Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-02-12

cent lights and from tirle to time strln
orchestra, which was concealed behio
screen, played popular airs, the straiU
of Dixie" eliciting thunders OF sp
plause. At times the assembled com
pany joined in singing songs. WheI
the members of the Chamber of Com
merce and their guests, to the humble
of nearly 100, were seated, Rev. E. V
REGISTER, presiding elder of the Wash
ineton district Of the Methodist Episco
pal Church South, invoked blessing on
the sssemblage.
The menu was as follows
CAnaps, Caviar.
Blue Points, kignonette Cocktail.
Hsut-Sauterne.
Filet de Beuf, D'Uexelles.
Potatoes, Parisienne. Csulihower, Creme.
Asparagus, ViDaigrette.
Philadelphia SQUAD. st. james, Petit fOis'
Champagne.
Salades. Lobster and Chicken.
Pieces Montees. Petit Fours.
Camembert. Bepts.
Cafe. Certez.
Cognsc.
When the coffee and cigars had been
served Mr.. William A. SmOot, jr., pres
ident of the Chamber of Commerce,
arose and announced that he had de-
cidsd To delegate to Representative Car
lin the task of welcoming the speakers.
Mr.. J. T. Preston, the Secretary of The
Chamber of Commerce, then read letters
Of regret from the following;
Governor Claude A. Swanson, Sena-
tor Jno. W. Daniel, Senator Tbos. S.
Martin, Commissioner 81. B. F. Mscfar-
land, Hon. Henry L. West, and Msjor
| Jay J. Morrow, Of the District OF 90
lumbia; Mr. VIM. 81. White, President
Washington Southern Railway; MI.
Clarence P. King, President Washing
ton, Alexandria & Mt. Vernon Ry.;
Mr.. L. Green, Freight Traffic Manager
Southern Railway Company; Mr.. Robt.
10. Wright, General Freight Agent
PenpsylVania X. X. o.; Mr.. T. W.
Gslleher, General Freight Agent Baltl-
more & Ohio r. R Co Mr.. w. P.
Taylor, Traffic Manager, Washington
Southern Ry Co; Mr.. Cuuo Fl. Ru-
dolph, President, Washington Board
OF Trade; Hon. ]. r. Cation, General
Assembly Virginis; Mr.. John A. Faux
ner, Sec'y & COunstl, Lyuchburg Board
of Trade; Hon. Francis l.. Smith,
Alexandris, and others.
When Mr.. Preston had concluded
Representative Csrlin delivered brief
but appropriate address of welcome in
which he referred in complimentary
terms to the two principal speakers OF
the evening, President W. W. Finley,
Of the Southern Railway Company, and
Representative john Sharp Williams,
OF Mississippi, and con,rasted present
and past financial conditions in the
South. Dir. Carlin touched on the sub
ject of railroad legislation and said thst
while the railroads, themselves, were
responsible for much off 1t, he felt sure
that matters would be straightened cut
in time in fair manner. Mr.. Carlin
spOks most epcoursgipgly of the devel-
opment of the South and read interest
ing statistics to show how this section
of the country is growing. he alluded TO
President Finley, of the Southern Rail-
way Company, IS the head of one OF
''ihe greatest corporations in the world"
and referred TO Representative John
Sharp Williams as man who stands
for "equal rights to all and social priv
ileges to none" Mr.. Osrlin's address
was loudly applauded.
Mr.. Carlin was followed BY Mayor
PsG, who in an appropriate address
welcomed the invited guests of the
Chamber of Commerce on behalf OF the
people of Alexandra. Mr.. Finley was
then introduced, and was greeted with
applause. He began his address by
saying that hs was glad to be with the
people at the gateway of the South and
paid pretty tribute to Alexandra. The
speaker d scussed the railroad question
at length. The regulation of the rail-
roads, he declared, has Teen political,
rather than economical. Among other
things, Mr.. Finley said that the inter-
ference of railroads In politics, which
was once welcomed and urged, Was no
longer approved by the public, and that
for the best interests of both, it no
longer existed. His speech was broad
and liberal, holding that railroads should
be required to treat their patrons fairly
and jostly and 10 return should be treat
ed likewise. His plea for fair dealing
on the part Of legislative bodies with the
railroads and other corporate Interests,
in which, he said, the entire public is
concerned, met with hearty appreciation.
Mr.. Finley 10 forceful manner out
lined the policy Of the railroads, and as
serted that they always endeavored 10
keep in touch with The business men.
he was glad of the existence of such an
organization, to which he paid high
tribute.
The hour was late when Representa-
tive Williams arose and thunder of sp-
plause greeted him. His address in the
main was In humorous vein which
throughout provoked merriment. He
made pleasant and humorous illusions to
Alexandria, Mr.. Csrlin, Mr.. Finley and
the railroads and expressed his abiding
faith in the conservative American peo-
pie who believe 10 fairness end justice
to all. He said the railroads had gone
too far in their way and legislation too
far in the other direction, but that 10
time matters between the railroads and
tie people would be properly adjusted.
Mr.. Williams speech was interrupted
by an alarm Of FIRE and though he was
urged to continue, IS the hour wss late
he hronoht his remarks 10 a close greatly