The Washington herald., 1909-04-14

Werner Koch. the venerable publisher
ana proprietor OF Dss Washington Journal.
a German weekly newspaper. was the
central figure az a Kommers held al the
saengerbund Han last night. al which
more than 200 representative German cit
izens OF this city participated.
The occasion was the seventy-hfth
birthday anniversary OF Mr.. Koch. and
the fitieth anniversary OF his continued
ownership Of the only German newspaper
in the Capital OF the United States.
Tributes in song and speech were paid
70 the dean Of this citys practical print
ers and newspaper proprietors. and tokens
in commemoration OF the event were Of
feTed 10 him from all sides, with senti-
ments OF the highest esteem and sinoerest
I love.
Throughout the celebration Mr.. Koch
/ occupied the place Of honor at the right
| o. George ". Spier. the chairman, over
come by feelings 70 such an extent that
/ he was able 10 utter but a few words IN
| appreciation OF the honors paid him.
/ Not only were Mr. Koch's immediate
friends al the Kommers, but every Ger
man society had It's representative there
10 bring their testimonials OF love and
good wishes. The Congress Of the United
States had its representative there. and
/ the German Embassy. the Chamber OF
/ Commerce, the Northeastern Saengerbund
or New York, and other societies and IN
I dividuals were represented.
| The regular Tuesday evening rehearsal
/ Of the Saengerbund had been dispensed
with By Prof. Henry Xander, the musical
/ director Of the society. IN order 10 enable
the members 10 take part in the ceiebra-
ton The hall was tastefuIly decorated
with cut flowers, and around the banquet
boards were seated those who had come
70 homer Mr.. Koch.
Some OF Those Present.
George W. Spier presided as toastmas-
ter. Werner Koch sitting at his right and
Joachim Won Ernst. attache Of the Ger
man Embassy, al his left Others Occu-
pying seats at the table OF the guest OF
/ honor We're Hon Richard BarthOldt Rem
resentative from Missouri: Hon. Simon
/ Wolf, Rabbi DR.. Stern, Of the Eighth
! Street Temple: Mai LOefler. Or. KOber,
| Christian Teurich. GuStave Lansburgh.
/ Fred Imhof DR.. Christian Strack. John
Waldman. Henry Xander, and others.
| Chairman Spier called the assembly 70
order. stating its purpose. and in elo-
quent words dwelt on the earnestness,
! perservering. and honest qualities of Mr..
Koch. Mr.. Spier said that the Germans
Of this city owed Mr. Koch a debt OF
gratitude for the services given by him
/ in the cause OF the German language,
sentiments. and manners.
Werner Koch. deeply affected. ex-
pressed his appreciation in a few scarce
" audible words.
Elected n Life Member.
John waidman. president Of the Saeng-
erbund. congratulated Mr.. Koch. and an
nounced that the Saengerbund at a spe-
cial meeting had elected him a life men,
Der OF that organization. AIr. wald-
man presented Mr.. Koch with a hand
somely engraved parchment membership
certificate
/ A bouquet Of flowers. bearing the colOrs
OF the Columbia Turn verin and its
best wishes. was presented 10 Mr.. Koch.
accompanied by three rousing cheers. %
proposed by Chairman Spier.
Simon Wolf, former Minister 10 Turkey,
congratulated Mr.. Koch and his paper
and said that the Journal had always
been a clean newspaper which would be
read in the home by woman and child
without blushing; "a paper that has
helped to upbuild the masses" At thf
conclusion OF his remarks Mr. Wolf pre-
sented Mr.. Koch with a handsome silver
loving cup. inscribed as follows: Pre-
sented 10 Werner Koch as a token OF
esteem by his friends; 1884. April IS. 1909 d
Representative Bartholdt paid his re-
spects TO the German press. which. he
said had the moral courage TO speak rs
opinion In the matter OF defending the
principles OF personal liberty. he con
graduated M. Koch IN the name OF thS
Germans OF the United States.
DR.. Christian Strack, editor OF Das
Washington Journal. reviewed the diff
culties which the paper had to meet. and