The Washington herald., 1909-05-09

John Jay Edison, at the banquet given
President Taft by the business men Of
Washington. al the New Willard last
night spoke as follows:
MY. President; Your presence here to
night is keenly appreciated. and great
pleasure and value are attached TO the
occasion.
1t is the f7st time IN the memory OF
any OF our people that the President has
accepted an invitation 20 dinner, 10 meet
and confer with the citizens Of Wash
ington upon District matters. The R.
terest you have SHOWN al this early .ls,e
II your administration IS unprecedented
and quickly inspires the citizens OF Wash
ington with the belief that a clearer and
Q more correct understanding VIII be
brought about as 10 the true relation of
the Federal and local governments. While
The nation. we are sure, feels a great
pride and interest in the nations Capt.
tai the administration CT purely munich
pal domestic affairs has often not been
understood by the country, nor even by
Congress.
Successful Government.
Our present governent has been. IN
the main. the most successful municipal
government in this country. In the tAirty
years OF its history not a single instance
OF scandal has occurred. ror a hint Of
corruption, nor OF the existence OF rings
Practically every dollar expended by the
District authorities shows value received,
q striking contrast, We believe. TO the
experience OF other cities throughout the
country.
Yet With this good record. the defect
referred 10 exists, which is growing more
complicated as our population and i'm
po-tance increase, and tAat is, IN not
fixing a demarcation between what IS
properly intended 10 be a Federal con-
troll and what should properly and wisely
be accorded the people Of Washington. in
the administration Of the government. in
purely local affairs, such as hospitals.
penal institutions. police and fire regula-
tons. and especially schools and char
tiles
Whenever It is apparent that any i'm
provement can be made n any branch OF
IN any detail Of the machinery OF the
government, il VIII be wise 20 make the
change. unless II is plain that the effort
10 do so is for the time being likely 70
endanger the main structure.
Mr. President. this dinner was rendered
10 you by the Board Of Trade and the
Chamber Of Commerce on behalf Of and
representing all the citizens OF the Dis
trict- The Board OF Trade was organ
lied about twenty years ago. and the
Chamber Of COmmerce has had several
years OF activity. Il was soon found,
after the establishment Of the present
government that there was 10 way in
which the people OF Washington could
collectively voice their sentiments on local
public matters Several Intellectual meth
eds were adopted, and, finally, the Board
Of Trade was organized L is not a
trade body, as its name would imply. II
has proved almost wholly 10 have been
engaged in civic effort. It numbers over
100 publiC-splrited citizens. embracing
practically all reputable professions and
business occupations.
1t has always been the purpose Of the
organization 10 consider carefully ali
questions arising in civic matters and
never 10 declare itself on any subject
Intil certain that It's position was right
The effect has been that the 6rganization
enjoys the confidence Of the general and
local governments and the public Il has
done splendid constructive work and Sc
cured many good results.
The Chamber OF Commerce. with g
large number OF members. was organized
more particularly 10 correct a really neg
lected branch OF public effort in the com
Ee-cial. manufacturing. and business in
terests Of the District, and It also en-
cages in many civic activities. In the
short time since its organization much
has been accomplished by its Efforts. and
the city's material business interests and
Importance thereby have made substan-
tial progress and Improvement Il has
made intelligent and comprehensive plans
fos the future, and these plans, we feel
cCrGleat. VIII prove valuable and sue
cessf-i-
4 Good Citizenship.
We feel sure. Mr. President. that we
have in both these bodies and in the
citizenship OF Washington, a people who.
IN character, culture. public sprit ua-
triotisTn. and philanthropy. viii compare
favorably with the citizenship OF any. city
IN the nation
so impressed are We with this innova-
ton, and the fruitful results that are
certain 10 follow. that 7 venture to sug-
gest that this happy occasion may. estab-
lish an annual function, where the people
may meet the President and confer about
what has been accomplished and what
IS the best way TO accomplish the most
in the coming Of each year. II should
be the yearly milestone in the progress
and welfare OF the District Of Columbia
7 believe, If this suggestion is carried
cut, it viii be looked forward 70 each
year with the greatest possible pleasure.
as the greatest event Of the year TO the
|eItizens of Washington, and in the best
-aterest OF the nations Capital
The Supreme Court OF the District Of
Columbia has Federal and local 5urisdic-
ton. IN this respect il differs from any
other court in the United States. and.
therefore. Il has become the custom TO
appoint Jurists. part from tne states and
part from the District Of Columbia.
''Mr- Justice Stafford was appointed
from Vermont By President Roosevelt
May l, 1soAjust I've years ago.
IN this time he has become well ac-
qUainted with the people Of Washington !
and with District aIairs-more so. orob- /
ably, than any OF his predecessors or
associates in the same length Of tine.
I'VE have learned 10 respect and es-
TEEN him as an able. upright iudSe; =
scholarly, cultured gentleman. a splendid 4
citizen, and an Ideal neiShbor and friend
8fr. Justice Stafford"
DR.. Stewart Appointed.
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