Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-05
At ANNUAL FUNCTION
Business Men Take Dinner
at Hotel Cochran.
IMPROMPTU SPEECHES
COL. BIDDLE DISCUSSES "WASH-
INGTON, THE BEAUTIFUL"
Justice Anderson Advocates New
Building for Courts-Maj. Sylves-
ter and Others Talk.

The annual dinner of the Business Mems
Association last night, at the Hotel Coch-
ran was one of those enjoyable occasions
which have marked the yearly progress OF
the organization. More than 100 business
men and guests sat about the dower-laden
tables The dinner was largely informal In
character, and there were no set toasts or
speeches. The impromptu remarks OF the
men called upon by the POSTMASTER reflect
ed the spirit of the evening and bespoke
the interest of the association in the ad-
yancement of all things appertaining to
Washington.
It was 8 clock when the doors of the
banquet hall were thrown OPEN The diners
filed in to the strains of a lively march,
played by an orchestra. During the inter-
course preceding the dinner the spirit of
good fellowship had already made itself
felt, and throughout the evening there was
no let up In the conviviality. AS for the
dinner itself, it was voted to be one of the
best yet devised by the managers of the
association. DelcacieS of diet and fine
wines enriched long and varied menu.
The hour was late when coffee was served
but the improvised program Of speech
making was carried out nevertheless, and
made the evening complete. Mr.. Frank X.
Raymond, president of the association, who
presided at the feast, introduced Mr.. e. B.
Hay as stoastmaster. Mr.. Hay was very apt
in his Introduction of speakers and SUBJECTS
His interposed remarks and stories between
the toasts were thoroughly enjoyed by his
fellow members
Mr.. Barry Buckley. secretary of the asso-
citation, upon whom rests much of the re-
sponsibility and credit for its successful
functions, stated the excuses OF the invited
guests who could not be present Represen-
tative Babcock, chairman Of the House COM
mittee on the District of Columbia had a
previous engagement while Senator CALM
ger Of the Senate committee was detained at
the last moment Commissioners Macfar-
land and West were both unable to be pres
emit because of recent bereavements in their
respective families.
Col. Biddle's Theme.
Colonel John Biddie, the Engineer Com
missioner Of the District, was the first
speaker of the evening. He was given the
toast of washington, the Beautiful" Col
onel Biddle expressed the regret Of his col
leagues at their inability to attend the din
ner. He said he had been requested to
speak for them and to voice their apprecia-
ton of the work being done by the business
men for the betterment of the community.
Colonel Biddle said he had been in Wash
ington but a little more than two years.
During that time. however. he had come to
at home taking as deep an interest In the
welfare and advancement OF the city as
those native born.
When he came to Washington. Colonel
Biddle declared, he wondered how 1t could
be that government could succeed which
had for one Of its three members a man
who came to the city as the result of a
chance army detail. His experience In the
Office had led him to the conclusion that 1t
was because of the efficiency OF the District
employees. He complimented the men at the
District building as constituting one Of the
most capable body of men In the govern
ment service. Colonel Biddle referred to the
various extraordinary projects Of public
Improvement that are now under way. and
said he hoped for still greater things in the
future.
TT is not the engineering features that
give US trouble" continued the speaker.
flor engineering Is the same the world
over. But 1t is the problems of public policy
| that vex us-whether the cars shall run
down NJ street or not; whether there shall
be open cars In the winter and closed cars
| in the summer; whether there shall be
/ trees on the business streets. and whether
| the houses shall project over the pavements
-all these things send Us to the Business
Mems Association and the Board OF Trade
for counsel and advice. We must consult