Evening star., 1916-12-24
Speaker Clark's Testimonial.

Champ Clark. Speaker of the House
Of Representatives, said in his letter:
II think Col. Harts has rendered very
valuable service to the city of Wash
ington and is we'll worthy the COM
pliment the citizens are paying him.
He is a very public-spirited and eff
cient man.
Representative Joseph G. Cannon.
former Speaker of the House, wrote:
while 1 am not one of you in the
letter of the law, a citizen of Wash
ington, I am with you in spirit, and
have for many years taken consid-
erable interest in the development of
Washington, especially as to its parks
and the reclamation of the Potomac
flats, where Potomac Park has become
one of the most attractive recreation
grounds in the country.
Col Harts," Mr.. Cannon added, mas
had a large part in carrying out the
authorizations of Congress for this
work, and he has shown artistic taste
as we'll as engineering skill and per-
sonal energy, which the citizens Of the
District appreciate even more than l
do Washington is fortunate that the
services of this efficient off1cer are to
be continued, and l regret that l. can
not be with you Saturday night to
ioin YOU in wishing him the same sue
cess and appreciation in his future ef-
forts"
Secretary Bakers Tribute
Newton D. Baker. the Secretary of
War. wrote:
81 am sure you must know that 1t is
a source of great satisfaction to me
to feel that Col. Harts is doing such
valuable work and that the people OF
Washington appreciate it and coop
crate with him heartily, as they DO on
an officer of the army could have
more inspiring task than that OF con
tributing to the beauty OF this great
Capital city, and l have watched with
interest the enthusiasm with which Col.
Harts deyotes himself to the task
other Letters Read.
otber letters read at the dinner were.
in part, as follows:
From Senator Warren of Wyoming:
"J regret all the more my enforced
absence because l would nave particu-
lar pleasure in being counted among
those assembled to 90 hohor 10 d
capable. deserving officer and citizen.
From Representative Fitzgerald,
chairman of the committee on ap-
"As superintendent of public build
ings and grounds he has been progress
siye highly effective and is responsible
for many improvements which tend
yery much to beautify the nation s
capital Every one familiar with ms
work appreciates it, and l regret my
inability to give evidence of my ap-
probation by my presence at TINS 1unc-
tion in his honor.
From Justice ]. Harry Covfngton:
ut was a most happy idea for rep
resentative Washingtonians to pay him
this graceful tribute. The development
l,;y erfn =
NOT merely a matter of concern to its
residents: it eXciteS lively interest IN
the hearts of all patriotic Americans
Toward that development no man is do
ing more than Col. Harris. His large
ness of view and truly artistic con-
ceptton have already shown splendid
results. and the completion of his out
lined work should make his name a
perpetual memory.
From Brig. Gen. John M. wilson, =. b
A. retired:
ITO Col. Harts we are indebted for
the great work he has accomplished. as
we'll as for that he has in contempla
tion. all of which will add to the beau
tification of this great city
Coming among us as comparative
stranger he soon won the respect and
esteem of US all, and today is leader
among those whose constant thought
is the welfare, prosperity and advance
ment of our glorious city.
"Col. Harts is a superb officer of the
highest type of character: honorable in
every sense, firm and true In peace and
war, and will make such an impress
sion upon our people and our city that
generations will come and pass away
ere his name his work and his brilliant
achievements will be forgotten"
List of the Diners.
Among those present at the dinner
were:
Milton E. Allies. Brig. Gen. William NJ.
Black, U. S. A.. chief of engineers;
Charles J. Bell, Alexander Britton.
Glenn Brown, E. C. Brandenburg,
Charles H. Butler. Wingrove Bathon,
W. Y. Cox, Maj A. D. Carmody. Repre-
sentative Frank Clark. chairman House
committee on public buildings and
grounds; Leon j. Canova. J. Morrill,
Chamberlin. Herbert L. Davis. Harold
E. Doyle, Robert c. Dove. John Joy
Edison, E. H. Everett. Justice Ashley M.
Gould. Charles c. Glover, Thomas Grant,