Evening star., 1921-04-26

| ne Will nave our support dH0 Jul
sympathy in the great tasks he is
| confronting.
| II give you the only toast it is our
wont to offer on these occasions:
"The President Of the United States,
Warren G. Harding"
| President HardinE"s Letter.
The following letter from President
| Harding then was read:
| Dear Mr.. Noyes:
! II would be very grateful IT, on the
| occasion of the annual luncheon OF the
| Associated Press. you would express
to the gathering my great regret that
public engagements make 1T impos-
| sible for me to accept the invitation
| to be present. The opportunity to
meet so pleasantly company of fell
| low newspaper men such as will there
be gathered, presents a real tempta-
| tion to play truant and join you; but
it seems quite impossible:
| "As a newspaper publisher I am
| disposed to arrogate to myself a bit
| of special qualification to Judge the
has rendered to our country in the
difficult period through which we
have passed, and which is not yet
ended. I know how earnestly and
| effectively the press tried to hold up
the hands of all who were carrying
forward our nations activities during
the war. On the other hand, my serv-
ice in public life gave me some special
| insight into the relations between the
government and the instrumentalities
of publicity. No more unqualified. in
| telligent and patriotic service was
| rendered to the nation and the great
| cause. than that so freely given by
the newspapers Looking back upon
it as one Of the chief assets on the
side of national morals, I cannot but
bespeak a continuance Of the lofty
motives that inspired and Of the gen.
erous, considerate, helpful attitude
| THE world and our own nation have
yet manifold onerous problems to
that among those intrusted with ma
tional administration there is the
ardent wish to serve with whatever
of ability we may possess, and with
out any reservations in behalf of
| partisanship or personal interest.
ance at this time than to know that
| the new administration would be able
to deserve and retain the lavish
| measure Of good will and confidence
that has been accorded to it thus far.
Mutual tolerance and moderation will,
I am sure. be amply repaid in ac-
complishment for the good Of the
| country we all love and wish to
prosper.
| Most sincerely yours.
| WARREN G. HARDING"
Mr.. Noyes Introduces Mr.. Davis.
| Introducing the guest of honor, Mr..
| Noyes said:
| when this organization was in the
| process of formation. those who were
responsible for planning 1t sought tho
advice of many great legal minds. but
as our chief adviser selected Mr.. Fred
eric B. Jennings.
| Through all the years since then
until his death last year Mr.. Jennings
was our trusted general counsel
He was, Of course. very great
lawyer. He was, in addition, very
wise and sober adviser. But those of
| US who were privileged to be in close
contact with him through these twenty
years do not remember him, do not
think Of him as the eminent lawyer,
from whose knowledge and wisdom we
proflted, but as the dear. dear friend
| who has gone before.
| ITO find a successor for Mr.. Jen-
nings was not easy. Our legal path
way is not strewn with flowers. though
l am glad to say that our legal per-
| plexiues are not those of defendant
On the contrary. We have been engaged
in blazing new paths in search of ele-
rights to the fruit Of our labor and ex-
: penditure-our property right in the
| news we jointly collect.
"Those to whom the direction of
your affairs is intrusted were unan-
imousan their desire to have one man
| ldhc UP I1o "OTA OI NI. jennings ana
| within the last few days he has
agreed to become our general coun-
sell
THAT he IL a great lawyer goes
without saying, that he is a great Dip
1omat also goes without saying, that
he will be a wise and prudent adviser
we are sure. that he has a gracious
That he will take US into his heart
as we have taken him into ours is
our sincere hope.
HE has served his apprenticeship
In such minor tasks as representa-
tive. as solicitor general Of the United
Of St James. and now enters upon his
real life work. I introduce to you
the Hon. John W. Davis. general
counsel of the Associated Press"
Former Ambassador's Speech.
Mr.. Davis spoke as follows:
II am flattered by this invitation to
address you. One would confess him
self ignorant past all hope If he had
not some acquaintance with the AS
verify there is no speech nor language
where your voice is not heard; your
line has gone through all the earth
and your words to the ends Of the
world. Day unto day you utter speech,
and night unto night you show knowl-
edge.
The newspaper is the great educa-
tive institution and the immeasur-
able company Of your readers are the
voters whose education is imperative
II fself-government is to survive Nor
does it detract from the devoted
1abors Of editorial sanctums to say
that their considered comment, great
as its influence may be, Is secondary
in its influence upon public opinion
to the news column.
n TO he
because. by the general verdict of
mankind, it has performed this with
out bias, without prejudice and with.
out partisanship. and in an earnest
pursuit of the truth.
1T is good omen that American
newspapers unquestionably are Civ.
ing more space to foreign news.
1T is clear that among the prob
lens which beset this anxious planet
three stand easily in the front rank.
The first is the German indemnity,
Until this subject is removed by ra-
tional agreement from the field of
controversy. there can be no return
to normal conditions Of trade and
commerce. and nopermanent return to
international peace. The second is
Russia, where 100000 people are
slowly sinking under the weight of