Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-26
STORE CELEBRATES
7DTH ANNIVERSARY
Advertising Club Sponsors
Luncheon for Woodward
& Lothrop'S.

ing of Woodward g. Lothrop's depart
ment store, one of the National Capt.
tails largest and oldest commercial
institutions, was celebrated with a
luncheon sponsored by the Washington
Advertising Club in the National Press
Club yesterday, when more than $50
Elen, representative of business and Of
fetal Washington, joined in paying
tribute to the store and to the princi-
pies which have dominated its business
methods
The occasion was featured by the
promise of w. w. Everett, vice presi-
dent and general manager of the store
that, beginning March /, plans will be
begun for an even larger and better
store, so that when our seventy-fifth
anniversary comes around in 1855 we
still viii be a store worthy of the
Nations Capital as the Capital will be
at that time. We believe. the wonder
full improvements that are now being
wrought in our city will attract many
States, and that Washington and the
surrounding country will be far larger
and better than it is today"
"reminiscences of the early days of
Washington's commercial life, when adj
vertising was in its infancy and Wood
ward e. Lothrop'S had published in The
Star its first display advertisement
WHICH WAS run lOL INO WSSASt
marked Mr.. Everett's address.
Distinguished Guests.
William. Knowles Cooper, vice presi-
dent of Crane, Paris & Co., investment
bankers, was the other speaker. The
presence of Commissioner Proctor L.
Dougherty and Lieut.. Col. u. S. Grant,
Sd, director of the Office of Public
Buildings and Public Parks, lent an OH
cial touch to the meeting.
Ernest S. Johnston, president Of the
Advertising Club, presided. At the
speakers table were Mr.. Everett and
Mr.. Cooper, Commissioner Dougherty,
Col. Grant, Donald Woodward, presi-
dent of the store; George N. Everett,
vice president; Max Fischer, treasurer;
B. w. Parker, director; John Poole,
president of the Federal American Ma
tional Bank; William S. Corby, Robert
Ripley, the cartooniSt; Martin A. Leese,
to whom was recently awarded the
Cosmopolitan Medal for WaShington's
most valuable citizen during 1929, and
Milton r. Baker, manager of radio sta
ton WAAL.
There were so tables, each bearing a
candle, representative of a year in the
life of the store. The ceremonies were
begun with the lighting of the candles.
Charles J. Columbus, managing d.
briefly of the employees of the firm and
read a list of old employees, many of
whom had completed more than 40
years service.
Details Stores History.
Mr.. Everett gave detailed history of
| the growth of the store, pointing out
the many trade innovations in which
Woodward g. Lothrop'S was the pioneer,
lnn1 IL HI C1N fyNfr n eff
as the principal shopping thoroughfare
of the city.
The first store occupied a small build
ing at 705 Market Space, he related,
and was called the Boston Dry Goods
House" Associated with Samuel w.
Woodward and Alvin M. Lothrop in the
enterprise was Charles E. Cochrane.
This store had floor area Of only
| LOO square feet.
The business gradually outgrew its
small quarters. More and more COM
modious buildings were occupied, until
/ the business was moved to its present
| site, at the corner of Eleventh and F
streets, in 1887. The acquisition of the
entire block, now owned by the firm,
with the exception of the northwest
| corner of Tenth and F streets, was slow,
| but in 1912 it was accomplished.
The speaker traced the change in
| business methods and conveniences
from 1880 to the present day, laying
particular stress on the strict ad-
herence of those who guided the
destiny of the store to the sound and
honest principles that motivated the
conduct of the founders.
Began in Boston.
Mr.. Cooper presented historical
sketch of the founders, with whom
he was on intimate terms. He said that
Mr.. Woodward and Mr.. Lothrop began
business in Boston, later moving to
the neighboring City of Chelsea. After
an extensive survey of various Eastern
cities they selected Washington as the
site for store, being convinced that
the Capital City had bright CONNER
cial future.
Among the principles for which they
always stood, he declared. were truth
| in advertising, the one-price system and
the "return-if -not-Satisfactory" plan.
The store has grown to such proper
tons, he pointed out, that it now en-
ploys 1000 persons, % having been
| with the firm for 40 years or more and
| 1872 having served for 25 years.
The annual good fellowship dinner OF
the Twenty-Year Club, composed of
employees who have been with Wood
ward 81 Lothrop 20 years, was held last
night at the Raleigh Hotel.
The invocation was given by L. +.
Kibbey, following which the members
stood and paid silent tribute to the
| founders of the business.
New Members in Club.
j. A. Hobson, president of the club
made brief address, in which he spoke
of the organization and introduced
Donald Woodward, who acted as toast
master. Mr.. Woodward received the
following new members into the club:
Miss Mamie J. Boland, John j. Dono-
/ van, G. Hatcher Gibson, Miss Anna K.
| Holzschuh, Miss Bessie B. Lockhead,
Charles T. Mcdonald and Miss Pearl
Walker. These new members were
| thereupon initiated by committee con-
sisting of H. E. Mockbee, w. H. Lehman
and w. T. Brady.
Mr.. Fischer, the treasurer; William
Davies and Mr.. Kibbey, who were with
the firm when it started in business on
| Pennsylvania avenue so years ago, told
| of a number of interesting events dur
| ing the early years of their employ
| ment.
The principal address was given by
William Knowles Cooper. The Wood
lothian Chorus. under the direction OF
William H. Starnell, rendered selec-
| tions. A two-act play, under the direc-
ton of r. A. Halstead with scenes and
costumes of so years ago, was presented
/ l.. II. B. Robinett was chairman of the
banquet committee.
Guests of the club were H " Oster-
mayer, Miss G. M. Maxwell, Miss M. v