyor. He stated that the work OF these
officials is deserving of high praise, ana
that they are continually growing III MS
regard and estimation.
INDUCES in Humor.
Mr. Wilkinson, the next speaker, told
number OF amusing stories and related sew
eral humorous incidents connected with his
early visit to Washington. He referred to
the time when the original builders were
wont to hold their annual meetings on the
curb and on one occasion, he stated, the
secretary became so interested In the dis
cusslon of the matters before the associ-
alton that he forgot his books, upon Whcn
he had been sitting during the early part OF
the meeting. The truth of this story was
vouched for by the older members of the
association, who declared that the DOORS
have never been found. Mr.. Wilkinson SAID
he came to Washington in 1915. AT thal
time he said, the streets We're full OF mud
puddles and the music of the frogs III
'Swampoodle' sang him TO sleep. Today,
he declared. Washington is one of the most
beautiful cities in the world, and this is due
in large part to the work of the builders.
Surveyor LOCKER in brief address urged
the builders to advocate the consummatlon
of the plan for identifying the city, ana
Mr. Ashford commended the members OF
the association for their cooperation ana
encouragement in the work of securing
good and substantial buildings In the city
INSPECTOR Davis also thanked the builders
for their cooperation in furtherlng the
work of his office. Mr.. Raymond spoke
briefly in q humorous vein and congratu-
lated the associa ton on its past work.
In addition 10 the speakers, the following
gentlemen We're present as guests OF the
associa ton: Mir. ]. S. Prescott, president OF
the Master Builders Association; Mr.. K. NJ.
Evans assistant building inspector.
The committee in charge Of the banquet
consisted of Messrs. j. c. Yost, chairman;
J. w Thomas and G. W. Barkman. me
reception committee was composed OF
Messrs D. ]. Mccarthy, Motley Anderson
/ W Thomas and w. 3. HotzclaW.
ID