Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-09
FAREWELL TO B|DDLE
Ceremony Today at the District
Building.
TRIBUTE OF COLLEAGUES
Commissioners, Department Heads and
Others Participate.
SEVERAL OF THE ADDRESSES
Presented With Set Of Resolutions
Drafted by Committee Of officials.
Makes Response

drafted oy COMMITTEE OF Omclais.
Makes Response.
Maj. John Biddle. Corps of Engineers,
/ United States army, who was relieved as
Engineer Commissioner Of the District last
week and ordered to duty on the Pacific
coast, was rendered farewell reception In
the board room Of the District building at
| noon today by the Commissioners, heads of
| the various local departments and other en-
p1oyes.
The occasion, although tribute to the
departing officer was sad one. No re-
firing officer of the local government was
ever extended more impressive evidence Of
the esteem and love of his associates and
subordnates in the District building. In
replying to the eulogies Maj. Biddle was SO
affected that he was hardly able to restrain
the tears With a quivering voice he
thanked those who had assembled for their
kind expressions, and made known his deep
regret at severing his connection with the
District and his association with the en-
ployes of the municipality.
At the request of Major Biddle, flowers
and other material tokens Of esteem were
omitted.
Meeting Of Committee.
Before the ceremonies a meeting was held
by a committee of officials composed OF DR..
William Tindall, secretary to the board of
Commissioners; Daniel E. Garges. secretary
to Commissioner Morrow; J. w. Daniel,
special assessment clerk; John r. Garrison,
auditor; c. B. Hunt. corporation counsel;
E. c. Davis, collector of taxes, and T.
Drake, superintendent of insurance and
resolutions were adopted. Collector Davis
was selected to present the same The res
olutions set forth that the officers and en-
ployes of the District Of Columbia, assem-
bled for the purpose, express deep regret
that the detail of Col. John Biddle, Corps OF
Engineers, United States army, as Com
missioner of the District Of Columbia for
longer term than any of his predecessors.
has ended by hts assignment to another post
of duty.
Advancement Of Public Interests.
1--WE desire to express to Col. Biddle," 1t
| was added, that appreciation which we
feel with all the citizens of this District
for his advancement Of the public interests
| under his care, and to congratulate him on
| his successful administration of the Office
of Commissioner.
I'VE remember and will continue to re-
member, the unfailing courtesy which has
characterized his intercourse with US. and
we tender to him, as his friends. our cor
dial wishes for success and prosperity in
| the future In all places and under all cir
cumstances."
The Commissioners and Col. Biddle en-
| tered the room at 1870 O'Clock, and Dr.
Tindall announced that Commissioner Mac
| farland. as president of the board, would
preside.
Mr.. Macfarland's Address.
Commissioner Mcfarland said:
"You have had the longest service and the
greatest opportunity for important work of
any Engineer Commissioner. Your service
so faithfully and zealously rendered, has
been crowned with great success. AL
| though the general public cannot know the
details of our service here. its extent.
| doubled in ten years. or its difficulties and
| rerplexities, It appreciates In general what
| you have done. as the general regret OF
| this hour attests.
| Looking back over six years we can see
the great progress made although we
might not realize 1t from day to day. 1t
! has been the greatest period Of the District
government, not only in physical, but In
moral, constructive work. Unexampled i'm
| provement has been made in the physical
| beauty convenience and wel-being of the
capital. and in its social and economic
| conditions. More and better legislation.
| larger appropriations, greater and more
| harmonious development. have marked this
| period Much remains to done before
| our plans to make this the ideal capital in
all respects are fully executed. but we
l
| accomplished.
Has Done His Part.
| I'm all the general work of. the board of
Commissioners, determining policies, decid-
| ing disputed questions, advocating the Dis
| tricts interests before Congress. and ad-
ministerrng the Districts affairs. you have
done your full part. The recommendations
| you have made to the Commissioners. as
| to the affairs specially assigned to you as
Engineer Commissioner. have been always
well considered, judicious and progressive.
I They gave the board just the basis 1t
needed for Intelligent action, and showed
your thorough grasp Of the duties of the
/ engineer department At the public hear
| ings of citizens so necessary and tlluminat-
/ ing under our form of government, at
| meetings Of citizens associations. and in
spirit OF cooperation which is essential to
i the relations between the Commissioners
| and the citizens. and have helped to main
! tain the good understanding which makes
mon effort for the advancement Of the
| national capital. We wish you could have
remained for the opening Of the District
government building. the union station. the
! sewage disposal system, and the Connecti-
cut avenue bridge. all representing so much
| of what especially turned on your recon-
| mendations. But all your work has been
| SO well done and Is SO well forward that
cess Fortunately, too your successor has
/ been associated with you. has shared your
| purposes and has not only the ability and
/ the spirit, but the knowledge and the ex-
perience requisite for the high Office Of En-
/ gineer Commissioner.
Mr.. Vests Regrets.
Mr.. Macfarland then called upon Commits
| sioner West, who said:
| "It Is with sincere regret that we say
i farewell to Col. Biddle. For nearly five
! years he has been associated with the Dis
| trict government and during this period
has contributed in large degree to the de-
| velopment of the national capital. He has
| been an able. efficient and conscientious
| official His ability has been amply demon
strated in his management of important
engineering problems. and the great works
| which have been brought to successful
completion during his term Of Office will
forever stand as monuments Of his wisdom
and skill The District has gained much
by his association with It's government. He
has labored unselfshly and industriously
always enthusiastic in his endeaver to pro.
mote the material interests Of the city and
equally concerned in its artistic beautifica-
ton. He has stimulated an esprit du corps
in the engineer department which will &c