Smyrna times., 1928-11-28
.GOVERNOR-ELECT c. D. BUCK
is GIVEN FINE TESTIMONIAL
PRESENTED WITH A WATCH BY
STATE HIGHWAY OFFICIALS
Notable Men Including State Highway
Commissioners There - Speakers
Laud Bucks Highway Work

When q. Douglas Buck, State high
way engineer and Govemor-elect,went
to the Hotel DUPONT Biltmore, Will
mington, Tuesday night Of last week
he had no other thought than that he
was to attend a business conference.
But when he walked into the duBarry
room, he learned that he was the
victim" of a surprise dinner arrang-
ed in his honor BY his fellow-workers
in the highway department. The din
ner was given as a testimonial to his
work and leadership in the highway
department during the past eight
years and in honor of his selection as
the next Governor Of the State. About
,l5O employees of the department at
tended. Former Governor John G.
Townsend, United States Senator
elect, told Mr.. Buck that he twill un-
doubtedly make one Of the best Gov
eTnors that the State has ever had" a
prediction that was in accord with
the beliefs Of the men who have work
ed under the next Governor in the
, highway department Mr.. Buck was
presented with a watch, On the case
of which was engraved: Presented to
our chief BY his associates of the
State Highway Department upon the
occasion of his becoming Governor Of
the State Of Delaware" The presen-
tation was made by ". w Mack, sec
retary of the department. Frank NJ.
DUPONT, chairman Of the State High
way Commission, was the postmaster
Mr.. DUPONT called upon a number Of
speakers including United States Sen
ator-elect John G.. Townsend, Jr.,
Josiah Marvel and others, all Of whom
in turn congratulated Mr.. Buck upon
his election, upon his work as head Of
the Highway Department, upon the
work and loyalty of the entire person
mel of his department, and in closing
wished him great success at Govner-
nor. The whole affair was a surprise
to Mr.. Buck In his speech Of ac-
ceptance otter being presented with
the watch by Mr.. Mack, he said he
had never before received such a
pleasant surprise. He said he was
simply told that there would be a con-
ference at the hotel and that he was
wanted As the duBarry room door
was opened and the gathering Of more
than 15O Of his fellow workers from
ali parts Of the State were revealed
seated. waiting dinner until his ar
rival, Mrs Buck said he was the most
surprised han in the State. Rousing
cheers met his entrance al he walked
into duBarry room with Mr.. DUPONT
and others. Those seated at the
speakers table were Mr. Townsend,
Mr.. Buck, Mr.. dupont, Mr. Marvel,
Commissioners Newton I. Grubb,
James Hall Anderson, Joseph n. Hol-
land, Charles H. Grantlaud and Mr..
Mack. Those present included all
employees Of the department, from ex-
.ecutive officials to maintenance men.
Ike. g. Yocum was the chairman on ar
rangements, assisted BY Superinten-
dent of State Highway Police c. G.
REYNOLDS, Samuel Knopf, John Hitch
ems and Mr.. Mack. Mr.. Knopf was
responsible for the design and print
ing Of the programs. These were
finely done in blue print form. On the
front was printed in large white let
ters: "Our Banquet % the Chief, du-
Pont Biltmore on November 20, 1928. :
On an inside page dedicated to Mr..
Buck, the program read: Tonight our
family gathers to pay homage to CD.
Buck, who for the past eight years
has been our Chief. Our admiration
and respect for him is not only shared
By everyone in Delaware, but by the
engineering profession throughout the
country. Under his leadership and
guidance the department has func-
toned SO efficiently that our highway
system, so well planned and policed,
i second to none. This quality Of
leadership shows US the man, honest,
efficient and sincere in purpose, dedi-
eating himself to a high standard Of
citizenship, to serve his State. It
was no surprise to Is, that when the
people Of Delaware needed a master
to guide their ship of state, they be-