Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-21
In Testimony of High Regard
for Loyal Friend of District

WI IVY a. bIOIb0 VI OSSV W.
D. j. Callahan, chairman OF the COM
mittee on arrangements for the dinner,
said In his address Of welcome:
Four years ago 1t was the very happy
privilege Of the citizens Of the District
Of Columbia to take counsel with you in
this very hall and to observe the keen
and inspiring interest displayed by you
at that time for our future welfare and
development.
In the light Of all that has transpired
since, how much more fitting it seems for
the solid men OF Washington to again
assemble and pay this modest tribute Of
appreciation to one who has never
wavered in his efforts and ambition to
make Washington the most perfect mu-
nicipality and the most beautiful capital
in all the world.
and I mean to proclaim it with all the
vigor within me, and to say that speak
tonight for this splendid array OF Wash
ingtons business and professional men,
whose devotion and LOYALTY to their coun,
try and its beautiful capital Is surpassed
by no people living today in any city of
this great republic.
Not Farewell Testimonial.
In offering to you, Mr.. President. this
testimonial tonight, permit me to say
that it must not be considered in the
nature Of a farewell to our people, for we
all cherish the fond hope that in what
ever cline you may hereafter choose to
dwell, or In whatever sphere your great
force and ability may hereafter be di-
rected, there we will always find our
champion of old, advocating vigorously
the righteousness Of the cause of the
people of this, the nations city.
And, my fellow-business men. we are
efforts to correct and adjust some ques-
lions now being agitated with respect to
District affairs.
You are today on the very brink Of a
crisis in the history OF the District OF
Columbia, but we know that our dis
tinguished guest Of honor, who is SO
familiar with all our interests, will point
out tonight the course for us to follow
and offer words of wisdom that must
appeal to all others concerned.
To my mind the one thought that con-
stantly looms up with so much ins.stency
is that of pursuing sensible and tact
full campaign Of education. 1 have little
concern In some of the irregularities
found existing within the interior opera
tions of the District Of Columbia, be-
cause they merely Indicate a defect or
weakness In the government manage
ment, which can be readily ad-
justed sooner or later. but, gen
tlemen, my great concern now Is for the
eminent and the perpetuity of the ma
TONS guardianship over the city of the
whole people. Yet 1 entertain SO an
abiding confidence in the patriotism Of
the 100000 Of our people that do not
| believe for one moment they will con-
slider the advisability Of surrendering to
any community the great responsibility
| of properly developing and beautifying
the capital of this great republic-it must
be the work Of the whole people and not
a part.
Advises Educational Campaign.
If you will but glance over the history
of the District of Columbia and note the
Transformation from the former method
of government to this one. you will OBJ
serve that the uppermost thought in the
minds of the national legislators was
the one that the national Congress ought
to take upon its shoulders the burden Of
giving us the best governed city, as a
guide to all others, and to make it the
| most beautiful in all existence So. my
fellow business men, 1t behooves us to
be up and doing, to the end that this
educational campaign heretofore referred
to may at once take root and arouse in
the minds Of our people that spirit of
loyalty and generosity toward the ma
TONS capital, SO necessary for its future
progress and advancement.
OF course. we cannot expect the dis
tinguished lawmakers to give us all their
time, as the very important needs of their
districts and states must necessarily be
preserved. Apart from this service the
constant demands and cares of their
many constituents must be looked after
and safeguarded.
But, gentlemen, 1 am so convinced of
the absolute honesty and fairmindedness
Of our senators and representatives that
l believe they want to know all about
our affairs. so as to intelligently consider
all legislation presented for the govern
ment of the District Of Columbia, and it
is the duty Of our citizens to afford them
this opportunity in the least burdensome
way.
What Congress Should Know.
We want them to know all about our
constitution, the attitude of our citizens
toward the necessary requirements of the
city, so with complete information before
them they will be better fortified to bring
forth Srlcb wise and nroQreSsjve lepiSla-