Evening star., 1927-05-22
FAREWELL TRIBUTE
PAID TO COL. BELL
President Joins in Citizens
Appreciation of Work of
Commissioner.

President Coolidge Joined with tn
people of Washington, as representa-
through its organized citizenship. il
a farewell tribute to Lieut. Col. Jane
Franklin Bell, whose duties an En
-gineer Commissioner of the Distric
will come to q close on June %. at :
testimonial meeting last night in tn
Central High School Auditorium.
The President sent to the melting {
letter laudatory of Col. Bells services
as Engineer Commissioner, and there
by established a precedent. Never
before. it was said, has a President
publicly praised an Engineer Com
missioner of the District.
Presidents Letter.
The Presidents letter, which was
read by Jesse G. Suter, former presi
dent Of the Federation Of Citizens AS
sociations. follows:
:. ''As you are laying down the duties
of Engineer Commissioner Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia Board Of Commits
sioners, and are taking UP other work
in accordance with the Army require
ments, wish to express my appre
citation Of what you have accomplished
here.
"A wise provision of law says that
one of the Commissioners shall be an
Army engineer. Your technical skill
has been invaluable in the solution of
many of the problems involved, in.
cluding the vastly important one of
zoning.
I'm matters of judgment and coun-
sci as well, and in everything pertain
ing to the welfare Of Washington you
have rendered conspicuous service.
II understand your many friends
are testifying to the high regard in
which you are held in the form of a
farewell meeting. want to join them
in wishing you the utmost success
and happiness in the future years."
Similar, and even more glowing. ex-
Bells career with the District gov.
ernment came from his associates on
the Board Of Commissioners, Maj.
Gen. Charles p. Summerall, chief of
staff Of the Army; Lieut.. Col. U. S.
Grant, Sd, director of the Office of
public buildings and public works of
the National Capital, with whom Col.
Bell has been associated on the Zon-
ing Commission and the National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commission,
a. well as from the civic leaders who
have known him intimately.
Acclaimed Most Popular.
Col. Bell was acclaimed as not only
the most popular engineer commits
sioner the District ever had, but an
indefatigable and energetic worker for
the improvement of the National Capt.
tai and one OF Washington's greatest
public benefactors.
In response to this praise, Col. Bell
said modestly: Nothing is more salts
Tying in the world than to know that
you have done your best and it is
appreciated"
Commissioner Bell urged that the
people Of the District have faith in
ats government. I'VE have had
many members Of Congress looking
In on the affairs Of the District gov
ernment during my four years Of
experience. and we have been in the
newspaper headlines" he said. But
have any evidences of graft or cor
ruption been found? I assure you
that the District government is a fine
one. The Commissioners cannot be
excelled for activity and energy and
] am sure that they will continue to
work for the improvement of the
District"
Predicts Wonderful Future.
Col. Bell also predicted that "a won
sderful future" faces the National
sCapital. but warned that it's develop
.ment would be fraught with difficult
ties. The organized citizens, he de-
,clared. have a big and important
problem ahead in welding together
for harmonious action the various po-
litical entities involved in the develop
nr< SzH "a fnv "a nI, ,f,r0
TRY to work in harmony, not only
among yourselves" he added, "but
with the people in Maryland and Vir-
fginia."
Gen. Summerall described Commits.
.sioner Bell as a type of the product
sof the Corps of Engineers of the
Army of which 1t is proud, and point.
ed out that great work" is awaiting
him on the Pacific Coast, where he
has been detailed upon the expiration
sof his assignment as Engineer Com.
slnissioner Of the District.
Col. Grant sketched briefly some OF
his associations with Commissioner
Bell on the Zoning and National Cap.
dtal Park and Planning commissions,
and declared that he was sorry they
are coming to a close. Il am sure"
he said, that in the long lists of En-
trict has had, none has so won the
hearts of the people as Col. Bell"
Col. Grant lauded the present com.
mission form of government of the
District, asserting that he has known
many municipal officers in his career,
but never has he met any so fine" as
those who serve the District.
Confidence of All.
Commissioner Sidney F. Taliaferro
likewise said he regretted the loss to
the District Of Col. Bell and Commits
sioner Proctor i. Dougherty pointed
out that Commissioner Bell has the
confidence of Congress, the. business
trict "to an unusual degree"
Mr.. Suter told Of Commissioner
Bells interest in the activities OF
organized citizenship and his father
ing of the Citizens Advisory Council
and declared that he stands out
most conspicuously OF all the Com
missioners.'
"Col. Bell" he said, "has a vision
of Washington as great world Cap
ital--a city where American citizen
ship reaches its highest point"
others who paid tribute to Col
Bell were James G. Yaden, president
of the Federation OF Citizens Asso
Citations. and Miss Mabel Boardman
former District Commissioner.
Charles I. Stengle, who presided al
the ceremonies, explained at the out
set that the people Of Washington are
denied the right to vote. but not to
show their appreciation for the serv
ices Of a public official.
Presentation Made.
Mr.. Stengle presented to Commits
sioner Bell, on behalf Of the people
of the District, a watch and chain. in
scribed with q testimonial for his
faithful public service. To Mrs. Bel
and her daughter, Marjorie, he pre-
sented bouquets of flowers.
The audience at the farewell testi
monial was composed chiefly of rep