Evening star., 1937-02-07
BOARD OF TRADE
HALLS PROSPERITY
RETURN TO j. s.
"SpeechIess" Dinner Motif
Is "ShoW Boat" of Fer.
ber Fame.
NOTED GUESTS CROSS
GANGPLANK TO ENTER
800 Attend Feast and Cheer Clev.
er Program-Morris Leads
in Greetings.

of Trade last night celebrated the re-
cent strides toward the return OF
prosperity.
Ambassadors, cabinet officers. men,
bers Of Congress and the leading citi-
zens of Washington gathered in the
Mayfower Hotel to eat, sing and loud
ly applaud stage show modelled after
the Show Boat" Of Edna Ferber.
In the interest of local color sounds
of swishing waves, gale at sea and
lively steam calliope. the chief come
on musical instrument Of a real show
boat, were emitted ut intervals
through three loud-speakers in the
lobby outside the ball room Of the
hotel.
Over the entrance to the space re-
served for the diners was large sign
announcing Show Boat"
Guests Cross Gangplank.
To gain admission to the ball room
and the annual dinner guests crossed
an improvised gangplank, at the head
of which stood a large hotel employe
who turned a creaking pilot wheel 10
give the full effect of life aboard a
river craft.
The first item on the program was
a reception in the Chinese room,
where a line of Board of Trade off,
cials, headed by President Edgar Nor
ris, greeted the distinguished guests.
Next was the dinner, which attracted
800 men. at each of whose places was
an elaborate menu and program bear
ing this announcement from Edgar
Morris:
This evening We may we'll celebrate
The passing of a year which has been
marked by continued advancement
toward the restoration Of normalcy.
All of us, in this community, have
experienced the JOY which comes from
cooperative effort along the road OF
progress.
Active Half Century.
"The Board of Trade, which now
includes in its membership almost
4,c00 representative citizens, has been
an important instrumentality in WASH
ington's development for almost half
century. Its record of achievement
in the past, coupled with the activity
and enthusiasm of its members. in
dioates continued and even greater ac-
complishments for the community in
the future
I'VE are deeply grateful to our
distinguished guests for their CO.
operation and helpfulness in making
these achievements possible. Without
the whole-hearted interest which the
officers Of our national and local gov.
ernments have consistently exhibited.
progress would have been extremely
difficult.
THE Washington Board of Trade
will continue to merit its responsibili-
ties as the outstanding representative
organization working for the advance
ment and promotion of Washington
the Capital Of our great Nation"
Throughout the dinner Leon Brusi.
lofts orchestra played almost con.
tinously songs which invited the
vocal cooperation of the guests, such
as Let Me Call You Sweetheart"
Maryland. My Maryland" and Aud
Lang Syne." While the xylophone
tinkled merrily. Roger Whiteford.
one of the city's leading lawyers. lead
an impromptu group of harmonizers
in series Of songs.
O'Connor Plays Capt. Henry.
Just as one group of walters re-
moved the dessert (hazelnut ice
cream with branded f1gs) and an
other passed the cigars. the lights
were turned out and George O'Con-
nor. dressed as the Capt. Henry Of
the Chow Boat. appeared on the stage
and the show was on.
First on the program was a short
excerpt from the moving picture
SHOW Boat" and then came eight
dancing girls, India-rubber Bill Tuck.
and singing and novelty numbers
13 in ALL The entertainment was
arranged by C. Hayward Marshall.
chairman of the General Committee
for the boards mid-Winter dinner.
The honored guests sat at long
table along the east side of the ball
room on each side of President Morris.
Below the dais on which this table
rested was another long table.
Throughout the ball room we're round
tables and in the balcony boxes sat
still more guests.
List of Those Attending.
The full list of persons who at.
tended the dinner follows:
The Ambassador o. Germany.
The Ambassador of the Union Of
Soviet Socialist Republics.
The Ambassador of Japan.
The Ambassador Of Cuba.
TIL. Ambassador of Turkey.
The ambassador of Spain.
The Ambassador of Italy.
The SECRETARY of War.
The Secretary of Commerce.
Prince Eugene de Ligne, Charge
d'Affaires of Belgium.
The Governor of the State of Mary
land.
Melvin c. Hazen, president of the
Board of Commissioners, District Of
Columbia.
Daniel I. Sultan, Engineer Commis-
sioner Of the District of Columbia.
Senators William H. King. Royal S.
Copalopd 7 Hor,ilfop IauiS Rnhort