The Washington times., 1913-10-04
700 PERSONS
AT BOARDS PARTY"
Reception for Commissioners at
New Willard Likely to Be
Feast of 0ratory.

More than 700 guests tonight, at
the New Willard Hotel, will unite in
doing honor to the new District Com
missionerc, in the big joint reception
to the Commissioners arranged by the
Chamber of Commerce, Retail Mer-
chants Association, and Board of
Trade.
II is probable that in spite of an
nouncements, to the effect that there
would be no formal speeches, a num-
Der Of brief talks will be made,
though, of course, there will be no
toasts or assigned subjects. After the
reception, however. which will take
place in the small ball room, the
guests will be taken to the large ball
room, where chairs will have been
placed. and speaking will take place
from the stage.
Chairman E. c. Graham. Of the joint
committee on arrangements. will pre-
side, introducing the Commissioners
to those present, after which the
Commissioners will, IT is expected,
make a few remarks.
At the conclusion Of the speeches
buffet luncheon will be served, and
the reception will at once become an
informal social gathering of the mem
bers Of the three bodies and their
friends.
Vindicates Advocates.
The tremendous number Of persons
who have signified their desire to be
present at the reception of the three
organizations to the District Commits
sioners tonight is regarded by the joint
committee, and by all those who are in
sympathy with the idea back of the re-
ception, as vindication of the attitude
OF those favoring the reception, and a
rebuff to those who attacked the plan,
after it had been worked almost to a
conclusion, the guests invited, and the
invitations TO the members mailed.
1t was recalled today by some of the
men who have been working hard for
the success of the reception that the
point made by those who so lately op-
posed 1t was one impossible to be given
consideration 1t was pointed out that
when the plans were made for this re-
ception. In the summer. there was no
knowledge that any point as to the
Legality of the appointment of any of
the Commissioners would be raised
Wait On Commission.
A committee representing the Cham
Der of Commerce. the Board OF Trade,
and the Retail Merchants Association
waited upon the newly appointed Com
missioners and said il was the desire of
ception in honor of the new Commits
sioners. In expressing this desire the
committee, which represented the three
bodies, asked the Commissioners to
name date which would be satisfac-
tory to them for the reception
After demurring, the Commissioners
declared that they would rather get
their hands into things a little before
any such function should be given.
and the date of October was tenta-
lively fixed.
After this came the attack unon
the legality of Mr.. Newman's holding
the position of Commissioner. and
the other troubles in regard to resi-
dence or non-residence of the Dis
trict
Impossible To Withdraw.
Naturally, however. the friends of the
committee point out. it was impossible
then for the invitations to be with
drawn. despite the sympathy OF a small
minority of members of the association
with the attacks on the Legality of the
appointment.
The members of the committee and
their friends are much delighted, there
fore, with the extraordinary success
which has attended the work. and the
probability of such a huge attendance
tonight. Had the number of acceptances
been slight. the members of the COM
mittee. and the District Commissioners
TN VQu1d have ha.v, eoral,, an,