Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-27

AS token of esteem and appreciation
OF Senator Gallingers services to the
District Of Columbia as chairman of the
Senate District committee. an invitation
to banquet in his honor was extended
to him today by q committee representing
more than a hundred OF Washington's
most influential citizens. The committee
called at Senator Galingers office in
the Capitol at II o'clock this morning.
Mai. Judson. Engineer Commissioners of
the District, presented the invitation,
signed by more than a hundred citizens.
Senator Gallinger was much pleased
with the invitation, and said SO.
The committee in charge of the ar
rangements has in view March 2S as the
date for the dinner, If that date Is ac-
ceptable to Senator Gallinger. A reason
for the selection OF this date lies In the
fact that Senator Gallinger win be sew
enty-four years old that day. The din
| ner will be given at the New Willard
Hotel.
Greets His Callers.
This is q very formidable gathering
for such . modest man as I am" Sena-
tor La.inger remarked, as he shook
hands with those who had called upon
him. His greeting of each was personal.
and he called practically every one OF the
delegation by name, making some re-
mark that Indicated more than formal
acquaintance.
I'VE are only small part of a COM
mittee OF 100 business men of Washing
ton." Engineer Commissioner Judson re-
Piled And we have come to invite you
to dinner in celebration of your birth
day. March %.
I'VE desire to show our appreciation.
the very deep appreciation Of the citizens
Of the National Capital, of the care and
wisdom. hard work and patience and the
breadth of view, which have characterized
your work as chairman Of the Senate
District committee and of the Subcom-
mittee' on District appropriations. And
we want to show not only our apprecia-
ton. but our affection for you.
1T is frequently said that every one In
Washington knows you and admires you
yes, they love you. And we hope noth-
ing will prevent you from accepting this
invitation"
To Send Letter of Acceptance.
Senator Gailinger did not say "Yes" i'm
mediately in reply. but he will send a let
ter to the chairman Of the committee ex-
pressing his appreciation of the invitation
and accepting it.
when l entered the Senate Mr.. Gal
linger did tell the committee, Il made two
reuueStS-made because of experience l
had had in the House. One was that l
be not placed on the committee on claims.
The other was that l be not placed on
the District committee. because / foreSaw
the great amount Of work that would re-
suit. The first request was granted. but
the second was denied.
II was placed on the District commit
tee. where / have been for twenty years.
l don't deserve any special credit. be-
cause / have only performed my duty
and 1t has been arduous at times. have
enjoyed the work. / have felt that L
could do as much for my state and the
country by serving the District as in
any other way. And l have discharged
my duty to the best OF my ability.
4 didn't expect any public show Of
appreciation. and some Of you know well
assure you / will give the matter deep
consideration and will communicate with
your chairman.
Perhaps I ought to say to you now
that my present feeling is that would
enjoy celebrating my birthday among
my friends in Washington, among
those whose friendship I have enjoyed
and appreciated"
Senator Deeply Touched.
Senator Gallinger's acceptance of the
invitation will be communicated to the
committee probably this afternoon.
During his reply he showed that his
feelings had been deeply touched by
the invitation, and 1t was evident that
he desired time to frame a reply that
would show his appreciation.
Among Senator Gallinger's friends at
the Capitol 1t was suggested that the
special merits of the District appro-
priation bill as 1t came from confer
ence are due in great measure to the
chairman of the Senate subcommittee
on District appropriations, and that
they prompted the desire at this time
TO make some public expression of the
community's appreciation Of Mr.. Gal
fingers interest In the Districts wei.
fare.
In the delegation that called on Mr..
Gallinger were Cuno II. Rudolph. Gen.
John A. Johnston, Maj. Judson. Nathaniel
Wilson, Levi Cooke. DIR. G. NJ Kober.
Horace H. Westcott, George H. Harriea.
James F. Oyster. William F. Mattingly.
William NJ Terrell. o. ]. Field. George
Otis Smith, B. II. Warner. William q.
Curtis Rudolph Kauffmann. T. Frank
lin schneider, Theodore w. Noyes and
William c. Dodge.
Text Of Invitation.
The formal written invitation presented
tn Senator Gallinger reads as follows:
"For many years you have rendered
services of exceptional value to the legis-
lation of the country. and during q large
part of your public career have devoted
much time and thought to upbuilding and
developing the capital Of youN country.