Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-05
HUNDREDS GREET
NEWC|TY HEADS
Business and Professional Men
of Capital Participate /.
in Reception.
GRAHAM CITES LOYALTY
OF CAPITALS CITIZENS
Commissioners Touch on Their Work.
Many Surprised at New
mans Youth.

Shoihoct OI commerce ana Retail may
chants Association, assembled In the
ballroom at the New Willard last night
and extended a greeting to the new board
of District Commissioners. Among those
who shook hands with the new District
heads and pledged to support them IN
their efforts in behalf of the District Of
Columbia were three former District
ommssioners-Myron NJ. Parker, Henry
B. f. Macfarland and Cuno III. Rudolph
For more than an hour the Commits
sioners stood at the head of long re-
ceiving line at the entrance of the
smaller of the two bathrooms and re
ceived those who had gathered to well
come them. The remainder of the line
was composed of directors OF the Board
of Trade and Chamber of Commerce and
members of the governing board of the
Retail Merchants Association.
Assist In Introductions.
Those who assisted In the introductions
to the Commissioners were John Joy
Edison. Chris J. Gockeler and ]. Harry
Cunningham. Others In the receiving
line were President E. II. Droop of the
Board Of Trade and President r. p.
Andrews of the Retail Merchants Asso-
citation. e. c. Graham, chairman of the
committee which arranged the reception,
B. w. Guy. Thomas w. Smith; Walter
Brown Isaac Cans. Albert Schulteis.
Frederick c. Handy, NJ. A. Leese and
William r. Guide.
After every one had an opportunity 70
shake hands with the Commissioners
they were escorted into the larger ball
room, where they took seats before the
platform on which an orchestra was
arranged.
Chairman Graham, in behalf OF the
Board of Trade, Chamber of Commerce
and Retail Merchants Association. then
extended a welcome to the Commis-
sioners.
'proud of Our City"
I'VE are proud of our city" he said:
proud of the type OF citizens that COM
prise the membership of these orgari-
xations. Washington. like most American
cities during its earlier existence. expe-
rienced an era accompanied by inccfh-
potency and graft but for over a third
OF century, under the present form OF
government with a board of Commits
sioners appointed by the President of the
United States, there has been little cause
for charges Of corruption. In COMPARE
son with other municipalities of our
country the Nations Capital stands out
clear and clean
TT is generally conceded that the Dis-
trict of Columbia essentially must be-
controlled by the federal government III
is likewise true that. as the city growsI
and customs and conditions are changed
by time. reforms and revisions of our
laws are necessary.
People Interested in City.
while we believe that the people of
the entire country are deeply interested
in the welfare of the Capital city, we.
who have our permanent residence within
tits borders. are the most vitality affected.
No thinking man will contend that our
citizens are less intelligent or less COM
petent than those of any other communi-
ty to decide what is best to promote the
permanent health. happiness and pros
perity of it's people.
Under our present system the board
of Commissioners, in effect, is the Of
fetal channel for the expression of
public opinion; through it we must pc
tition our legislators for all appro-
priations. laws and regulations. the
establishment and support of our
schools and institutions. parks and
avenues, and, in fact, for every detail
of our economic existence.
"We believe that in no other COM
munity can there be found citizen
ship more upright. liberal and broad
minded in their views. more loyal and
law abiding, nor more interested IN
the affairs of government Differences
feel safe in saying that there is less
variance of opinion of one mind on
matters of public interest here than
is possible where sentiment is created
and swayed by the periodical strife of
political parties.
Medium Of Expression.
lowing to the absence OF other means.
the desires and the needs of our cemmu-
nifty are expressed largely through the
Board of Trade, the Chamber Of Com
merce and the Retail Merchants Asso-
citation, each in its particular field. II is
In the committees and the general meet
Ings of our association that free and full
opportunity is given our citizens to ex-
press their opinions on subjects OF pub
lie Importance, thus arriving at a united
and definite conclusion and a more nearly
correct analysis OF our requirements.
MIR. Commissioners, you follow a long
line of administrators, who have done
much to make Washington what IL is to-
day, a city well befitting the title of
capital of the greatest nation on the
face Of the globe.
Commissioners Free.
You do not come into office burdened
with obligations to any political party or
faction, nor are you pledged TO any plat
form of principles and policies, except
that broad and general principle that will
ever control advanced civilization-fidelity
and justice to all. You are free, without
fear or favor. to work to the end of ac-
the greatest good for the
greatest number.
in your councils we tender you the
and influence we.gain through
our organization. We solicit your Coop
grafton in our efforts looking to the bet
.erment Of our institutions, the improve
nent OF our city and the uplifting of our
we have confidence in your
sincerity and honesty Of purpose. and
wish for you successful ad-
Newman Is introduced.
Mr.. Graham then introduced Oliver =.
Newman. president Of the board of Dis
r1ct Commissioners.
In responding Mr.. Newman said that
he was greatly impressed at the number
,f comments regarding his age which he
heard while standing At the head Of the
'eoefving line.
"'Why he's such q young man. |
leard several gentlemen remark" said
Nontinued on E4fteenkhn nPAgol