Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-12
INITIAL BANQUET GIVEN
CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE AS sHOsT.
Distinguished Speakers Elaborate on
Current Topics-List Of the
Guests Present.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

correspondence
ALEXANDRIA, Va. February IL. 1908
One hundred and thirty-five of Alex
andria's most representative business
men last night sat down to the initial
banquet given by the chamber Of COM
merce at McBurney's Hall. The affair
exceeded the expectations of the most
sanguine. During the evening Speeches
were made by President w. W. Finley
of the Southern Railway Company.
Representative John Sharp Williams Of
Carlin of this city and Mayor Frederick
J. PAN Of this city. All of the speeches
were very entertaining. 1t was
o'clock this morning before the banquet
closed. and those departing were pro-
fuse in their expressions Of regard and
esteem for the thriving organization
under whose auspices the banquet was
given.
The members of the organization and
their friends assembled in the rooms of
mittee. consisting of Messrs. A. D.
Brockett, F. S. Harper and George D.
Hopkins. brought the Washington dele
cation down on the palace car Mount
before 0 o'clock the members and
guests proceeded to the banquet hall.
which had been converted into n veri-
table fatryland. The tables were ar
ranged in e" shape. while all four
walls and the ceiling were almost OBJ
scured from view by smilax. and hun
dreds of miniature electric bulbs of
various colors added to the gradeur of
the scene. On all sides were towering
palms. The tables were exQuisitely
decorated with ferns, banquet lamps
and hundreds of tiny electric bulbs.
When the assemblage had been raped
to order by President w. A. Smoot. jr.,
the secretary. Mr. j. T Preston. read let
Daniel. SenatorSThomas s. Martin. Com
missioner H. B. +. Mcfarland. Commits
sioner Henry l.. West and Capt. j. ].
Morrow, and others, in which they ex-
pressed their regret at not being able to
attend.
Welcoming Address. ,
In a few remarks President w. A.
Smoot jr, introduced Representative c.
c. Carlin. who delivered an address of
welcome on behalf Of the chamber of
commerce When Mr.. Carlin arose it was
the signal for long applause. He stated
that the people must see that the railroads
do not discriminate. The speaker then
read an article written by him. in which
he showed the wonderful development of
the south in recent years. He next intro
duced President Finley, and referred to
Representative Williams as standing for
equal rights for all and special privileges
for none.
Mr.. Finley expressed pleasure at being
present. after which he referred to the
fact that Washington and Lee were init
mately connected with this historic old
city. Mr.. Finley then delved into railroad
matters which were listened TO with rapt
attention by the gathering. He stated
that the regulation OF the railroads has
been political rather than economical. n
said that formerly the railroads were ap-
pealed to in politics. This. he declared
Is no longer done, and is now thing of
the past.
Referring to the question of whether the
federal government or the state has a
that the matter has been in the courts for
some time past. and the day was not far
distant when 1t will be finally adjusted
The speaker declared that the American
people are entering upon a new era. One
of the fundamental principles is. he said,
that a railroad company differs not from
any other business institution. The speak
er told his hearers that railroads have no
mysterious ways in which they can draw
for funds. He added that persons desir-
ing investments in railroad securities were
guided solely by the existing conditions OF
the road. He also stated that the invest
ors want a fair return for their money.
In speaking Of the financial question the
speaker declared that the stringency in
the money market was due to lack OF
on the part OF the people In
corporation securities.
The guests of the evening were then
welcomed on behalf of the city by Mayor
Frederick ]. Paff. His remarks were re-
ceived with applause.
Address by Representative Williams.
alive John Sharp Williams. Owing to