Evening star., 1909-05-17
FAVOR ANNUAL DINNER
Business Men of Washington
Would Entertain President.
SEE GREAT OPPORTUNITY
Chance for Full Interchange Of
Views Regarding Capital.
SOME EXPRESSIONS OF VIEWS
Suggestion Of John Joy Edison Meets
With Approval Of Trade Bodies
and individuals.
SOME EXPRESSIONS OF VIEWS

An annual dinner. to be given by rep
citizens OF the District OF
Columbia in honor OF the President or
the United States.
A suggestion to this effect, made In
formally during the course Of the re-
cent banquet to President Taft. by John
Joy Edison. chairman Of the COMMITTEES
in charge Of the affair. has met with en-
Endorsement. Members Of the
Board of Trade and the Chamber OF
Commerce and business men Of high
standing In the National Capital who are
not identified with either Of these civic
bodies are strongly in favor OF the
idea.
Let us have an annual affair."" they
say In substance and with unanimity,
"at which the President Of the United
States. whoever he pay be, and the men
who do things in the District Of Co
lumbia may come in contact: where
there may be full and frank inter-
change of views. with respect to the
needs and necessities Of Washington. and
an enhancement of the harmony of per-
sonal and official relations
Suggestion for Annual Dinner.
During the course of his remarks at
the dinner to President Taft Chairman
Edison said:
80 impressed are we with this inno-
walton and the fruitful results that are
certain to follow that venture to sug-
gest that this happy occasion may es.
tablish an annual function, where the
people may meet the President and con-
fer about what has been accomplished
and what Is the best way to accomplish
the most in the coming Of each year. 1t
should be the yearly milestone in the
progress and welfare OF the District OF
Columbia.
Il believe, IL this suggestion Is carried
out, it will be looked forward to each
year with the greatest possible pleasure
as the greatest event OF the year to the
citizens, OF Washington. and In the best
interest Of the nations capital"
evoked enthusiastic applause. The real
test Of the worth of its reception, how
ever, has been evolved In the days that
have elapsed since the banquet.
Mr.. Edson's suggestion evidently fell
on fertile ground. 1t has been and il
being discussed throughout the business
section OF the city. The reiterated sug-
gestion has been made to The Star that
public attention be called to Mr.. Edson's
proposition with the idea OF determining
the sentiment of the representative citi.
zenship of the National Capital with re.
spect to it.
Mr.. Edson's Ideas About It.
The views obtained by q Star reporter
indicate a general unanimity OF senti-
ment for the establishment Of such .
function as an annual affair. Mr. Edison.
who gave expression to the idea which
undoubtedly simultaneously entered the
minds of many Of those present, made
this further comment on the subject 10 q
Star ronortpr TODAY.
I'm accordance with the suggestion ]
made at the dinner given to the Presi-
dent. that that occasion should establish
a function each year hereafter. I would
add that / consider it a great oppor-
tunity in the highest and best interests
of the District of Columbia This was
the first time that any President had
met and conferred with the citizens un-
der similar circumstances. 1t Is very
gratifying, too. and appreciated by all
our people that the President should have
manifested SO early in his administration
an interest in the government and af-
fairs of the District of Columbia IL
followed up and established as an annual
custom, the citizens of Washington show
ing their respect for the chief magistrate
and comforting with him as to what ID
proper and best to be done. the greatest
good and the best possible results GER
tainly would be realized.
In an interview with the President
since the dinner he himself stated that IL
1t was the wish OF the people to meet
him under similar circumstances in con-
ference it would give him pleasure to
accept such an invitation every winter.
Let us hope that the opportunity to do
the right thing and establish such a GUS
and appropriate manner approved and
carried out
What Would Be Accomplished.
There are many arguments advanced BY
those who favor making the dinner to
the President" an annual AFFAIR. which
they think should result In making the
idea equally as attractive to the Execu-
tive as to the representative citizenship
of the District.
1t would permit of the National Capital
honoring. once in a twelvemonth, its most
distinguished resident.
1t would allow a speaker. selected from
among those who are working for the ma
terial advancement and future develop
ment of the District, to present to the
President, with the Endorsement OF his
fellows, what they have agreed upon as
being the most pressing needs OF the COM
munity.
. 1t would give the President opportunity
to reply, so that all might hear; arguing
the case, as it were, from his stand
point: giving expression to the White
House point of view.
Such a gathering, such an Interchange
of views such an exposition of both sides
of the case could not, 1T is argued. result
but to the benefit Of Washington and all
its institutions.
Views of William F. GUIDE.
This is what William F. Guide. presi-
dent of the Chamber of Commerce. had
to say to Star reporter today on the
"No better thing could be conceived for
the welfare of Washington than this an
nual dinner that Is proposed. / am en-
Enthusiastically and absolutely In favor OF
it. You cannot quote me too strongly to
that effect"
Small Indorses Project.
The Endorsement of ]. Henry Small. jr..
president of the Board OF Trade. is equal
ly comprehensive.
II am heartily in favor Of making the
dinner to the President Of the United
States by the citizens Of Washington an
annual affair."" said he. rs
II know of nothing that could be Of
more benefit to the community at large.
it's present and its future development
along the right lines, than an annual In
of views such as is proposed
The proposition has my earnest support.
Dozens of other prominent business men
Of the community spoke along the same