Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-27
CITY CLUB HAS
GLORIOUS TIME
AT HIGH JINkS
ToASTMASTER LEADS GUESTS
MERRY DANCE
DISTRIBUTION OF GIFTS CAUSES
LOTS OF FUN
SpeclaIties of Prominent Members nix
OF in Characteristic Presents, Ae-
eompanled by caustie and
Humorous Comments

Nearly four hundred members or the
Los Angeles City club attended the sec
ond annual Christmas gift Distribution
luncheon yesterday at the Hotel vest
minister. and we're entertained for sew
eral hours by the eloquenee ana iuhu
Of humor Of the toastmaster and santa
Claus, Hon. Lee C. Gates.
Many leading citizens OF Los Angeles
and members Of the club who have oesh
In the limelight of publicity during
the past year were presented with glitS
emblematic of the work done by each
IN connection with his particular spe-
ciaIty. Incidentally many SIDE hghes
were thrown upon the aspirations OF
many prominent members OF the COM
rnunitv. all of whom were grilled mer-
ciIesslv. in a good natured way, by the
toastmaster.
While the entire club gave itself over
IN ratification and merriment many
pointed references we're made In the
various speeches to the serious prob
lens of civic reform and Industrial
and political progress for which the
club stands. -.
BEFORE the toastmaster was intro
duced the club members INDUCED IN an
enthusiastic discussion OF one OF the
questions which is now uppermost IN
the minds of those who have the Wei
fare of the city at heart; viz the
makeup of the board of public works.
The expiration of the term OF office or
D. K Edwards, who has so efiiclently
and thoroughly performed the duties
of his office, will leave vacant place
on the board. Several earnest addresses
were made showing the extreme i'm
portance of the board to the tuture
welfare of the community.
Thomas E. Gibbon presented a reso-
luton, which was unanimously adopted
by the club, requesting Mayor Harper
either to recommend to the council the
appointment of James A. Anderson, or
the reappointment of Mr.. Edwards TO
fill the vacancy.
Water Question All Important
"The question of the owens river
water is one of the most vital to the
future welfare of the city of Los An
geles," said Mr.. Gibbon During the
next few years the board of public
works will be the life blood of the COM
1nunity, and no man should be selected
to a place on that board who Is not
specially fitted or who may in any
sense be subject to political influence"
DIR. John R. Haynes followed Mr.. Glib
bon with a motion to the effect. that
the club have printed and circulated
petitions which, when filled out should
be presented to Mayor Harper request
ing him to appoint to fill the vacancy
either Mr.. Edwards or Mr.. Anderson,
by reason of their experience, peculiar
fitness for the work and unquesttoned
integrity. Both Mr.. Anderson and Mr..
Edwards rose to request that they be
left out of the motion and Judge Glib
bons resolution, but the club members
passed over their objections, and DR..
Haynes motion was carried unani-
mously.
President William J. Hunsaker then
introduced Lee c. Gates, the toast
master and Santa Claus of the occa-
sion, and the real business Of the meet
ing, the presentation of presents began.
Mr.. Gates, well known as a speaker Of
eloquence and ability, was at his best
and kept things bubbling from the time
he took the floor until the meeting was
adjourned. Victim after victim, men
prominent in the public life of this
city, were called before him and mer-
cileSsly grilled, much to the delight of
the rest of the club. Then each re-
cipient of a gift was called upon for
a few remarks and had chance to
6Ct OfCAA Win ALL NAeANOo hAAa NARt ISo
his appreciation of the present re-
ceived. Funny stories and humorous
incidents were related by many OF the
speakers and kept the club In an up
roar Of laughter and applause.
The first victim on the program was
Postmaster Motley H. Flint 1--WE
feel" said Mr.. Gates, that there are
men among us destined for higher
things. This is not a machine, Mr..
Flint, but a governor, which 1 present
to you" The point of the remark and
meaning of the gift We're fully appre-
ciated by his fellow members and by
M. Flint himself, who assured the club
that If he were ever chosen governor
of California he would endeavor to
give as square and efficient service
as had been rendered by the Los An
geles postoffice. Mr.. Flint then spoke
of the work being done by the local
postoffice. I'VE do the greatest holt
day business Of any city in the world"
declared the speaker. In proportion
to our size we do a larger postoffice
business than any other city in the
United States. Prohibitive express
rates account to a large extent for the
volume of our business. The question
of parcels post is now a most vital
one to the people of this nation"
Bee in His Bonnet
LuGu
called forward and presented with a
bonnet crowned with an enormous bee.
The toastmaster called attention to the
fact that last year Mr.. Wallace had
been presented with a bonnet contain
ing a smaller bee. and explained that
the insect had grown.
Arthur Let's of department store
fame was honored with a huge dec
GRATED cabbage, in token Of his fond
ness for orchids. Senator Charles W.
Bell was presented with a large dinner
BELL with which he was requested 10
give the alarm II the rights of the
people of Southern California became
endangered in the state senate. Mr.
Bell replied that occasion for its use
most likely would arise at the coming
session of the state legislature, and
that he would not hesitate to give the
alarm when help was needed.
Senator N. w. Thompson was re-
warded with a certificate of title
drawn up in the form used by the Title
Insurance and Trust company, and
guaranteeing him his title to a seat in
the senate with no encumbrance on
the right thereto except an obligation
to support a direct primary law, an
antf-race track gambling law, a bill
providing for three new superior Judge
ships for Los Angeles county and a
bill securing to Los Angeles the right