The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-23
Oakland Office San Francisco Call
1016 Broadway, Sept %.

II
1o16 Broadway, Sept. "a.
Victor H. Metcalf, Secretary Of Com
merce and Labor, was the guest OF
Oakland tonight at a splendid public
demonstration held in the Macdonough
Theater. The affair was a reception to
the distinguished Oaklander on the eve
Of his return to the national capital
Oakland, the home city of Secretary
Metcalf. gave expression to the appre-
citation its citizens felt over Mr.. Met
Calls appointment as a member OF
President Roosevelt's Cabinet, and tes-
titled to the high esteem in which the
new Secretary is held by those among
whom he has spent many years Of an
active career. The assemblage was one
to be given high place in the record OF
representative gatherings. From all the
I walks Of life men were there. Most ap-
propriately, United States Senator
George c. Perkins and Governor George
c. Pardee, both Oaklanders. had special
places on the elaborate reception pro-
gramme.
Absolutely non-partisan was the af-
fair. Politics had no part. It was a
genuine and sincere mark Of civic pride
and personal oongratulation. Invested
of every element of partisanship.
The theater was crowded to its ca
pacity. There had been no restrictions
upon the attendance, it being limited
only by the seating ability of the audi
forum and stage. Simple but appro-
pirate decorations, the national flag
predominating, embellished the inte-
rior.
The leading citizens Of Oakland to
the number Of several hundred were
seated on the stage. The details Of the
reception were carried out with perfect
precision.
Among the speakers were Senator
Perkins. Governor Pardee, NJ. c. Chap
man, H. c. Capwell, c. w. Petry, War
rem Olney, Mayor Of Oakland; Robert
NJ. Fitzgerald, Judge John Ellsworth,
A. A. Moore and John P. Irish, United
States Naval Officer at the Port of San
Francisco.
OAKLAND'S TRIBUTE.
A Jonas, president of the Merchants
Exchange, opened the programme by
presenting United States Senator
George c. Perkins as chairman of the
evening. President Jonas said the re-
ceptiOn had been called by the Union
League Of Oakland, the Merchants Ex-
change and the Oakland Board Of
Trade, to enable the people of Oakland
TO testify TO their regard for Secretary
Metcalf and their appreciation of his
appointment to one of the most impor-
tant bureaus in the national Govern
ment. In his address President Jonas
said it was part of his duty as tempo
rary chairman TO eulogize Secretary
Metcalf but he could not leave with
out saying that the distinguished Oak
lander had won a splendid name for
himself in the years that he had lived
in Oakland.
Senator Perkins said:
1T is quite unnecessary for me to
say that we, his neighbors, feel a Joy
over the selection of our friend Secre-
-tary Metcalf as a member of the Pres
ident's Cabinet. It is more than fitting
that we should tonight assemble here
TO give voice to our feelings. Victor
II. Metcalf has attained a high place
in the nation and there is none more
worthy of it,"
Continuing, Senator Perkins reviewed
the wide scope of the duties involved
in the direction Of the Department Of
Commerce and Labor. He spoke of this
work as such that could be splendidly
handled by Secretary Metcalf, and
added:
Il know Victor Metcaff will be an
ideal Secretary. The President of the
United States in his excellent judg-
ment has won the congratulations of
the people of California and Of the Pa
cific Coast States. / know that Sec
rotary Metcalf will, in the administra-
ton Of his important Office, reflect
credit upon himself and honor upon
the nation, the State and this, his
home"
After a selection by a male quartet,
Senator Perkins read a telegram Of
congratulation from United States Sen
ator Thomas. r. Bard: II share in the
qualification and pride felt by all Cal
ifornians over this appointment" was
Senator Bard's message.
GOVERNOR PARDEE'S PRAISES.
Senator Perkins introduced Governor
Pardee, who spoke for the State, say
ing among other things:
In common with the people Of the Pacific
Coast and California, the people Of the city
OF Oakland have great personal and peculiar
pride In the selection Of Victor H. Metcaf.
The honor IS shared by all the people of the
State, especially by the people Of his home
city. For his valuable services TO his State
and city We are grateful. We are here to con-
vey 20 him our congratulations. to congratu-
late aim for ourselves, for the nation To the
President we offer our congratulation
California Is on the verge Of her greatness.
The past fades into insignificance over the
possibilities Of the future. In order that Cali
fornia may have proper representation before
the people OF the nation, II is necessary TO
send forth the best OF our men TO represent
the State before the world. We are glad that
our foremost man has been sent forth and
that now we have at the court OF the nation
our friend and neighbor In the name OF the
people of the State Of California. whom 1 this
night am here to represent. I congratulate the
people Of he nation. California and her fu-
ture will be heralded abroad by him who has
her reputation close at heart
The Union League of Oakland was
represented by NJ. c. Chapman, who
was sure of the pleasure it gave him
TO meet and greet his fellow townsman.
He said this was the second time the
State had a representative in one of the
very highest posts in the executive
branch Of the national Government. II
was gratifying to know that at this
tine the representative was from Oak
land. The speaker added: Oakland