The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-11-04

He congratulated the residents of the West End on their splendid street, and also complimented them upon their ! fine turnout at such a demonstration. l He said that it was good thing for
 the rest of the city for the Fourth
 were Tive ones'' when it came to | showing appreciation of important public improvements.
 l Alderman Walker was the next
 speaker. The Alderman is not long
 on talk. Action is his long suite. But
 were characteristic, and the voters of
 the Fourth who heard him appreciat- | ed that behind the words was the
 rugged and determined personality
 that has made him such an able rep
 resentative in the Common Council. l T want to thank all of you, my l friends said he, flor your reception. Now that this work is completed, we | must thank the Mayor, the Board of | Aldermen, the Paving Commission, the press, the Street committee"-- He hesitated for moment, and then out, he added, Thank everybody. This he said in his characteristic and forceful fashion, and everybody cheer | ed. He again thanked everybody for the fine demonstration, and was given another round of applause as he con- cluded. Then came that veteran warrior of the Fourth, John N Near, one of the | leading spirits of Democracy of the | city, charter member-one of the | three who are now living-of the Democratic Association. He has rep sented the Fourth in the Common | Council a number of times.
 'T give you my word," he said to the crowd, "I have tried time and again l to get something done for the West End. I have taken petitions into the Common CounciI-petitions signed by all the residents of the section, and haven't been able to get results. have watched pedestrians from my coal office, and time and again have noted that to cross the street here they have been forced to walk half a block one way or the other to get crosswa1k, and even then they had to walk through mud two or three improvement for a long time. And Daniel E. Walker (cheers.)
 When the work was begun it was said that they would stop when they reached Park avenue. And who was through the West End? I repeat, it was Daniel E. Walker (More cheers).
 He closed with commendation of Alderman Walkers record in the coun- cil, and then Chairman Hummel in- troduced Alderman DeForest, the other representative of the Fourth. in the Common Council.
 Alderman DeForest spoke very briefly He said merely that when the question of credit for the State street pavement was considered, the show very plainly to whom the honor was due. ''Who introduced the reso- lution into the Common Council that made this work possible? It was Al derman Walker" he exclaimed, and the crowd cheered.
 Peter Hummel then asked Mayor Buckingham to make a speech of pre- sentation. The Mayor said that 1t was not often that when an Alder man served his district faithfully and well he was repaid with more than few passing words of thanks. The Alderman's usual return for his free services to the public is the roasting he gets through newspapers. the short lived memory of what he may accom- plish, and little else.
 "But Alderman Walker is especially fortunate" said he, ''in that he lives in a district where more substantial remembrances prevail" He said that ileged on behalf of the residents of the West End to present to the Alder man the fine picture. The finely mounted photograph was then held up in sight of the crowd, and cheers broke forth anew.
 Alderman Walker said he would cherish the gift as long as he lived, and would treasure it among his rich est possessions. He said that when he retired to his home he would look upon the picture and through it would recall the happy memories of the cele- bration And he looked forward to the day when his children would look upon the picture with the same sort of sentiments.
 Chairman Hummel then announced that the festivities were over, and the meeting adjourned with three hearty cheers for Alderman Walker.