Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-25
BUSINESS BARRED
Social Session of Business
Mems Association.
INFORMAL SPEECHES
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS THE
GUESTS OF COL. STAPLES
Addresses by the Host, Commissioners
Macfarland and West, Representa-
tive Patterson and Others.

NieH 5 ASSOCIATION ana NUMBER OF tnelr
friends gathered at the Riggs House last
evening and enjoyed the hospitality Of Col.
o. G. Staples. member of the association.
The occasion should have been the regular
monthly business assemblage Of the asso-
ella alton, but in view of Col. Staples invita-
ton business matters were dispensed with
and a purely informal meeting was held.
There was no set program. but short, ex-
temporaneous speeches were made by mem
bers and guests present at such intervals
during the evening 1.-The spirit moved
President Raymond to call upon them.
Among those who responded to the call of
the presiding officer were: Commissioner
Henry B. F. Mcfarland, Commissioner
Henry l.. West, Representative Patterson
of Pennsylvania. Major Sylvester. ex-Gov.
Hoyt of Wyoming Col. Staples, Conrad
Syme, Barry Buckley and others
The association assembled in one of the
parlors of the Riggs House shortly after
o'clock. President Raymond after stating
that 1t had been decided to dispense with
the usual business. said those present would
have an opportunity to mingle together and
get better acquainted with each other. MIR.
Raymond then called upon Barry Bulkley to
Introduce Commissioner Mcfarland. Mr..
Buckley spoke in high terms of the regard
and esteem in which the president of the
board of District Commissioners is held by
the members of the association and of the
people of the District. and asked that
official to speak a few words to the gath
ering.
meeting at the invitation of Col. Staples
not to speak, but to be spoken to. He ex-
pressed his appreciation of the cooperation
extended to him Commissioner by rhe
members Of the Business Mems Association
and by the people of the District
Government of Public Opinion.
1.-The District government is pre-eminent-
ly government of public opinion" con-
tirued Mr.. Macfarland. within this juris-
diction public opinion acts directly upon
legislation to a degree perhaps not found In
any other place. Whenever the people Of
the District act as one man on any one
thing they come pretty near getting 1t
sooner or later. They may be obliged TO
wait at times. but they usually get what
they desire when they work unanimously.
Among the valuable agencies for molding
this public opinion in the District is the
Business Mems Associa ton. The efforts If
your representatives al the District bud
ing at the Capitol and throughout the city
generally have been a great help to the
Commissioners. and the results obtained
from congressional action have been due N
a great measure to the work or the Bust
ness Mems Association.
81 hope In the coming year that a great
deal of improvement in Washington may
be ACCOMPLISHED. I believe will
many projects of Improvement either COM
pleted or well under way. I think we will
see the water flowing clear and pure from
the filtration plant within another year;
we will see the new municipal building ris-
Ing on the site near the avenue. without
the Police Court or other offices In it. An
other thing I hope we will see is the repay
ing of 18th street which the association has
worked so earnestly to accomplish.
The people OF the District who have long
hoped for the development and beautifica-
ton of the national capital have every
son to expect that their brightest hopes will
be fulfilled The capital of the nation is
fixed in Washington for all time, and moth
ing can ever effect change except for the
better. l think nearly all of us will live to
see Washington the most beautiful capital
in the world. and / believe every man here
Is doing his full share I'm helping to accom-
plsh that purpose. and that back of all
personal considera tons there is the deep
and strong desire in the hearts OF all the
business men of Washington for the de-
velopment and Identification of the capital
city"
At the close of his remarks. by stand
ing vote. the association unanimously elect
ed Commissioner Macfarland honorary
member of the organization.
Closer Acquaintance Desirable.
Representative Patterson was next called
pressed the belief that it would be a wise
policy for the members of the Business
Mems Associa ton and other similar organ
izations in the city to come into closer con-
tact with the members of Congress- to in
vite them TO meet more frequently in
friendly informal gatherings. at which set
speeches would be barred. He spoke of his
pleasure at being present, and compliment
ed the association on its public spirit and
art int CT in, 10 n al rs nf ha
outside of the personal concerns.
At the request of the president. Conrad
Syme introduced Col. Staples. the host Of
the evening. Col. Staples spoke In high
terms of the District Commissioners and
said he had always found that whenever
he had called on the president of the board
with other representatives of the associa-
ton he was always sure of courteous treat
ment and consideration, whether the Com
missioner saw fit to grant the request or
not.
There are two reasons why we like
men" said Col. Staples; ''one is because
don't know them, and the other because we
do know them. 1t is a good idea for the
members of this association to meet at in
formal gatherings and get acquainted and
cultivate regard for each other"
Following a short speech by Conrad Syme,
the guests adjourned to the large banquet
ho'l. where an excellent buffet supper was
served and the members engaged in con-
versation
Commissioner Vests Speech.
During the festivities in the dining room
Commissioner West and Major Sylvester
arrived, and Mr.. West was called upon
for speech. In response he stated that
he had the good fortune to be a member
of the association before he became Dis
trict Commissioner. and that his relations
with The organization had been as pleas
ant as 4 private citizen as they have been
as official of the District.
Il wish to take this &C casion' said Mr..
West. TO express my qualification over
the District appropriation bill just
need has been given us, perhaps, but it is
most liberal budget. If We We're gwen
everything We could think Of ] suppose
there would still be things needed of which
We did not think. All things, | believe, will
come TO us in time"
Mr.. West mplimented the association
on It's efforts in behalf of the development
of the city, and pledged his aid to any or
gan cation which works for the advance
ment of the interests of the national cap
ital
Police Chief Introduced
In Introducing Ma jor Sylvester, President
Raymond declared that Washington has
the best equipped. most intelligent police
force in the country, and in addition to
that II has the best superintendent OF