Evening star., 1927-05-17
John Joy EDISON,
At 81, LAUDS WORK
FinanCier and Civic Leader
Observes Birthday With
Daily Business Routine.

John JOY Edison, apostle Of public
service. today observed the eighty
first anniversary of his birth by
4. pausing in his daily business routine
{ 10 discourse on "the JOY of work
Expressing the sincere hope that he
never would be forced TO become IAN
idle man" by reason Of health or in
ffrmities. WashingtOn's revered finan-
cicr and civic leader announced, how
ever. that in justice TO himself he
must curtail some OF his heavier
responsibilities
''In the evening of life" he said. Il
feel that ] should preserve my health
and effectiveness and usefulness Dy
conserving my energy and strength
I cannot work at full speed, and there
fore | must relinquish soma OF my
more arduOus connections.
''As long as l am physically able to
get about. however. / will not forsake
nublic service or leave my desk here
in nv office ] love work, for / have
found ii 10 be life's greatest pleasure
I hone the day never may come when
/ am helpless to pursue my labors.
Believes i'm Recreation.
Mr.. Edison, sitting at his document
IN,
business correspondence, leaned Tor
ward earnestly and added;
"Rut please do not think that | be-
lieye in all work and no play. | do
not. | recognize the need OF reason
able recreation in any ones career,
hut hold that there should be care
ful ALLEGATION Of time for both work
and play. Work. | contend, should
come first. and when that is attended
10 one is then able to enjoy recreation
and TO appreciate its fullest Dement'S.
In this connection Mr.. Edson dis-
closed that he is planning 10 DO some
travelling this Summer during ms Gus
tomarv vacation period. He has not
vet worked out details of his trip, how
ever.
Mr.. Edison let 1t be known that in
accepting a position on the board
of directors and as treasure or the
National Press Building Corporation
he was thoroughly interested in and
approved Of the plan of the projectors
for the launching of new, up-to-date
social press club, and beyond that, or
great Importance, of a. new era or
Journalism 1t is his hope that the
new building will become a great ma
fional gathering place for the press.
where Journalists from all parts or the
world may come together, get ac-
ouainted and discuss important prob
lens of how best to promote their pro-
fessional interests and the highest
public service.
Lauds Press Clubs Advantages. -
''The National Press Club" he said,
'has the distinct advantage OF being
located at the Nations Capital, the
Capital of the most influential country
in Tn1nidfnO
public opinion. it is a power eXcelling
all others to do so. which must result
in the best to be obtained for our coun-
try. social conditions and civilization.
The club. we might well predict, is
most likely TO become the mecca OF
American Journalism to which frequent
journeys will be made with pleasure
and profit
Mr.. Edison arrived at his desk at 9
o'clock this morning and entered. as
usual, upon his regular schedule or
work for the day. He found awaiting
him a pile of congratulatory messages
from his veritable army of friends
and admirers in public and private
life of the Capital. In difference to
Mr.. Edsons aversion to personal
praise, no formal celebrations were
arranged in his honor. He recalled
with pleasure, however, the testimo.
NAL dinner rendered him on his seven.
tv-flfth birthday by Washington's
civic interests.
The long and distinguished career of
this respected citizen is so well known
that a detailed resume is not neces-
sary. It is sufficient, perhaps. to re-
fcount that he was born in Jefferson,
Ohio, May II, 1S46; that he enlisted
at the age of Is with the New
aY1- s11 4Hn Niry1 IA
entered the Government service with
the Treasury Department, in the
Office Of the Controller Of the Cur
rency when it was organized. in 1853;
was graduated from the old Colum-
bian Law School in 1868 and was adj
mitted to the bar; practiced patent
law until 1881; organized the Equitable
Cooperative Building Association in
in 1879 and has served as its presi-
dent since 1898. He was president
of the Washington Loan & Trust Co.
from 1894 to 1917, and is now chair
man of the board.
Declined Commisionersllips.
Two presidents of the United States
offered him posts as District Commits
sioners, which he declined-President
Harrison in 1898 and President Nc.
Kinley in 1901. He always has been
an ardent advocate of suffrage for
the District. and has remarked often:
II want to vote before l die''--in this
Voteless community.
The list of Mr.. EdSon'S civic, chari.
table and club affiliations comprises
an almost complete roster OF Organi-
l III more people knew how their prop l
IL eYfv will be disnOsPd OR nv Iaw-more 4