Evening star., 1921-05-18
MANY PAY TRIBUTE
TO JOHN 10Y EDS0N
ON 18TH BIRTHDAY
400 Washingtonians Join
Hands at Testimonial
Dinner.


at the Willard Hotel in celebration
of the scventy-hfth birthday ami
vcrsary of this sterling business man
and philanthr"rist, who for nearly
half It century has worked untirinSly
for the benefit OF Washington.
The speakers of the evening. prom
incnt hulH locally and nationally. all
staunch friends of Mr Edison. affec-
,iondt"ly tore aside The Ven OF mod
csty with which he has so long
rloakcd himself. and cXtolhd his life.
from the time he, as lad of fifteen.
enlisted in the Army to fight for his
country. until the present time. when
h" rises so high in the esteem of
his fellow men. 1t WAS a ma gniticent
irihute t" we'll loved man. who
ground and ""thers" in tn" fore
ground
Loving Cups Presented.
tn" regard OF the citizens of tn" &C M
munity' We're presented to Mr.. Eds, N.
Judge Martin y. Knapp of tn" CT
cult Court of Appeals. in an cloquen t
and touching presentation address, said:
John JOY Edison, the intrinsic value
spirit in which they are given could
not be purchased with a Kingdom
George f. Hamilton. chairman of
the John JOY Edison anniversary
committee, presided at the banquet
and made the opening address. in
which he reviewed the life of Mr.
Edison; his accompli shmcnts and low
a BILE qualities
+. G. Brandenburg, toastmastcr.
before introducing tho various speak
ers. said that Mr.. Edson's life was
a credit to himself and an honor to
L.
home. He touched briefly on the
widely quoted remark of tn" guest OF
honor. 81 want to vote before | die
IN TINS VOteleSS city. made when Mr..
Edison was considering the chances
of national representation being
granted to the District of Columbia.
Justice Day Speaks.
William r. Day. associate justice of
the Supreme Court of the United
states, made the first address OF the
evening. pointing ont that the early
vigorous boyhood of the guest of
honor in Ohio. where he was born in
1916. was a strong natural endOw-
ment for future deeds of greatness.
II deem il not too much to say
that the character and ability which
have found ample scope for service
in the subsequent career of our friend
are but the fruition Of strong, nat
ural endowment developed by the
early association which it was his
privilege to enjoy in the formative
days of his youth. Here. at the ma
tion's capital. for more than fifty
years. his life has testified to his
many virtues which We're his birth
right
1T is privilege to join with those
present tonight. and the many not
here, who would pay tribute to one
who has done SO much 70 promote
40 f.lf f.fro Of hi faIlf
progress of his country and city
Mr.. NOye. Expres.es Regard.
Declaring that the occasion meant
more than the opportunity to express
personal regard for a friend. Theo-
dore w. Noyes. editor of The Star,
asserted that it was an nyopportunity
TO express an appreciatiNe recOgni-
unselfish. uncOmpensated public Ia
bors of a citizen who has served it
well, and in this way an inspiration
to good citizenship to all men and
women of the city.
''Twenty- years ago" said Mr.
senting a grandfather's clock to Mr..
Edison. in behalf Of my associates
on the local citizens committee to
manage the Washington Grand Army
encampment Of 1892. which he. as
chairman. had just brought to
SUCCESSFUL COHc1uSIOH
In presenting the massive clock
TO Mr. Edison. as a token of public
esteem, l suggested that the gift
was somewhat symbolic of him per
sonally in its immovable firmness
when located in the right place in
it's capacity, in spite Of its peaceful
aspect. to strike upon proper occa-
sion, and in it's unostentatious and
retiring disposition which prompt ed
it to hold its hands before its face.
After a lapse Of more than a
quarter century testify that the
qualities of Mr.. Edison, thus SYM
boliZed, still characterize him"
Inherent Patriotism Recalled.
The inherent patriotism of Mr.. Ed
son, even in his boyhood days. was af-
fectionately recalled by Thomas )
Hopkins. judge advocate general,
Grand Army Of the Republic, who as
serted that although under age being
but fifteen years old. Mr. Edison en-
listed promptly when the call for men
said that Mr.. Edison bore the horrors
Of the war without complaint and
without impatience, and that he car
ried throughout the conflict di-
vine sense of duty.
Mr. Edson's deeds Of kindness
have been many. both in a large way
and in a small way" said Wendell
p. Stafford. justice of the Supreme
Court Of the District of Column bia
Philanthropy needs to fall into just
such hands.
He has spent a lifetime in work
of this kind We should learn from
the example he has set that charity,
to be effective. must be regular and
systematic. His work on the board
Of charities and the Associated Chair
ties has been an inspiration. He has
built up the latter organization by
using 1t as business mans device
to discover real cases of needed char
ity. His work has been great but
his heart has been greater
Stands for UnxeIfxhness.
1.-The name of John Joy Edison
stands for usefulness to mankind" as
serted Joseph II. Defrees. president of
the Chamber of Commerce Of the
United States Of America, in which
organization Mr.. Edison has held the
position OF director and treasurer
since its inception. nine years ago.
His business career is an illumi-
mating Illustration of his usefulness"
continued Mr.. Defrees. He was one
of the founders of the United States
Chamber Of Commerce. and the new
home Of the chamber. soon to be
erected in this city, will stand as
monument to his ability. His life has
been constant inspiration to all who
have come into contact with him"
Declaring that Mr.. Edison was al
ways eager to lend helping hand.
whether the matter was of the most
trivial nature or not. Gilbert GroSve-
nor, president Of the National Geo
graphic Society. said that Mr.. Edison
was one of the biggest factors in the
building up Of the organization.
Mr.. Grosvenor recalled when Mr.
Edison was elected treasurer of the
society in 1901. He spoke OF the sat
isfaction felt by members Of the So
ciety when Mr.. Edison consented to ac =
cept the appointment. which. incl
dentally. he has held ever since.
Helped Build Up Member.hip.
'There 1pape opIv 9 s00 rna,nbo.n !. .