Evening star., 1928-12-08
DOUGHERTY CITES
PROGRESS OF CITY
Association of Oldest Inhabi-
tantS Holds Annual
Banquet.


as the latest manifestation of Wash
ington's development into the outStand-
ing capital of the world. Proctor L.
Doughcrty, chairman OF the Board of
Commissioners. last night hailed that
event as promise of the early realiza-
ton of even greater projects for the
advancement of the city.
Joining the head of the local govern
ment. not alone in his attitude OF
optimism but in personal pledges OF
support of their organizations in carry
ing forward the erection and manage
ment of Washington in accordance with
the ideals of those who in the past
have laid the foundations so success
fully, were William w. Everett. president
of the Board of Trade; Ivan l. Weld,
president of the Chamber of Commerce,
and Rudolph Jose, president Of the
City Club.
1t was before more than 100 members
of the Association of Oldest Inhabitants,
of the District of Columbia gather
ed at their annual banquet in the
dining room of the Raleigh Hotel that
these men collectively pictured an ideal
Washington--a Washington that would
have an adequate airport an equitable
fiscal understanding with Congress,
national representation, an abundance
Of trees and parks, and industrial en-
terprises of sufficient volume to insure
prosperous economic life for the
populace
Bryan Sounds Keynote.
The keynote Of the banquet was
sounded at the very outset in the FORE
word of Henry L. Bryan, vice president,
who acted as POSTMASTER, and who in
Tfelcoming the guests told them that
The leveling which we daily see now
1pidly going on of those incongruous,
usightly buildings north of the Mall,
Stetching from the Botanic Garden to
Fteenth street. is an assurance that
tn beautifying thereof will be an ac-
coAplished fact ere many of our 447
meabers will have passed the Great
Divide"
NJ. Bryan presided in the absence
and at the request of Theodore w.
Noye, president, and voiced the Sin
cere egret of the association for the
SAD event which had deprived us Of the
pleaSuR of listening, as has been our
wont II former years, to the inspiring
address of our beloved leader"
The exercises were opened with an
snvocatioA by Rev. John Compton Ball,
pastor OF the Metropolitan Baptist
Church. Following the singing of
America" the members stood with
bowed heads while j. Eliot Wright, Sec
retary, read The list of 90 members who
died during the year. A bowl Of %
Snow-whlte carnations, each bearing
the name of a deceased member, graced
the speakers table as a further memo
rial.
In his foreword Mr. Bryan declared
that, as WaShingtonianS, it was source
of qualification that the triangle of
squares south of Pennsylvania avenue,
from Third to Fifteenth streets, is grad
ually being absorbed as sites for Sc
ries of public buildings and their ap-
proacheS whose architecture and en-
Vironment will make fitting improve
ment for the adequate housing of some
of the executive departments and es-
tablishments at the Capital of this great
Republic.
Plans Not Visionary.
"The plans of the farseeing eye of
PEnfant are no longer merely vision
ary. but with the cooperation of tai
ented architects, landscape experts and
experienced constructing engineers, are
approaching a realization which, in
the not distant future, will become the
source of admiration, not only to the
residents Of the District, but to all the
people of our country, as well as to
those from foreign lands who may come
within our borders.
I'VE now can see, rising above the
bosom of the Potomac the foundations
for the beautiful Arlington Memorial
Bridge, across whose graceful arches a
connecting boulevard will join our city
from the stately fame of the Lincoln
Memorial to the ever-sacred precincts
Of Mount Vernon and to the historic
Arlington National Cemetery, that final
resting place of many of our honored
military and naval defenders, contain
ing within its borders the Nations
snow-white marble tribute to the un-
known soldier whose earthly spirit took
ats flight in the carnage of the World
War.
"All Washingtonians feel the deepest
sense Of gratitude to the National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commission,
with 1t collaboratorS, the Commission of
Fine Arts, who have wisely and asSidu-
louSly Striven to protect for the benefit
of all generations those magnificent
free gifts of nature in the picturesque
valley of the Potomac from the turbu-
lent waters of the Great Falls down to
where the wavelets of the river lap the
shores at the borders of Old George
town.
And, crossing the Eastern Branch.
we have seen the vast stretches of
marshes on its eastern banks from Gies-
boro Point up to and beyond Benning
Bridge, which in previous years had
been the resting places of fiocks Of
reed birds, ortolanS and others, on their
journeys TO their Winter homes in the
South, now all changed by the dredging
of the channel and the creation of
the AnacoStia Park, soon to become a
worthy companion of its elder brothers,
the Rock Creek and Potomac Parks. and
all three to be eventually connected
by broad roadway, from Hains Point.
The southern end of Potomac Park,
around the city to Giesboro Point at
the mouth of the Anacostia River.
Lose 29 Members.
Adjoining the upper part of Ana
costa Park, the National Arboretum
OF Mount Hamilton, whose varied sylvan
scenery is comparable to that of the
valley OF Rock Creek, will become on
completion most notable addition to
the development of the natural beau
ties of our beloved District.
The membership of the association
at the close of the year remains the
same as at our last anniversary. the
loss by death Of % having been replaced
Dy the same number of admissions
Out OF the 447 now on our rolls, the
most conspicuous name is that of our
vice president, Maj. S. Willard Saxton
q distinguished veteran of the Civil
War, and until recently regular at
tendant at our meetings, who, if alive
on August 13 of next year, will cross
the century mark Closely following
Mai. Saxton is Edgar F. Owen, now in
his n1nety-eighth year. and there are
BIZ more OF our treasured members who
have passed their fourscore and ten
and 81 are in their eighties.
"A few minutes ago was read the list
of those who died since our last anniver-
sary dinner, the most outstanding name
being that of a vice president, Judge
SharleS S. Bundy, who was at the City
Club with us last year, and, having
reached the age of 81 years, died Octo-
Der 3. On the same list were the names