The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-31
Appreciation of Work of
mcfarland and West
Is Shown.
FAREWELL AFFAIR
is GREAT SUCCESS
Representative Citizens Gather to
Take Part In Presentation
of Tributes.


farewell 10 Commissioners Mace band
and West. Today the retiring G mis-
Eioners are reviewing with plet / %an6
DardOnable pride the reception accord
ed them at the District building last
night, a voluntary tribute 20 their worth
as public servitors and a testimonial to
the esteem in which they are held by
their feilow-citizens.
In retiring to private life they take
with them the assurances, spoken by
John Joy Edison and echoed by all pres
ent. of appreciation Of their past en-
deavors and hope for their future sue
cess.
No public function ever given in
Washington excelled in good will the
tribute paid Commissioners mcfarland
and West last night.
Representative Gathering.
Gathered at the District building was
n body of men representing the best IL
terests OF the National Capital and In
Guiding the official heads Of the Federal
and municipal governments. bankers,
capitalists, real estate and business
men, and representatives of every citi-
zcns' association and civic organization
IN the District of Columbia. The pres
ence of a number OF beautifully gown
occasion
The reception began promptly at 7.3O
o'clock The guests were presented by
Cuno II. Rudolph, chairman, and +. A
Fenning, secretary Of the reception COM
mittee- In the receiving line were Com
nssiOners mcfarland, J. V. Judson,
Mr. Justice Thomas, H Anderson. for
mer Commissioner NJ NJ Parker, E. s.
Parker. Justice Job Barnard. John JOY
Edison, William F. GUIDE, Rabbi L.
stern. Dr. L. NJ. Gallaudct. A. 3.
Browne, the Rev. William T. Russell,
Chief Justice stanton. J. Peelle. George
p Hamilton, Scott c. Bone, and Clar-
snoe Z. Norment.
The Presentation.
In the presentation OF gsfts-the NJ
cleus Of a law library to Commissioner
MscfarlaDd and a magnificent silver
service to Commissioner West-Jo Ohm JOY
Edison brought to mind the achieve
ments Of the retiring officials. appre-
citation for which was shown by the
applause OF his references TO what Com
misEioners mcfarland and West have
done for Washington.
Among the great projects begun and
executed under their administration
are the erection of the Municipal build
ing, the filtration plant, the HighNay
bridge. the Union Station, and others
OF almost equal Importance.
Summing up these results, Mr.. Edison
said:
Citizens who accept public office,
great trust and responsibilities, as you
have. as rule. make private sacrifices
FOR public duty. You are clearly no
exception to this rule. You have held
these Offices for many OF the best years
Of your lives during which you have
been subject 10 criticism, made too Of
ton in bad faith. or by these who wished
their private interests unduly sUbserved.
Further. Il IS too frequently the case
that faithful efficient, and honest public
servants, holding important positions,
after having accomplished much for the
peOple-pass out of Office unnoticed-
without expression OF approval or ap-
probation OF the valuable services they
have rendered. We wish it to be other
wise in regard % you, and we hope
that such a change may come about, in
the attitude Of the people toward their
officers. that a greater number Of
, qualified men may be induced to make
private sacrifices for public duty, so
that our general and local governments
may have the service Of the best.
For all the results achieved by YOU
We make our grateful acknowledge
rnent- Appointed as you were under the
organic law as residents Of the Dis
trfct. you have reflected credit upon our
whole citizenship.
your fellow-cltizens are pleased "a
know that you are TO remain residents
Of Washington: IN the new fields OF
labor upon which you are about 10 en-
ter we heartily and sincerely wish you
the greatest possible success. and in ali
md
contentment
Happily, these expressions OF graft
tude, good VIII, and appreciation occur
during the holiday season and harmon
ine perfectly with the spirit OF the hour
and emphasize the occasion"
Following Mr. Edison, Commissioner
Mscfarland made his speech Of accept
ance- He said:
Speech Of Acceptance.
no more appropriate or acceptable
ztft could have been made, and your
words have brought out the loving
Kindness back OF it which deeply moves
my gratitude.
1T Is all OF piece with the steady,
sympathetic support given by the clti-
zens OF the District. without which and
the cordial cooperation Of all others
in the District government what has
been accomplished could not have been
done.
The office. as YOU know never
sought. would not have been held 50
long but for the unexamplcd oppor-
tunity OF service which the past decade
gave. and the constant assistance and
announcement Of the citizens within
and without the District building You
who are here tonight truly represent
the men and women who have never
failed 10 respond to every appeal OF
civic duty.
AS ] have assorted at the CapltoI