Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-02

Various Plans Discussed for Secur-
ing Permanent Quarters-Fourth
of July Celebration.
Material progress toward the securing
of a permanent homo for the organiZa-
ton was made last night at the monthly
meeting of the Association of Oldest In
habitants of the District, when H. *.
Willard announced a contribution OF
$1,000 made in memory of his father, the
late Henry *. Willard This amount, he
said, would be placed at the disposal of
the association at any time it was de-
sired to use it, and the $780, he stated,
would be given Internationally in sup
port Of any building plan which might
have the approval of the membership of
the association.
Because the permanent home" and the
plan for the celebration Of the Fourth Of
July were scheduled for discussion, there
was an unusually representative gather
ing of the members of the association in
the assembly hall of the old engine house
at 10Th and II streets northwest, when
President Theodore W. Noyes called the
meeting to order. Mr.. Wizards gener-
Gus announcement was made toward the
close of the meeting, and it was hailed
with enthusiastic applause. In connec-
ton with his contribution to start the
fund for the association home, Mr.. VIII
lard voiced greatest appreciation of the
marks of sympathy accorded to him by
the members OF the association at the
time of the death of his father. as we'll
as at the more recent death of his friend
and business associate, the late Henry
Willard Reed.
Mr.. Willard also entertained the asso-
citation by a description of some of the
interesting sights encountered on his re-
cent tour Of Europe and northern Africa.
Given Rising Vote of Thanks.
In signifying its acceptance of his gift
toward the permanent home fund.- the
association rendered rising vote Of
thanks to Mr.. Willard.
y comprehensive review OF the work
already done in the matter OF a perIna-
nent home for the organization was laid
before the meeting by Chairman Charles
s. Bundy OF the committee appointed Sep
TENDER. 1900. TO investigate various
propositions. This report included
statement of the inquiry into the avail
ability Of the former home of the Jewish
Club i'll I street between 9th and 10th
streets. and of one other structure, both
of which were rejected by the committee
as unsuitable. Chairman Bundy also re-
ported on one suggestion which came
before his committee and which called
for the acquisition Of a lot on which the
association should build its own home
This. it was stated. would cost $4,000,
and the committee submitted plan for
polling the association by mail. So that
the view of every member might be Sc
cured. Upon motion it was ordered that
this poll should be made, and 1t was
agreed that four propositions should be
submitted to the membership, in brief.
as follows:
Questions Asked Members.
Would you take an active part by
contributing in cash to fund Of $4,000
for the purpose Of providing a home for
the association, and, if SO, how much
would you agree to pay on or before
January ), 1911? In
event these pledges do not amount
TO SJO,0 by December 1, 1910, all
pledges given will be null and void, and
in case they exceed that amount con-
tributions will be pro rata.
In case the cash cannot be raised by
donation, as in first proposition, would
you take an active part In bonded
proposition to the amount of $50, eco
for the same purpose, the bonds to be at
rate Of per centum per annum, and
secured by deed of trust on the whole
property purchased with improvements
and payable In full January 5, 1890. un-
less sooner bought up by the associa-
ton?
I'm a home provided by either of these
methods there would be increased cost
Of maintenance. Would you consider ia
vorab bly, the increase OF your dues from
S1.J0 to, say, not to exceed $40 per an
mum. to meet this expense?
Would you, rather than undertake any
of these propositions, prefer to improve
and utilize our room In the Corcoran
building: and to improve the old engine
house at the corner of 10th and II streets
northwest. for our monthly me etings. and
to continue 10 hire large hall for our
special numerously attended meetings for
which the engine house would be too
small?'
The committee stated it would cost ap-
proximately $3.50 to improve the Cercoran
building room, and about S2.S15 to make
alterations in the old engine house. the
cost of electric lights. electric fans and
an electric heating plant being included.
Title to Engine House.
Chairman Bundy's report included a
statement of an investigation into the
ownership OF the old engine house, to-
gether with a reading of the act of Con-
gress Of January 20. 1909, by which the
Commissioners of the District were au-
thorized to grant the association the use
of the engine house. as co-tenant with the
Veteran Volunteer FYremen's Association
Title to the proptr ty, it seems. is vested
In the United States.
1t was stated as conclusion OF the
committee that 1t would be eminently
proper for the association to extend its
aid in preserving the engine house, one
of the landmarks, with It's quaint ex-
terror and its collection of FIRE apparatus,
from the march Of improvements. 1t
was recommended. however, that some
recognition should be secured from the
District Commissioners of the equity of
the association in the old engine house
before any money is spent on Its i'm
provement, so that the organization
might not be dispossessed in later years.
The Proposed Changes.
Briefly stated, the improvements sug-
gested in the old engine house include
the construction of a six-foot two-story
addition, by which the twenty four-foot
by forty-four-foot floor space would be
enlarged to thirty by fifty feet; the re-
moval of all of the relics of the Fire
mems Association. and the meeting place
of that organization. to the lower floor
of the building. and the fitting up of the
assembly hall as the permanent home Of
the Association of Oldest Inhabitants.
The enlarged assembly room, 1t was es-
timated, would accommodate $50 persons
Before the adjournment Of the meeting
William l.. Hickey Of 200 1 street north