The Washington herald., 1909-05-09
4 NATIONAL CITY
ALONG BROAD Lines
Continued from Page One.

3
form as against the one-headed
form, I have reached no conclusion.
Speaks of Responsibility.
Probably three men are better pro
icnged applause) where they have real
legislative functions to perform, but
where there are none such and where the
responsibility should be concentrated. the
single head is better"
The President paid a splendid tribute to
the Washington Of a century hence. While
( disclaiming to be a man of imagination.
he drew a beautiful picture of the artistic
and architectural development to come.
lie spoke OF magnificent system of
parks, which would unite the Mall the
Potomac Flats. Rock Creek Park. and the
Soldiers Home grounds. He declared the
/ future Of the Capital was a vision he was
fond Of conjuring Up.
With brimming hunor and assured
/ touch he said he knew the local atmos-
phere- well he had not lived in Wash
ingfon very long as some OF those present
would reckon time. but. according to an
/ exchange of notes. he had lived here
longer. than Justice Stafford This sally
brought forth great laughter.
"Oh. yes: ] know local atmosphere.
have invested some money in Washington
real estate without getting a dollar out
4 Of II; I have bathed in Potomac mud IN
a bathtub: I have lunched on steamed
oysters at Hsrvey's: I have attended
/ baseball games with sunny Jim and
cultivated a love for tail-enders. SO
( have gained some local feeling.
And so I look upon these rotund
forms in front of me. which give eyi-
/ 6ence Of prosperity: cannot believe that
YOU are caitias and slaves Q-aughteT.)
I an 8 nationalist. This city IS the
/ homo OF the government CT A nation
: Washington il was, with others. who
/ insisted that the home OF the govern
ment should be By representatives OF
I s00oe 0a0 Those who came 10 live here.
sho chose This city as their home. came
with their eyes open. The city IS admin
/ istered not upon the principles OF ordi-
nary government To have the govern
ment you must trust the representatives
/ OF these So,0oo, COZ"
The Right Of Petition.
The right Of petition was the Presi-
dents solution Of the problem Of Dis
{ trict representation. lie said il could be
used as an instrument 10 reach Congress
and the Executive. and would not prove
/ Ineffective
The occasion vas dramatic On ros-
trum backed with palms and dOgwood
Justice Stafford addressed the President
directly He stood across the hall He
! made an elaborate and convincing speech
paid a tribute TO the city and It's people
and earnestly urged the conservation OF
+ the local spirit and local interest. HIS
remarkably sympsthe;ic. magnetic. and
+. musical voice was hea-d 20 splendid aG-
I vantage.
re pleaded for representation Why
should the recorder OF deeds IN the Dis
trict be man from California" h
asked IN purely local affairs. why
should not home rule prevail Why
should NOT local Offices be filed by-locaI
men:
These people 50 completely identified
with Washington constitute an element
/ that should not be overlooked II Is they
who suffer most from the encToachlng
! spirit Of bureaucracy. Even now Il Is
/ proposed 10 place the 5ails schools, ana
/ hospitals under national bureaus.
The District has no representation in
/ Congress It's interests are intrusted TO
unf-niliar hands, which have no especial
I interest In Washington Ignorance in
/ Congress on tie subject Of the District
would excite laughter. if not tears
Beautiful Banquet Hall.
The great banquet hall of the Willard
+ las never looked more brilliant or beau
tiful. Greenery was everywhere. One
walked into a veritable garden. through
/ maze OF palms. Of American Beauty
roses, OF dogTood. Jessamine. and honey
suckle vine The spring blossoms met
TIE eye on all sides The United States
Marine Band was hidden from view be-
yond a heavy hedge Of palms. and the
walls were heavily banked with vines
I The vines aspired TO the ceiling and
tl,ickly covered the blank spaces. 1t was
a dinner IN the woods" as one merry
banqueter expressed it.
JUST stafford was introduced by
d
Joint . stee Of civic trade orgsni-
zations, uy ier the auspices Of which
the dinner vas given He made a brief
address. in which he spoke Of the fine
local spirit now IN evidence IN the
District. and referred especially to
achievements on the part Of the citi-
zens IN civic directions. He urged the
desirability of q well-dedned line Of
2 y7r.--- 10, r1g
national and affairs wholly local
The banquet was notable in its every
aspect It emphasized the fact that
the President Of the United States IS
the real head OF the government OF
the District Of Columbia and its ruler.
IN 50 far as the District has g ruler
Not since the days Of Ulysses s. Grant
has any President taken a deeD. con-
tinuous. and active interest IN the local
affairs Of the CaDital
Grant was behind Alexander R Shepherd
IN the wonderful work he wrought Ad-
ministrations have come and gone since
but the Presidents have been so over
Yheimed by national policies, national
politics. and affairs of state that, although
undoubtedly feeling more than a passing
interest in the National City, they have
rarely given it more than passing attea-
ton Usually the Presidents concern IN
Washington has developed too near the
close of his term to become a potent fac
tor in District affairs
Manifested Early Interest.
William Howards Taft, at the very
threshold of his administration, mani
tested a lively interest in the District
government and the future of the city
beautiful. and it was the public knowl-
edge OF this interest that led to the ten
de-ing Of this dinner and cordial ac-
ceptance Of the invitation formally ex-
tended.
The speakers table ran the entire
length Of the banquet hall The President