Evening star., 1909-05-09
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cleanliness of the present municipal gov
ernment and declared that the time has
come for clear understanding of the eX-
tent of the authority of the national gov
ernment and of the local residents IN the
local governing machinery.
Justice Stafford, who followed him. dis
cussed at length the history of the DIS
trict government the successes of the
present form and the important defects
which should be remedied. He PLEADED
for the granting of representation for the
District In the Senate and House, on the
ground that there is at present lack
of intelligent legislation for the District.
Many times through his address he was
enthusia stically applauded. and 1t was
evident that he voiced the sentiments of
a large number of those present.
Talked Twenty Minutes.
Then President Taft was called upon
While no subject was set for him. the
previous addresses indicated to him what
his theme was expected to be. And he
talked for twenty minutes In his usual
frank and forceful way. at times agree
fng with Justice Stafford. at other times
directly contradicting him. And shout
went up when he declared that he did
not like the picturng of Washinstonians
as bearing a heavy load, when as mat
ter of fact, they are the envy of the citi-
Eens of every other city in the nation.
Reception Precedes Banquet.
The honors to the chief executive OF
the nation began with a reception to him
IN the room adjoining the banquet hall
on the tenth floor of the Willard Hotel.
The President went from the White
House to the cast entrance of the hotel
IN his automobile aand. accompanied by
his military aids, Col Spencer Cosby and
Capt. Archibald Butt. was quickly es-
Corted to the top floor of the hotel
During the reception Col COSBY pre-
pented the guests to the President. AS
Col Cosby had been Engineer Commis-
sioner for several months. and in that
capacity had come In contact with a large
number of the business and professional
men of the city, he personally knew near
ly all of them.
Shortly before o'clock the guests be-
gan to file into the banquet hall. Men,
hers of the joint committee OF arrange
ments from the two trade organizations
and of the joint reception committee
waited outside to form the escort to the
President and his party. With President
Taft were John JOY Edison and Theodore
w Moves. Vice President James s. Sher-
man was escorted by William F: Guide.
The banquet hall was veritable bower
of flowers. Its walls were practically COW
cred with American beauty roses. dog
wood. apple blossoms, honeysuckie ana
other Towering plants with palms and
other green's as background. The cell
ing was also hidden in profusion OF
evergreen and fresh leaves from the
orchards and forests.
The President and the principal guests
sat at long elevated table along one
side of the room and the others at the
banquet occupied tables that filled the
room. Each table had as a centerpiece
magnificent bouquet of roses
Hidden behind a wall Of palms was the
Marine Band under the leadership of
musicians furnished steady strains of mel
ody during the serving of the elaborate
menu.
At the Speakers Table.
John Joy Edison. chairman of the joint
committee presided, seated In the center
of the long table that ran along the west
side of the room. At his right sat Presi-
dent Taft and at his left was Vice Pres
ident Sherman.
The others at the speakers table were
Speaker Cannon, Secretary of Commerce
and Labor Masel. Postmaster General
Taylor of Ohio. Burleson of Texas. Camp
bell Of Kansas, Smith of Michigan. Oh
eott of New York. Vreeland of New York
and Pearre of Maryland. Commissioners
Macfarland. West and Judson. Clarence
#. Norment. Edward Mclean, James F.
oyster, Arthur c. Moses Theodore w.
Noyes. ]. Fl. Small. president of the
Board of Trade; w. F. GUIDE. president of
the Chamber of Commerce; Charles ].
Bell. Scott c. Bone, Allen D. Albert. jr.,
Charles c. Glover and D. ]. Callahan.
1t was 10 o'clock before the menu was
finished and then Chairman Edison raped
for silence. In an Introductory address
he said:
Chairman Edson's Remarks.
Chairman Edison said:
Mr.. President: Your presence here to-
night is keenly appreciated. and great
pleasure and value are attached to the
occasion.
1t is the first time In the memory of
any of our people that the President has
accepted an invitation to dinner to meet
and confer with the citizens of Washing
ton upon District matters. The interest
you have shown at this early date in
your administration is unprecedented, and
quickly inspires the citizens of Washing
ton with the belief that a clearer and
more correct understanding will be
brought about as to the true relation
While the nation, we are sure, feels
great pride and interest in the nations
capital. the administration of purely
municipal domestic affairs has often not
been understood by the country, nor even
by Congress
Our present government has been in the
main, the most successful municipal gov
ernment in this country. In the thirty
years of its history not a single instance
of scandal has occurred. nor hint of cor
ruption. of the existence of rings.
Practically every dollar expended by the
District authorities shows value received
"a striking contrast, we believe. to the
experience of other cities throughout the
country.
Yet, with this good record. the defec,
referred to exists. which is growing more
complicated our population and i'm
portance increase, and that is in not
fixing a demarcation between what is
properly intended to be federal control
and what should properly and wisely be
accorded the people of Washington in the
administration of the government in pure
ly local affairs. such hospitals penal
institutions police and fire regulations,
and especially schools and charities.
When a Change Is Needed
Whenever II is apparent that any i'm
provement can be made in any branch
or in any detail of the machinery of the
government IL Will be wise 10 make the
change, unless IL is plain that the effort
10 do so Is. for the time being. likely TO
endanger the main structure.
Mr.. President: This dinner was ten
dered to you by the Board of Trade and
Chamber OF Commerce on behalf of and
representing all the citizens of the Dis
trct. The Board of Trade was organized
about twenty years ago and the Cham
ber of Commerce has had several years
of activity. 1t was soon found. after
the lishment of the present govern