Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-16
HONORED Mr.. WEST
rendered a Reception This
Morning
AT DISTRICT BUILDING
CoMPLIMENTED ON REAPPoINT-
MENT TO OFFICE.
Executive Room a Bower of Flowers
All Clerks Spoke Their
Approval.


years ago, when he was indicted into the
office of Commissioner, and his reappoint-
ment to the position three days ago. the
employees of the District government today
rendered an enthusiastic reception to Com
missioner Henry Litchfield West The af-
fair was held in the executive office on
the fifth floor of the District building be-
tween II o'clock and noon this morning,
the room being crowded with heads of de-
partments, clerks and other attaches about
the big building, besides a delegation of
neutenants from the police department and
a corps, headed by the chief engineer from
the fire department. Mrs. West, Miss Ma
rion West, Commissioner Macfarland and
Engineer Commissioner Biddle were seated
at the head of the room during the brief
ceremony
Demonstrated Appreciation.
Although the plans were not mentioned to
Mr. West until late this morning, the heads
of departments, who saw in the anniversary
and reappointment an excellent opportunity
to demonstrate their appreciation Of the
Commissioners regime were at work bright
and early today with preparations for the
reception. Florist Small was hastily called
into conference and the result of this
phase of the preliminaries was evidenced
In the beautiful flowers. the spreading
palms and the greens which arrived in
short order and were quickly arranged
about the room.
AT II o'clock, according to advancement,
the District employees from all departments
assembled in the room and formed in solid
ranks In the rear; Mrs. West, Miss Marion
West and Commissioners mcfarland and
Biddle took their places, and a special COM
n1ttee sought Commissioner West in his
office and escorted him into the trans
formed executive chamber.
The scheme of arrangement of flowers
placed Mr.. West directly before a huge
horseshoe of roses, inscribed with his
name and the words Good Luck while
to his left there were arrayed beautiful
bouquets, large and small, and q yeritable
bower of palms
On behalf of employees in the departments
Immediately under the supervision of Com
missioner Btddle, Engineer of Highways, C.
B. Hunt made the opening speech, being
followed by Col. William C. Haskell, sealer
of weights and measures. Mr.. Hunt said:
Mr.. West. 1 have been most unworthily
selected by my companions in the District
service to offer to you these flowers, and
also their good wishes and congra tulations
on your reappointment as Commissioner.
To US who able to Judge 1t Is easy to
felicitate you on the success Of your first
term, the success of which the entire Dis
trict bears witness. We beg to acknowl-
edge the courtesy and kindness which you
have displayed in all your dealings with US,
and these flowers are but inappreciative
testimony. AS far as your future official
acts are concerned we owe you our hearty
cooperation. We wish you continued sue
cess, good health and good luck
Col. Haske1ls Remarks.
Col Haskell said: I'VE are gathered here
this beautiful morning to do very pleasant
duty In behalf of the District officials
der the immediate supervision of the honor
able Commissioner mcfarland, for whom
we have deep respect and admiration, con-
graduate you upon your reappointment, a
merted compliment paid to you by our
President in recognition of your valuable
services in the past as Commissioner of the
District of Columbia.
In the absence of Commissioner Macfar-
land on his vacation we have had occasion
to advise with you relative to our respective
Offices. Personally / have always received
the most courteous consideration from you,
and am informed that the same has been
the experience of the officials for whom I
speak. In conclusion would assure you of
our good will and our desire to cooperate
with you in your efforts to serve the best
interests Of the District. and to wish you
continued success in life
Mr.. Vests Response.
In his response Commissioner West said:
Deeply sensible of the kindly feeling
which prompts this demonstration, I am
glad of the opportunity to respond briefly to
the cordial words which have been spoken.
Three years ago today 1 assumed the duties
of the office of District Commissioner. We
were then strangers to each other. During
the period that has elapsed we have grown
to know each other better. On my part I
have come to appreciate the loyal and will
ing labor rendered by the civil servants of
the District, and II is with sincere pleasure
that pay tribute to your devotion. If the
Commissioners are making progress in CIV
Ing the District straightforward, business
like demonstration, 1t is because you are
contributing your share to the desired re-
suit. You know, even better than the gen.
eral public, the persistent, unremitting eff
fort to reduce the delay of red tape to a
ment thorough. direct and prompt method
of transacting business. If we have accom-
plished anything In this direction, as 1 be-
lieve we have it is but fair to acknowledge
the aid you have so cheerfully and SO cor
daily afforded
II shall not rehearse what has been done
In three years. That record which speaks
for itself. belongs to the past. We must
look to the future. There is much yet to
be done. Many problems will continue to
arise for settlement; many duties, some
agreeable and some unpleasant, must be
performed; but in all these things 1 am
sure that we will be actuated only by the
desire to serve the best interests of the
District. We will continue to bear in mind
the fact that a double responsibility rests
upon us. Our local pride In Washington will
inspire US to seek every development which,
will make toward the progress and the bet
terment of our government: but in addi-
tton 10 this. we represent the national cap
ital and we owe duty to the whole peo-
pie to make Washington not only the best
governed. but the most beautiful and most
representative city in this republic. We
are, therefore, spurred onward by high
ideals In our effort to attain this high
standard the Commissioners ask of you a
| continuance Of the splendid service you al
ready render and the cooperation and sup
| port of every citizen. We want to work to-
| gether. not for the benefit of any one class,
| but for the good of all. If we do this we
| can well afford to he proud of our ASSOC
| citation with the government of the national
| capital 1t should be our constant aim to
| hold aloft record which will be in
| centive to good administration everywhere.
again thank you for these expressions
/ of your cordial feeling, and assure you that
| l shall always endeavor to merit a continu-
auce of Your eSteeu.n