Evening star., 1909-07-08
OWN OUR EMBASSY BUILDINGS
PLAN URGED AT AMERICAN
DINNER IN LONDON.
Remarkable Banquet Attended by
Over 400 Travellers Given by
the Embassy Association. i.

LONDON. July S.--The largest and live
iiest OF three American public dinners
held in London during the past week was
that OF the American Embassy Associa-
ton at the Hotel Cecil last night. More
than 400 Americans. most OF them travel
ers from all parts OF the country, ac-
cepted the invitation which the associa-
ton extended to all male travelling Ameri-
cans who happened to be in London on
this date.
Between the courses the diners sang
patriotic songs. Afterward they toasted
the king. the President and Amba ssador
Reid. The unusual character OF the din
ner excited great curiosity on the part
OF the London newspapers as well as in
terest IN the United States. The banquet
was entirely at the expense Of the as
ISOLATION and this in itself was considered
a great novelty.
An explanation Of the associations pur-
poses was tersely given by President e.
Clarence Jones, who acted as toaStmaster,
and who. after explaining that 1t was de-
sired to promote the acquisition by the
United States Of permanent homes for fts
ambassadors In foreign capitals. said thar
the executive committee intended to or
expected soon to have 10000 sympa-
thizers. The association, he said. was
purely a business mans organization.
Citizens Were Welcome.
so long as our representatives abroad
are compelled annually TO expend large
sums from their private fortunes" he
continued, so long will our citizens feel
that their rights In embassies are uncer-
tain that such expenditure tends to give
an ambassador too much independence to-
ward his compatriots and thereby renders
him less useful to them.
we believe that all our ambass sadors.
no matter what their means, should re-
side in some permanent home which the
government should supply, where citi-
zens may feel at liberty to go with the
same feeling as to the White House"
Mr.. Jones' speech met with enthusias-
tic applause. as did that Of his CO.
worker, Frederick Townsend Martin, who
argued that the Presidents choice of
ambassadors should not be limited to a
few men with large. incomes Odfous
comparisons regarding the extravagance
OF this or that ambassador should be
terminated Continuing. Mr.. Martin
said: Today there are discomfort and
unhappiness among travelling Americans
The embassies have become courts OF
social inquiry, OF which the ambassador
Is the lord high justice. against his will"
Samuel Gompers Speaks.
Samuel Gompers. president of the
American Federation of Labor, gave his
unqualified support to the plan. Il would
not have baronial mansion for an am
bassador," he said, but an embassy
that would impress its beholders with
the dignity and strength OF the coun-
try"
Henry Caehard. former president Of
the chamber of commerce in Paris: John
Stewart White OF Philadelphia. Lester
Holme Of New York and DR.. George W.
knight of Columbus Ohio, also made
speeches. and a general discussion fol-
lowed. Among the diners were Bradley
Martin. DR.. Leslie Ward, Prof. Sidney
G. Ashmore of Union College, Echenec-
tady: Henry Phipps. Creighton Webb,
John J. st. Clair and Joseph Ulmar.