Evening star., 1934-11-13
WETM0RE GIVEN
FAREWELL DINNER
Retiring Treasury Official
Praised for Half Gen.
tury of Service.

tribute last night to James A. Wet
more, at q farewell banquet st the
Carlton Hotel in tribute to his nearly
half a century in the Government
service, about 10 years Of which were
spent as acting supervising architect
of the Treasury.
Distinguished speakers from both
Republican and Democratic admins
trations praised Judge" Wetmore as
a friend, able public servant and ad-
ministrator Of difficult tasks for the
Federal Government.
Wetmore is retiring November 80 on
account of his age of II years from
the Federal service as chairman Of
the Board of Awards of the Public
Works Branch Procurement Division,
Treasury Department. His name ap-
pears on countless corner stones Of
public buildings throughout the coun-
try.
The guest Of honor was presented q
handsome scroll bearing sentiments of
appreciation from associates in the
old supervising architects office, and
a substantial gift in money from many
friends to be applied to the purchase
of a motor boat in Florida, where he
plans to make his home.
Tributes to Oficer.
Outstanding among the tributes
paid the retiring officer Of the Gov
ernment were praises for his integrity,
his faithfulness to duty and de
lightful' sense Of humor, which was
declared to be not only entertaining,
but highly valued asset in his difn-
cult post.
william E. Reynolds, in charge Of
the Public Work Branch, Procure
ment Division, Treasury Department,
declared that Wetmore had prose
cuted one of the largest building
projects ever drawn" He admired
Wetmore for his ability and his
sound judgment"
A letter from former Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury Byron r.
Newton, read by Fred p Trott, char
acterized Wetmore as wise old owl"
and generously appraised him for
characteristics of mind and heart.
Praised by Heath.
Maj. Ferry K Heath, Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury under
President Hoover, pointed out that
Wetmore had served under IL differ
ent administrations and was due the
blessings of every one who has ever
known him"
Rear Admiral c. J. Peoples, di-
rector of the Procurement Division,
declared that the definition of a man
by John Paul Jones, father of the
American Navy. could be applied to
Wetmore 100 per cent
Richard N. Elliott, former member
of Congress, who was chairman of
the House Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds, declared that
Wetmore had been a tower of
strength and assistance in all public
building legislation"
L. w. Robert, jr., Assistant Secre-
tary of the Treasury, who formerly
supervised the Treasury's construc-
ton program before organization Of
the Procurement Division, expressed
regret at Wetmore's departure, de-
claring that the Government needs
men of his long experience.
Presented Scroll.
Louis A. Simon, now supervising
architect, presented Wetmore the
handsome hand-embellished scroll,
which expressed the continuing af-
fection and regard" of old associates.
The gift for a motor boat was pre-
sented by Edwin B. Morris. toast
master.
In his response Wetmore referred
to the old typewriter on which he
wrote as q stenographer nearly so
years ago as making so much racket
that people said it sounded like q
skeleton having fit on a tin roof. 1"
Wetmore, said he, being a lawyer,
turned over architectural and tech
nical matters to technical men on
his staff and directed the ofice as an
administrator. He took the post as
supervising architect ON June Is,
1915, expecting to act in this posi-
ton for only short while, but was
continued to February, this year,
when the Procurement Division was
organized.
Others Present.
Other officials introduced to the
gathering by Toastmaster Morris in
cluded Daniel w. Bell, acting director
of the budget; Leroy Barton, special
assistant to the Secretary of the Treas
ury; Neal A. Melick, acting supervising
engineer; L. c. Martin, assistant to
Mr.. Reynolds; w. K. Laws, chief of
the Law Division; E. r. Whitman Of
the Law Division, Allan Mills, admin
istrative assistant to the supervising
architect; J. H. Schaefer, ofiice man
ager, and William A. Carr, chairman
of the Dinner Committee.