Evening journal., 1909-04-14
DINNER IN HONOR
OF 7. II. MELVIN
Given by Men Of Street and
Sewer Department to
Retiring Director

Thomas IL. Melvin, who ended seven
years Of successful service as a mem-
ber of the Board of Street and Sewer
Directors with his retirement as pres
ident on April 1. was given a compli-
mentary dinner In the Clayton House
last night by employees of the Street
and Sewer Department. Accompany
ing Mr.. Melvin as guests were George
w. Sparks, president of the Street
Board, and Directors John G. Gray and
Charles A. Rudolph.
Mr.. Melvin's ardor In the city's SER
vice. his non partisonship and VIII
mington's need Of more money for
street improvements were the reign
ing topics Of the evening.
Mr. Sparks was toastmaster, and the
speakers were Messrs Gray. Melvin
and Rudolph. Frank w. Pierson, street
commissioners. Leslie V. Christy. secre-
tary Of the Board Of Street and Sewer
Directors. and Daniel Dohl superin-
tendent Of collections. Covers were
laid for 80 or more.
The march 10 the banquet room was
from an upper reception hall. An hour
or more was devoted TO an excellent
menu while an orchestra played lively
airs. With the serving OF cigars and
cigarettes, Mr.. Sparks assumed con-
troll with a eulogy Of Mr.. Melvin and
witty introduction OF Mr.. Gray. Mr.
Gray had kind words for Mr.. Melvins
service as a director and for his in
terest IN the growth of the city. He
then diverted TO present the growing
needs of the city for more paved streets
and for more money for the Street and
Sewer Department. Wilmington would
advance in proportion as its streets
were made attractive. he declared. and
it could compete successfully with adj
joining cities only when it became
thoroughly alive to its needs.
While It was evident that Philadel-
phia had the quantity. It was mex
cusable. he said. that Wilmington
should not have the quality.
Mr.. Melvin Speaks.
Mr.. Melvin was then presented amid
storm OF applause MIR. Melvin ac-
cepted with the warmest feelings the
tributes showered upon him by Messrs
/ Sparks and Cray but he expressed his
embarrassment for his inability TO as
| icend. to their rhetorical heights The
Gray matter in his brain could not he
declared, consistently work when suol
brilliant rhetorical Sparks had beer
discharged by his friend on his left
and such jewels Of thought were n
prospect from the baby member, Mr.
Rudolph, who IS a jeweler. Seriously
he was not capable of expressing his
] feelings for the handsome tributes pait
TO him. It had always ben policy. III
Z asserted. 10 conduct the affairs Of th'
Board OF Street and Sewer Directors az
/ economically as he fould conduct hil
own private business. and he had fol.
lowed that policy as consistently as 4
was in his power
Mr.. Rudolph followed with a brie
address I'm which he designated him
self the baby member. and laude,
/ Mr. Melvin.
And Then the Poems.
Mr.. Pierson read a poem in whicl
the process Of street paving was hu.
morously detailed. Mr. Christy par
ried the demand that he make a speecl
with tho explanation that he alwayi
thought Of the best thing to say TWEEN
/ ty-four hours too late. and accordingly
would not incriminate himself now
AIR. Dohl told a tale Of "A Cat Tha
Returned from the Grave"
The diners then adjourned to al
upper reception room, where A. O. n
Grier read a poem i'm which the char
acteristics OF each employe of tn