Evening star., 1923-03-08
PROPOSAL TO PAINT
FIRE HOUSEF0UGHT
Association of Oldest lnhabit.
ants Divided on Moderniz-
ing Meeting Hall.

Shall old Union Engine House. at
18th and III streets northwest retain
it's quaint appearance of years gone
by. or shall the painters brush con-
vert it into modern meeting hall?
This question came before the men,
bers of the Association Of Oldest In
habitants of the District OF Colum bia
last night. In making their home at
the former fire station these pioneer
Washingtonians have accumulated
there a countless number of relics
and remembranoes of the Capital
city fifty years ago.
Gradually the walls of the meeting
room on the second floor have become
covered with old photographs, docu-
ments and trinkets Of great historical
value. Photographs of men who led
in civic affairs half century ago.
pictures of buildings that have long
since been demolished and copies OF
newspapers published here many
years ago all help to make the head
quarters of the Oldest Inhabitants an
ingten life.
Topham Makes Suggestion.
Looking about at the walls last
night. Washington Topham advanced
the proposal that the interior OF the
old engine house be redecorated and
frightened up.
Capt George W. Evans, a veteran
and active member. objected to the
suggestion that anything be done to
hide the age of the old FIRE house:
ITO me-" said Capt. Evans, the
most refreshing thing about our
abode is it's antiquity"
Mr.. Topham did not press his pro-
posal and 1t was referred to the COM
mittee in charge of the building,
along with other matters OF matnten-
ance, for report later.
Would Hold Memorial.
The association decided to COM
municate with the Washington Ma
tional Monument Society on the ad-
Visibility of staging a celebration on
july of this year. which would be
the seventy-hfth anniversary OF the
laying of the cornerstone OF the mon
ument The proposal was made by
John Clagett Proctor. No definite
steps will be taken until the monu-
ment society has been heard from
The association. on motion OF Capt
Evans. extended a vote Of apprecia-
ton and thanks to its president
Theodore w. Noyes. for the part he
played IN having a Joint committee
washington's surplus revenues In the
United States Treasury.
Mr.. Noyes Thanked
In presenting his motion Capt. Ev-
ans declared that only those who
have followed the surplus inVestiga-
ton closely know what strenuous
effort Mr.. Noyes applied to the task
of defending the city's claim.
I'VE have all been fighting together
for financial equity for the District,
said Mr.. Noyes, in reply. "and the
Oldest Inhabitants have stood solidly
behind the movement"
Capt Evans paid tribute to the lffe-
work of former Justice Job Barnard
and Alexander Grant members OF the
association. who died since the last
meeting. John B. Mccarthy and J.
Eliot Wright eulogized Columbus D.
Choate, who died few days ago.
Gives EngravtnEs OF Grant.
Capt. Evans presented to the asso-
citation two steel epgravings OF Gen.
Grant, one as he appeared when he
commanded the Union Army, and an
other Of the general on horseback at
the battle Of the Wilderness. A pic
ture of the old War Department
building, as 1t looked in 1873, also
was given the association on behalf
OF ], William Palmer.
Three new members were electeo,
namely: Aloysius S. Fennell, SIS lst
street; Harry w. Smith, 214 lotn
street northeast. and Stillman j. NC
Cathran, 3539 18th street.