The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-16
At Well Appointed Banquet,
Y. M. G. A. Head IS Laud-
ed by Speakers.
DISCLAIMS CREDIT
FOR BIG PROGRESS
Attributes Success of Organization
to Committee Heads and
Members.

Landing him as a typical Washington
business man Of the highest type and
Characterizing the years of his service
in the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton as the greatest investment OF his
life, $50 citizens participated in testt-
mCTal dinner given at the New VIII
lard Hotel last night in honor of Sam
Uel Walter Woodward. The occasion
was in the nature Of A decennisl Cele-
bration Of his presidency o. the Wash
ington Young Mems Christian Assoc
citation.
In the assemblage which gathered to
pay tribute to the work and achieve
ments of Mr.. Woodward were not only
representatives of the organization of
which he is the president and of the
churches or the city. but of every bust
ness interest. Commissioner Henry b.
r. Mcfarland presided as POSTMASTER.
All of the speeches were marked by A
uniform sentiment Of appreciation OF
what Mr.. Woodward has accomplished
in building up the local association, and
Of the example he has set the world
in showing that such an investment as
he has made is a most profitable eX-
pEHQlLuIG Oh Lltle ana IuDHCgr
Testimonial Volumes.
Eight volumes of testimonials, writ
ten by friends of Mr.. Woodward in all
parts of che world, and handsomely
bound in leather, were presented TO him
just before the close Of the evening.
a telegram was received from Presi-
dent-elect Taft, Congratulating him up
on the great work he mas performed
When Mr.. Woodward finally rose TO
speak, the diners Cheered for several
minutes. He began his speech, vislbly
affected by the demonstration.
The large banquet hall Of the Willard
Hotel had been more deliberately deco
rated with flowers than for any similar
occasion which has been held there TINS
winter, when the guests took their seats
last night The table at which MIR.
Woodward set, together with specially
invited guests, occupied the west enI
of the room. II was heavily banked
with roses.
Preparatory to introducing the speak
ers Commissioner mcfarland presented
figures 10 show the enormous growth Of
the Young Mems Christian Association
in Washington between the years Of
1899 and 1903, or in the decade during
which Mr. Woodward has served as
president OF the association.
Associations Growth.
These indicated that the membership
OF the organization had increased from
l64 In 1893 10 300 at present; that
the valuation of the property had in
creased from S15,0OO 70 $4,000, and that
the annual receipts had made the phe-
nOmeual advance OF from 5000 10 800
900. IL was Que largely to the business
sd gacity and the unuTing EFFORTS OF Nh.
Woodward that such progress had been
made, Commissioner Macfariand stated
Gen John ". Foster former Secre-
MaCfarlsud With an address, which had
as its keynote, Go thou and do like
wise"
Il think MI Woodward success"
said General Foster. ''is largely due 10
the fact that ne kept always In mind
the fundamental idea OF the Y. NJ G. A
that IT IS 10 be an HdjunCt, and not
substitute, Of the churches
". ". Finley, president Of the South
eru Railway Company, made striking
review or what the y. NJ &. 4. has &C
complisled among railway employees.
'I believe that no other work done by
the association exceeds ia importance
that done in the railway field, said the
speaker. II have often realized that
business men, VINO appreciate the i'm
pOTtanCe Of service OF this character, are
apt TO feel that they have discharged
their fun responsible ty when they re-
spond 10 an appeal Tor a contribution.
] think that many Of US may we'll take
a lesson from Mr.. Woodward in this re-
money, but he has given freely Of his
personal services as we'll"
Readiness and Devotion.
Alfred r. 8'arling, Of New York.
vice chairman ne International Com
mlttee Of the D. N. Q. A. declared that
It was his rea6i ness on one hand and
absolute devotion on the other which
had made possible Mr.. Woodward's
great success, and that while the guest
of honor had had a vision o. the great
work he was 10 do, he had also had the
vigor 10 stand by his jOb-the point
where many men fail
Applause followed an announcement
. by john p. Sleman. JT., 10 the effect
/ that Thomas W. Smith had contributed
500 000 toward the SO 600 the Association
/ is endeaVoTluE TO raise 10 pay off its
/ floating indebtedness OF the required
amount 10000 has now been raised
MI Slemau stated.
The Rev DR.. : II. Greene, pastor Of
Calvary Baptist Church and Richard
q. Morse, general secretary Of the In
/ teTratOnal Committee of the United
States and Canada. concluded the
speechmakng. DIT. Greene referred TO
Mr. Woodward as one Of the men on
the mountain tops 20 whom the world
owes much for its inspiration and prog
( ress- Mr.. Morse's address dealt with
. - hat has been accomplished by the Y.
NJ. q. A. IN the army and navy.
The testimonial books We're presented
TO Mr.. Woodward by William K. Coo
per general secretary Of the Washing
ton association,
Is AppTeCiative.
IN expressing his appreciation OF the
words that had been spoken Of him.
Mr. Woodward declared that whatever
success had been attained by the Wash
iuEtou association 81 had been due not
o. him but rather TO the faithfulness
g..r1 NJ
board Of directors, and the members OF
the organization. He said that he did
not believe there was a better y. NJ
c. A. board OF directors anywhere in
the United States.
Mr. Woodward also spoke no the high
est praise of the assistance that had
been given him by John p. Sleman, jr.
whom he referred 10 as the associa-
uons strongest ann best asset"
The beuediCtIon was pronounced by
the Rev. Df. Samuel H. Woodrow.