Evening star., 1922-10-24
uNvEIL PORTRAIT
OF MCFARLAND
CONTINUED from First Pass.)

great material achievements of his
administration as p. esident of the
board Of Commissioners. This room Is
full of Macfarlsnd memories and as
these walls will tend to kaeb alive
these memories for many years TO
come.
'Since his death Mr.. Macfarland
has been honored in eulogy from
dresses. editorials. resolutions and
letters, and especially at the impress
slve and inspiring memorial exercises
at the Church of the Covenant. at
which intimate and devoted friends
fed achievements in words of elo-
quence. In due season-soon, ! am
sure-we shall set up a Macfarland
memorial which shall give concrete
expression to the public regard for
him in all phases of his many and
varied beneficial activities.
To-day our attention is concen-
trated upon him as Commissioner and
as uncompenSated public servant out
side the commissionership. But time
is lacking for adequate consideration,
even of this fragment of his total ac-
tivities.
Record OF Accomplishments
During his administration as pres
ident of the Commissioners such per-
manent improvements as the munic-
ipal building. filtration plant. High
way bridge, sewers and sewage dis
posal system and Union terminal
station were developed at cost of
noted. than was expended in the
Shepherd making-over of Washing
ton. The period was thus one Of in
tensive and unsurpassed material de-
velopment. Not only did inanimate
Washington, the city of stone and
toll
prosper. but also the Washington
,.nlniun;ty tn, n -"nio of rh. tapital
city. Public education, public char
tiles and legislation for the improve
ment of living and social conditions
made notable advances. Mr. Macfar-
lands minor personal activities rang
ed from establishment of a safe and
sane Fourth of July to transfer of
the remains of L'Enfant from an un-
marked grave to Arlington. He per
formed with conspicuous ability the
difficult task of representing the Dis
irict in urging upon Congress its
needs, its rights. its equities. In this
function he showed courage. tact. pa
tience and the power to convince or
to persuade.
His ten years administration as
Commissioner not only made a not
able record in itself. but it also laid
The foundation, broad and deep. for
unofficial public services of another
ten years. euuallr fruitful in effec-
i've promotion of the public welfare.
"High-class work as a newspaper
man helped to prepare him for the
correspondent he acquired quickness
of thonsht. accuracy, facility in the
exn-esSiOn of thought in virile Eng
iish and wide and often intimate
acquaintance with public men.
Ten years as Commissioner made
i'm oh hlt- !,
Washtngtenians and Washington.
stored in his memory available
for immediate use an accumu-
lation of National Capital facts
and figures. tendencies and principles
and made of him an administrator of
executive ability.
This training and experience
armed and equipped him for the fray
when out of public office and in the
practice of law. Law practice
strengthened him as loeician. sys-
tematized his limitless industry and
elevated his forensic standards
He was clear. quick thinker.
with power of lucid, logical express
sion of his thought as speaker and
writer. He was dependable in coun-
sol: tactful, feIicitous and sometimes
ELOQUENT in word: prompt and vigor-
Gus in act His ideals were pure and
high. He was dominated in every
act, personal or official. by conscience
he carried Christian principle into
everyday life. course as full of
courage as of wholesome. helpful in
fuence In these days of fabby moral
fiber and even boastful laxity. In re-
spect to him familiarity never bred
contempt. Those who, weresclosest to
him in the battles Tor Washington
appreciated him the most
His dominating characteristic was
intense. patriotic civic loyalty His
life. symbolized by the portrait un-
veiled today. is to all Washingtonians
an fnspira tion to Self-sacrificing' de-
capital. our own city, the city that
we love"
Privilege and Pleasure.
1T is a privilege and a very great
pleasure to be here and join Mrs Mac
far!and, the officers of the District
and citizens of Washington in COM
memorating in so appropriate a way
Henry B. +. Macfarland," said Mr.
Edison.
shortly after Mr.. Macfarland was
first appointed Commissioner, Con-
gress passed an act creating the
Board of Charities. During the en-
tire time that Mr. Macfarland was
Commissioner all charitable institu-
tlons. supported In whole or in part
by the government. were assigned to
his department and came under his
supervision and direction. OF course
this brought Mr.. Macfarland in very
close touch with the Board of Chari-
ties. During the organization period
of that board, and the settling upon
the future policies to be pursued.
making important changes and i'm
provements in the administration of
public charities, hospitals. prisons
asylums, etc, Mr.. Macfarland took
deep interest at all times and worked
IN perfect harmony with the Board
of Charities. 1t is a very pleasant
recollection that the members of the
Mr.. Mcfarland. While the board
came more closely in touch with him,
it is a fact that. without exception. the
BOARD of Commissioners and the Board
of Charities have been from the be-
ginning in full accord, thus accom-
pliShing results that could not other
wise have been obtained. These re-
best interest of the municipal and
organized charities of the National
Capital, under governmental control
and supervision.
Choice Of Mckinley.
"Mr Macfarland, when first ap-
pointed Commissioner. in 1900, was
choice of President Mckinley. II
thought 1t would be interesting, IL
should tell you, how his appointment
was brought about. as I was present
at the time. The President requested
three citizens to call at the Wnlte
House to aid him, if possible, In his
effort to select the right man for
Commissioner. None of them had a
name to suggest. which seemed to
puzzle the President considerably.
4 a