Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-04-19
CRAFToN'S FINE HOTEL.
Daniel Willard. Of B. & o..
For Whom 1t is Named.
Honor Guest.
Honor Guest.

Grafton, w. Va. April lT.-Presi-
dent Daniel Willard, of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, was the guest Of
honor at the formal opening Of the
| Willard Hotel here tonight. The ban.
quet was rendered by Col. John t. Me-
Graw, the owner, to give President
Willard, for whom the hotel was
named, the opportunity to meet the
business men Of this section of West
Virginia aud have heart-;o heart
talk with them on railroad problems
aud what The Baltimore and Ohio
further proposes to advance the well
fare Of shis state
About 100 Of the leading captains Of
industry and me bers of the bar OF
this section gathered around the tables.
IL was wholly Willard occasion. The
menu cards had as a froutisplece a
lifelike engraving of this serious rail-
road officer At the plate of each guest
was souvenir plaque with similar
chktaNiHS ia tbS CShtiS "hAa ~ WIG
lobby of the hotel was hung striking
photograph of the Baltimore and Ohio
president, surrounded by pictures OF
his executive family.
THE HONOURED GUEST.
President Willard was equal to the
occasion. He did not disappoInt Col.
onel McGraw or his friends, but made
an address which was full OF thought,
substan ,e and of the fulfiilment Of past
promises. Likewise he made the de-
claration that the interests of the rail-
road were so closely lined with the in.
terests Of It's patrons that they mutual
ly depended upon one another for sue
cess.
The ADDRESS made a hit. II aroused
the enthusiasm CT the hearers aud
President Willard has placed another
spoke 10 The wheel Of bis popularity as
progressive railroad executive.
The gathering was not wholly rail-
road affair. There was a trace OF politics
injected, but not enough to flush the
sensltivness OF any partisan.
Colonel McGraw is the Democratic
member Of the National Committee
for this State. He said that the reason
he IS so strong for Woodrow Wilson u
that he can see no other in the run
lug.
sNot only IL Wilson wanted by the
Democrats said the genial Colonel,
"but | have found many Republicans
whose admiration for him Is 10 strong
that believe he will get their votes II
he 10 nominated"
FINE HOTEL, ALL RIGHT.
The hotel is one OF the finest in this
section, 1t adjoins the new Baltimore
and Ohio station and the architecture
of the two il similar. Both were de-
signed by Mr.. NJ. A. Long, the Balti.
more 4 Ohio architect. The hotel IL
seven stories and is built OF red press,
ed bricks, with terra Gotta trimmings
and a base of gray sandstone. There
are 10 sleeping roonis, with commod-
ious Hobbies, waiting and retiring
rooms on the first floor The banquet
hall occupies the whole of the sixth
floor.
Mr.. James p. A. O'Conor, formerly
OF Rennert's has been selected to man.
age the hosiery. His master hand was
apparent in toniqht's feast.
The building was erected by J. J.
Walsh Il sons, also of Baltimore, and
was built under the personal super
vision of Mr.. Jefferson Walsh.
The whole Of Grafton seemed eager
to get into the hotel to see the guest.
They were led by brass band whose
strains began as soon as the special
train bringing the Baltimore guests