Evening star., 1932-03-09
HOLMES LISTENS
To BAR TRIBUTES
Radio Brings Greetings From
Dinner of Federal Bar
Association.

In the book lined study Of his home
in I street former Justice Oliver Wer-
dell Holmes last night heard a radio
pour forth tributes and eulogies rom
some of the countrys most distinguished
lawyers on the occasion of his 9lst
birthday.
To distinguished company brought
together at banquet of the Federal
Bar Association to honor him the great
jurist had sent formal regrets that he
could not attend He never leaves the
quiet confines of his red-bricked home
at night and Is Spartanlike in his in
sistenee that his birthdays call for no
fanfaronade.
In a message supplementing his de-
clination, read over the radio by Solici-
tor General Thomas D. Thacher, JUS
tice Holmes said: Your kind invitation
for March has been answered, I be-
lieve, in due form. But I cannot say
farewell to life and you in formal words
Likens Life to Picture
Life seems to me like a japanese
picture which our imagination does not
allow to end with the margin. We aim
at the infinite and when our arrow falls
to earth, it is in flames.
AT times the ambitious ends OF life
have made it seem to me lonely, but 1t
has not been. You have given me the
companionship of dear friends who
have helped to keep alive the fire IN my
heart. II I could think that had sent
a spark to those who come after. I
should be ready to say good-by."
There were those who read in his
words an ominous portent, an indication
that he feels the end is not far away.
For several years, Justice Holmes has
recognized with grim but withal cheer
full humor that he can not live for
ever. He ended his first and last
radio address on his ninetieth birthday
with a quotation from Latin poet:
Death plucks at my ear and says:
Live I am coming" He has referred
to himself as ghost" but added
whimsically that he was a cheerful one.
Since he quit the court few weeks
ago, however, he has recovered much
Of his vigor and sparkle. There Is no
immediate concern about him.
Numerous messages, many OF them
from abroad, were read at the bar
meeting.
Thacher, speaking as toastmaster at
the dinner, paid high tribute to the
distinguished jurist. He said in part:
Tonight, in a quiet study not far
from here-and, thanks to modern
science, within the sound of my voice
there is a man who has scaled the
heights and, ,gallantly bowling to the in
evitable, has taken his permanent place
in our affections His works will be
known as long as there are courts to
administer justice, for he is great
prophet-perhaps the greatest our pro-
fession has ever known, and his con-
ception of the judicial process, so
clearly enunciated over so years ago, Il
our best hope in the painful process OF
adjusting ancient dogma to the start
| ling changes of the modern world.
But 1t is of the man himself we
| think tonight, his qualities Of mind and
spirit which have made him the gallant
! soul We love-Oliver Wendell Holmes,
| Jr.
Hoover Sends Greetings.
The President of the United States,
knowing that you would be within the
sound Of my vonce tonight carried
| through these mysterious instruments
upon the table before me- has graciously
requested me to read to you, Mr.. Justice
Holmes, this message:
I wish to congratulate you most
heartily upon your 9lst birthday, and
to wish you every blessing.
Yours faithfully.
HERBERT HOOVER"
William r. Valance, president Of the
Bar Association, presided at the dinner,
which was held in the Shoreham Hotel.
Among the speakers were Judge Learned
Hand and Representative James M.
Beck of Pennsylvania, former solicitor
general.
Among those who accepted invitations
were Secretary Adams of the Navy
| Department, Secretary of Labor Doak,
Secretary Wilbur of the Interior De-
partment, Senator Smoot Of Utah and
Justice Owen J. Roberts Of the su-
preme Court.
Justice Holmes spent the day quietly
Friends called and chatted. Among
them was Attorney General Mitchell.