The Washington herald., 1909-07-06

The address OF Joseph Williams was
the feature OF the Fourth OF July ceIe-
bration Of the Oldest Inhabitants As
sociation yesterday afternoon in the en-
gine house at Nineteenth and II streets
northwest
Mr.. Williams spoke HIS thoughts. He
wanted to know why It was that every
American citizen was compelled to pay
for entrance into the grounds at Mount
Vernon.
He wanted 70 know by what right the
women's organization known as the
Mount Vernon Association collects an ad-
mission fee from all who visit the home
and last resting place OF washington.
He questioned the organizations right 10
make such charges.
1T is an outrage" shouted Mr. Will
iams, that the American people have
10 pay any body Of men or women for
the right Of entering the portals OF Wash
ington's home. Mount Vernon is a holy
spot II is the last resting place OF the
greatest character history ever produced
What right have these women TO charge
the people visiting there?
Open TO All the People.
Mount Vernon OF all places in this
great country should be free-free to all
II should be open 20 every man. woman.
and child in the nation that they may
so there and learn the story that II
tells. I say 1t is an outrage on the people
Of this republic that this holy ground is
In the hands Of a corporation. Something
should be done 10 stop the practice OF
charging an admission fee. II this can
not be done, Congress should pass a law
compelling the corporation 70 sell the
place 10 the government that the people
may go there and see its beauty and
learn Its meaning. without paying tribute
10 any private association"
Several OF the members objected to the
speakers remarks regarding the women.
but he dlsclaimed any intention OF in
sulting any one and declared he was
making no attack on the individual men,
bers Of the association.
The meeting was a success from every
standpoint. The hall was filed with
members, when x was called 10 order by
Vice President ". r. Smith. The ex-
ercises consisted Of the reading OF the
Declaration OF Independents by y. S.
Hartley. and an address by John B.
Mccarthy -On the Insane Fourth Mr.
cord with the ''newfangled and oficiaI
celebration Of the day
What we want is an old-fashioned
Fourth OF July celebration. with fire.
crackers and Roman candles. Let the
children give vent 10 their peut-up feel
ings. Let US have the old style Fourth
OF long ago. when the birthday OF this
mighty nation was really and truly com
memorated.
Strikes at the Autos.
Those who favor this newfangled
business say that children are killed by
frecrackers. They are. therefore. going
to stop the old way OF keeping the day.
Children are killed and ruined every dav
by these Internal automobiles. but YOU DO
not hear the safe and sane advocates
putting them out OF business. The kind
OF celebrations we are having nowadays
are fakes. and instead OF being sane are
insane"
The address seemed to strike the mem
bers right. for they applauded long and
! loud
Tne following were elected members OF
the organization. J. II. Laurence. 80
| Tenth street southeast. J. II. De Alley,
1232 Pennsylvania avenue northwest;
Matthew Trimble. 1920 Rhode Island ave-
nue. northwest, J. Fitzpatrick, 81 Third
street northwest; Jesse B, Wilson. 1S2;
/ Phelps place northwest, Benjamin T.
Mathiot Bunker Hill road; Thomas He
ney, 134l Third street northwest; L. Rie-
4 bold, Z337 Eighteenth street northwest;
/ William II. Hoeke. 336 c street north
west and John T. Ward, 1Oo0 Massachu-
sets avenue northeast.
| After an election OF Oncers, al which
/ all of the present officers were reelected
/ including President Theodore ". Moves
/ the meeting adjourned to the first floor
/ OF the building. where a buffet luncheon
1 Was SeTVed.