Los Angeles herald., 1906-02-23
ELOQUENT SPEAKERS
DWELL ON FUTURE OF
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
PORTS OF PACIFIC ARE FRONT DOORS
Assert That California Is Emancipated From a
Dependence on the Eastern States That
Weighed Heavily on Commercial
interests in the Past

The 1906 annual banquet of the Los
Angeles Chamber of Commerce has
passed into local history, the chief of
all public events in Southern Cali
fornla.
The annual receptions and banquets
OF this powerful and influential body in
all business affairs of Los Angeles and
the southland are looked forward to
yearly by over two thousand represen-
tative citizens of the community and
the festive occasions are not only
events of local Importance but attract
the attention of the state and nation.
The gathering of members of the
chamber and guests at Levy's splendid
cafe last night numbered nearly 700,
and the affair was brilliant, patriotic
and thoroughly enthusiastic.
One hundred large flags were used to
adorn the walls and near the official
table was displayed portrait of
George Washington.
In the balcony Arend's orchestra was
stationed to discourse patriotic airs
and popular selections.
w. j. Washburn, president of the
chamber, presided and made the ad-
dress of welcome.
The banquet committee, w. G.. Barn
we'll, Perry w. Weidner, Louis F.
NeLter, Joseph SCOIJ ana y. w. II leiu-
ing, excelled in making complete ar
rangements for the reception, and the
tables and service paid high tribute to
their Judgment and efficiency.
Eloquent Attorney POSTMASTER
Joseph Scott was the premier toast
master, witty to the limit, and eXcep-
tionally clever in his extemporaneouS
remarks.
Secretary Virgins was brought to
the 'front.' while the banqueters arose
to drink his health and join in singing
Hes a Jolly Good Fellow" with ac-
compartment by the orchestra.
Much merriment was caused by the
reading of a fake telegram from John
D. Rockefeller to Louis Vetter, dated
THE Sphynx. Egypt" and closing:
God help the people and the devil
take the newspapers"
Henry j. Stevens misjudged the feel
ings of the people when he suggested
that the United States should surren-
der the Philippines. A storm of dis
approval arose that subsided only
when Mr.. Scott uttered a mild but
pointed rebulxe. Applause was vigorous
when later Mr.. Gates said that he
could not agree with Mr.. Stevens in
his utterance.
Pays Tribute to Journalist
LII IHt COuISS VI opSCSh 4hI :
White in speaking of fearless editors
said: you may hate him for his edi-
torlals, but the people will read his
paper" Instantly the banqueterS be-
gan to clap their hands and cheer,
nearly everybody looking toward the
table where Gen. II. G. Otis of the
Times was seated. The general was
urged to stand up and he did so, and
he was accorded the compliment of
threa nhaerc and q tiger
Francis Murphy, beloved by all, was
toasted and cheered. Mr.. Murphy eX-
perlenced some difficulty early in the
evening to get enough water, but A.
w. Skinner came to his relief and lined
up several bottles Of aqua pura for
his special benefit
The club men west of the official
table kept doing things all evening in
the vocal line.
President Ripley Favorite
Presiednt Ripley of the Santa Fe
was one Of the favorite speakers, and
made a decided hit by his quiet man
ner and telling points directed toward
shippers and merchants.
L.. C. Gates, who was the substitute
for Grover Cleveland to pay tribute to
the president, spoke eXtemporaneously
and captured the crowd by his elo-
quence and patriotic utterances.
Gen. Otis, near the close of the BAN
quet, begged the indulgence of the as
sembly to make an announcement,
which was to the effect that Harry
Chandler, now in New York, had sent
him telegram stating that the MEM
bers of the American Newspaper asso-
citation had voted to hold their next
annual national convention in Los
Angeles. The announcement was re-
ceived with expressions of great pleas
ure.
William Allen White does not make
great pretentions to oratory, but as an
after-dinner speaker he established
last night an enviable. reputation.