The Washington herald., 1907-08-21
DISCUSS HOME WEEK
Business Men Express Views
on Suggestion. \
MANY FAVOR THE PROJECT
Plan TO Set Aside Time to Welcome
Back to Washington Former Citi-
zens Meets with ApprOval-Such
Events Meet with Success I'm Other
CitieS-COmmIssiOn Vests Idea.

The suggestion presented In The Wash
ington Herald of yesterday that Washing
ton should have a Homecoming Week
this year IN the month OF October or No
vember. was the subject yesterday OF
much comment and discussion.
Various views were expressed. in the
main favorable 10 the plan.
A number OF business men and promi-
nent residents interviewed on the subject
said they thought well Of the project, as
1t had been suggested, but desired more
with reference TO what would
be undertaken in connection with the Oc-
easion before expressing any views on
the subject
Harper Is Impressed.
Robert \. Harper. president OF the
American National Bank and president
OF the Chamber OF Commerce. said he had
read the suggestion. and 1t had struck
him favorably Owing 10 urgent busi-
ness matters, he had not been able to
take the matter up with some OF his ad-
visors in the Chamber Of Commerce. but
NNAtA AN ~ within a AeAe - 49, e'-N
make an effort TO formulate some plans
looking 20 a realization OF the sugges-
ton
Mr.. Harper said he was not sufficiently
informed with reference 10 what had been
done or attempted in other cities In this
line. and would wish 20 learn more defi-
nitely what their general programmes
were for the Homecoming Week be-
fore launching upon the project.
He thought that the board Of directors
OF the Chamber OF Commerce would
probably be called upon 10 consider the
plan after # had been gone over by the
executive committed He saw in IL a fine
opportunity To benefit the city in many
ways. and had no doubt that an excel
lent programme could be worked out TO
bring the sons and daughters Of the Capi-
tai back.
Commissioner Vests View.
Commissioner II L. West said he was
heartily In favor Of the proposition. He
saw in it an opportunity TO bring to
Washington IN one Of the autumn months
a great gathering Of former Washing
tonians and others who would eli the
city. see the sights. add 10 It's trade. en-
liven the social contingent. and make the
people Of the Capital feel that they had
many friends In the States
Mr.. West said he was IN favor OF the
plan because IL would 5e easy TO work
out. The homecoming. he said. was
popular. Everywhere so far as he knew
IT had been successful He declared that
life could not have too many OF these
nh ~
Washington should not have a great
Homecoming Week as we'll as Boston,
Chicago. Louisville, and hundreds Of
smaller places, IN all Of which the in
gatherings had been a great success. He
hopes that the commercial bodies and
the newspapers will oSpOuse the plan and
work il out 10 a successful issue this
year.
smith Doubts Success.
Thomas W. smith. the Louisiana avenue
lumberman. holds an opposite view as
to the wisdom Of The suggestion. speak
ing of the matter yesterday, Mr. Smith
asked: Name over the prominent busi-
ness men OF the city and the leading resi-
dents, and you will find that almost all
OF them were born somewhere else.
Their home gatherings would be in tho
States, where they were born and passed
their early life"
Mr. Smith said he had attended the
Homecoming Week" IN the vicinity Of
Lancaster. Pa, and Il was one of the
most interesting occasions OF his life.
Fears 1t Is Too Late.
Thomas r. Jones. president of the Ma
tional Safe Deposit and Trust Company
said he did not think this year a good
time 10 hold the first Home Coming
Week" He thought many. perhaps a ma
tority. Of the persons who would be at
/ tracted 10 such a gathering had already
/ been here on their way TO the jamestown
! Exposition, and it would be next 10 i'm
| possible to get them TO retrace their steps
/ this year and come again TO Washington
/ II was unfortunate that the plan had not
| been suggested earlier in the year. wher
/ it might have been possible for former
/ Washingtonians 10 have combined theiI
1 journeys 10 the exposition and to the
home city in the Home Coming Week.
HaItIgan Favors Plan.
Patrick J. Haltlgan. state deputy
Knights Of Columbus. favors the plar
heartily, and has written to The Wash.
! ingtOn Herald as follows:
Editor Of The Washington Herald:
Seeing your suggestion in this mornings Heralt
IN reference TO an odd Home Week in Washing
ton. 20 be held during the latter part Of October
/ oV early IN November, I desire 20 say that ! mos
/ heartily approve Cf the idea and trust that thl
! business men Of Washington win take the matta
| up and push il 10 q grand success.
| In Boston recently old Home Week was thl
greatest celebration witnessed in that city for man
years and I notice by the newspapers that thi
| people Of Buffalo preparing fer great week O
festivities there in September.
/ There is no doubt that celebration Of this char
acter in the National Capital would attract 70 on
city hundreds Of thousands of her scattered sons ant
daughters who viii be glad TO come here durinl
October. which, by the way, premises to be TN
most popular month az the jamestown Fair
believe that much benefit viii accrue to tn
business interests Of our city by such a celebra
tion and on behalf Ct large section Of the Cath
Olic people of the District. I you Of thei
hearty cooperation.
PATRICK J. HALTIGAN,
State Deputy Knights Of Columbus