The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1917-02-20
STORM
SWEEPS MEETING
MERCHANTS HOLD

The monthly luncheon OF tho Mem
bers' Council OF the Merchants As
ISOLATION at tho Hotel Astor to-day
brought out q display of patriotic
feeling dnd demonstration of loyal
ty TO the President and the Stars and
Stripes which astonished even those
who had the meeting in charge. There
were more than 1000 guests gathered
in the ballroom and in all the corrl-
doris and smaller rooms surrounding
II. Tho rooms were walled with
flags. and the outbursts of emotion
began when the tables were half
filled.
Tho first person recognized by most
OF those present was Mayor Mitchell.
A great outburst of applause accom-
panied him as no went TO his place,
But It was insignificant beside the
pandemonlum OF cheering and shout
ing. waving OF handkerchlefs which
greeted the appearance OF Major Gen.
Leonard Wood, in sombre civilian
clothes.
With Gen. Wood was his aide,
Major Halstead Dorey, and Col. John
B. lelAngcr Of the Regular Army.
Tho National Guard OF tho state was
represented by Major Gems. j. T.
ORyan and Charles Il. Roe.
Others at the guest table were
James Speyer. JACOB II. Schiif. Sam
UCl w. Fairchlld, George r. Wilson,
Collector Dudley Field Malone and
Senator William NJ. Calder Chair
man William G. Breed OF the Mem
| bcrs' Council varied the usual form
OF tho lunCheons by proposing two
toasts at the outset.
The first toast was "The citizens Of
tho city of New York to tho Nation 3
leader in its great crisis, the Prosi-
dent"
Even the tribute to Gen. Wood was
outdonc. Mr.. Rrcod checked tho
| cheering and followed with "A toast
''To that emblem Of true liberty which
Is so httingly displayed throughout
the city from office building, store.
warehouse and dwellings in this hour
OF great decisions--tho Stars and
| Stripes"
Once moro the guests, who had re-
mained standing, gave play 10 their
feelings in prolonged storm OF
cheering which merged into the sing
| ing OF the Star Spanglcd Banner In
|
and spirit as New York seldom hears
II.
senator-elect Calder said:
! 1T was through converse ton
! with Maj. Gen. Wood that ] was able
to tell the Fortihcations Committee
OF he House the absolute necessity for
the construction OF the Rockaway
fortifications. without these fortih-
cations II Is possible for the ships OF
an enemy 10 stand Off the coast and
destroy Brooklyn and New York as
far north as Twenty third Street,
"This country has an insufficient
number OF rifles and cannon and In.
sufficient ammunition, Last year
was crCdtbly Informed that we did
not have enough to follow our coast
defense batteries for one hour"
I'VE have taken an account Of not
only our police resources. but all the
citys other resources" said Mayor
! Mitchell. To-day every department
! OF city government stands ready to
! cooperate in the maintenance OF
order. to the cure OF disease, 70 the
meeting OF every condition that
might be assumed 10 follow on the
heels OF a state of war In a great city
like New York.
Il say TO you that the city govern
ment Is better prepared 10 meet any
situation that may arise than any
citizen now supposes 20 be tho case
We have not taken these steps on
account OF fear, but through the
realization that II becomes the duty
OF any city to prepare against any
hazard"
Mayor Mitchell sai dthe preparations
had not been prompted through feal
of the disloyalty OF any group Of citi'
1ens, ell said he was confident that
In tho evnt OF a crisis ell citizen!
would prove themselves loyal Ameri
cans,
"But we don't close our eyes 10 th'
fact" no went on, that enemies q
order are found IN every oommunitl
and traitors IN every land"