The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-05
GridirOn and Five o'clock
Men Brought Together.
]. HAMPTON MOORE THE HOST
Philadelphia Congressman and Mem
hers of House and Senate Guests
at Banquet at Raleigh-Swan Songs
by ex-Secretary shaw and Gen.
GrOsvenor-The Speakers,

tive J. Hampton Moore Of Pennsylvania,
the members Of the Five O'Clock Club OF
Philadelphia, and the Gridiron Club, of
Washington, prominent members Of Con-
gress and distinguished citizens of the
Quaker City were brought together at one
of the most elaborate and well-appointed
dinners OF The legislative season at the
Raleigh Hotel last night To the atten-
tion of these guests was brought the fact
that while Philadelphia has succeeded,
with the aid of the Rivers and Harbors
Committee of the House, in securing an
appropriation providing for thirty-foot
channel in the Delaware River and was
grateful therefor. that city would not
be satisfied until provision has been made
for a survey Of thirty-fve feet in that
river.
II WAS primarily for the joint purpose
OF expressing the gratitude of the citi-
zens of Philadelphia for the favor grant
ed and their ambition for a stim deeper
waterway TO the ocean, that Representa-
tive Moore arranged last nights banquet.
But while this serious theme formed the
basis Of the evenings speeches, IT was
not allowed TO interfere in the slightest
degree with the promotion of good fei-
lOwship and better acquaintance between
the representatives Of the two cities and
the country at large who were present
Burton Tells His Troubles.
Representative Burton, of Ohio, the
chairman Of the Rivers and Harbors Com
mittee. was given an opportunity 10 ex-
plain at length the difficulties and perpIex-
titles that beset his committee in cutting
down TO a reasonable limit the enormous
demands made by all parts of the country
for Improvement of waterways
Speaker Cannon added. by his presence
and short speech. to the interest of the
occasion. and numerous other members Of
Congress were called upon for short i'm
pTomptu talks.
Interspersed through these post-prandiaI
efforts were songs by members OF the two
clubs, which added greatly 10 the gayety
of things.
But from wholly sentimental point of
view the dinner was made noteworthy BY
the fact that il drew forth the swan songs
Of the retiring Secretary Of the Treasury.
Leslie NJ. Shaw, and Congressman Gros-
venor of Ohio
Mr. Shaw was one of the guests Of
honor through the earlier part of the
banquet and when he made his departure.
at the beginning of the speechmaking. the
spontaneous tribute that was accorded
him developed into an incident of more
than ordinary interest.
Mr.. shaw Called Upon.
Mr.. Shaw was the first speaker called
upon by Representative Moore. who off,
ciated as toastmaster. and IN response
the retiring Cabinet member dwelt on the
pleasure he had derived from his associa-
tons with the public men OF the Capital.
making no concealment Of his regret that
the course of events took him from this
sphere of action.
As he finished talking, Mr.. Shaw passed
among the guests, shaking hands and bid
ding all farewell.
Just at that moment some one started
the refrain, Say Au Revoir. but Not
Good-by,' and the air was taken up by a
hundred voices and carried along until
the eX-Secretary made his exit. Then one
hearty cheer. accompanied by the waving
of napkins, sounded the last note OF fare
well
Congressman GrosvenOr attempted to
slip away unobserved but his host was
too keen Of eye, and the Ohio veteran was
brought quickly to the attention of the
guests. who responded Immediately with
q salute Of esteem that must have made
the generals heart beat much faster. He
replied with a fellcitious speech.
Mr.. BurtOn's Remarks.
Representative Burton. in the course Of
his remarks. referred to his service OF
twelve years en- the Committee on Rivers
and Harbors. during nine Of which he had
been chairman and desired most Of all the
education of the people on the policy and
methods Of the government in this re-
gard stating that the American people
are busy people. and are likely TO accept
superficial information upon important
subjects outside Of their own particular
branches OF endeavor. When men under
stand each other or when great public
policies are carefully studied. misunder-
standings and prejudices are destroyed
and wiser course is sure TO result. He
spoke Of transformation relating TO river
and haTb0r legislation. No legislation en-
acted by Congress was more generally /
misunderstood.
Money Carefully Disbursed
As an illustration. the impression has
gained acceptance that large share Of the |
for the Improvement Of waterways IS ex- /
pended upon Insignificant streams An
examination of this kind of expenditures
for 1902 showed that in a bill of S65, coo. 900. /
only S300,o0o or $4,000 was apportioned to /
20 rivers and creeks Of minor importance. /
while in the bin just passed. amounting
TO @e000, the total amount was less 4
than 100000 On the other hand, many
tr-e.rrr s.rFHl Of Il.
the most helpful undertaken by the Fed /
eral government. He also mentioned /
prevalent opinion that the bin was the f.
result or compromise or log-rolling.
Committee Tries to Be just.
It has been. he said. the aim Of the
Committee on Rivers and Harbors 10 rec
ommend appropriations IN accordance with
general rules and with the utmost care
that all localities receive just and equal
treatment There has been a constant
cndeavor 10 examine all requests for an
preparations and decide upon them in ac-
cordance with their merits. Il has been
thought fair 10 give attention to those
not streHuously pressed by delegations or
by Congressman, as we'll as TO those
which have had earnest support.
Another principle INTENDED TO be OBJ 4
served is that "a selection should be made l
and pending improvements Of the great /.
est merit. should be pressed TO con1pIe- n
ton instead Of making partial provision \
for a plurality of projects, and this even II
when those not selected are Of similar II
merit. n
other Speakers.
Among the others who made short I
speeches were Senator Scott. Of West
Virginia; MayOr-eIect John r. Reyburn
OF Philadelphia: Congressman Champ