Evening star., 1938-01-11
|NHAB|TANTSFETE
JOHN R. MAH0NEY
Roosevelt, by Letter, Joins
Association in Honoring
Financial Secretary.

Congratulated by personal letters
from President Roosevelt and others,
and by q capacity audience Of his
friends and associates, John n. Maho-
ney, 4 vice president and financial
secretary Of the Association Of Oldest
Inhabitants, celebrated his birthday
last night at Old Union Engine
House-but whether It was his Goth,
9lst, or 92nd, was left somewhat in
the air.
He received fluctuations on all three
ages, admitted he had lost his Goth
birthday somewhere along the line
probably last year-but said he pre-
ferred to believe the record in the
family Bible, which fixed his age
at 81.
Music made the venerable rafters Of
Old Union Engine House ring, and
when 1t was all over Patriarch" Ma
honey said he felt like dancing, but
turned rather to visiting with his
many friends.
Looks to Tooth Birthday.
His speech Of response was
pithy. characteristically humorous, and
looked to the future, when he hopes
to celebrate his Tooth anniversary.
Denying he was proud from ego
tism, Mr.. Mahoney expressed q par
donable pride in the occasion, and in
the appreciation expressed during the
evening. He praised the Association
OF Oldest Inhabitants as "old and
honorable" and predicted 1t would
outlive the building in which now it
IS housed. He hoped to see some day
. new home for the organization, with
modern improvements and comfort for
members, and space for the many
museum relics now housed in the Old
Union Engine House, where the asso-
ciation meets. Mr.. Mahoney recalled
that prediction Of his 10 years ago
had come true-that shacks along
Pennsylvania Avenue between the Cap
ltol and Treasury would disappear.
One Of the things Of which he said he
was proud was that he had seen the
Nations Capital. where horses, pigs
and cows roamed the open spaces.
changed to city Of beauty and gran
deur."
| Heurich Sends Flovers.
In addition to the letters Of felici-
tation and informal remarks of the
evening. Mr.. Mahoney was the recipi-
ent OF several gifts. including a huge
bouquet of flowers from Mr.. and Mrs.
Christian Heurich. Mr.. Heurich, It
was pointed out by Jesse c. suter. a
vice president Of the association. who
presided. u the oldest member Of the
association. now o. years Of age.
In reviewing Mr.. Mahmeys career.
Mr.. Suter pointed out his life stretched
back to the days when James K. polk
was President Of the United States.
former President John Quincy Adams
was serving as q member of the House
ana Henry Clay, John c. Calhoun and
Daniel Webster were leaders in Con-
sress. The population o. this CITY
then was only 5l,6S7. he pointed out,
during the time when the temperance
ana total abstinence movement began
to sweep the country.
Temperance Activity Cited.
Pointing to Mr.. Mahoney's activity
IN the temperance movement, Mr..
euter referred to his public lectures
Tor abstinence, membership in the
Rechabites, and how 4 meeting Of
temperance leaders here In Washing
ton led to formation Of the Anti.
saloon League of the District Of Co
lumbia. Mr.. suter said the forma-
tion OF the Anu-Saloon League of
America really started. therefore, in
Mr.. Mahoney's 'parlor," instead of in
Ohio, its generally accredited BIRTH
place. Mr.. Mahoney was ruler of the
Grant Tent Of the District Of Colum-
bia Rechabites for two years and for
many years WAS high tent secretary
for the Nation.
Theodore w. Noyes, president of the
Association Of Oldest Inhabitants. In
= letter to Mr.. Mahoney. read to the
assembly by Mr.. suter, declared: I'VE
celebrate tonight with rejoicing tho
9lst, Goth or s2d birthday Of Patriarch
Mahoney (for final figures see latest
family Bible returns)-the oldest Of
our members in the associations ofI1-
cial service as financial secretary.
I'VE pay tribute to his fine Qualities
Of mind and heart, and to his influ-
ence for good in his lifelong fight
against John Barleycorn.
Our hearty congratulations and
best wishes for health and for indefi-
mite pfolongAtion Of = long and happy
life to our highly valued friend, Of
sound common sense, and frank, blunt
speech. May God bless him alwaysv'
Best Wishes From Roosevelt.
President Roosevelt was one Of those
who picked the age Of 81 for Mr.. Ma
honey ii, his congratulations. at gives
me real pleasure" wrote the President,
Ito send you my congratulations and
very best wishes on this occasion y
John clasett Proctor read IN original
poem in tribute. .-..
The Chesapeake h Potomac, Tele-
phone Glee Club. Robert H. Davidson,
director, presented q program of sew
eral choral numbers, with George
Small in feature solo Of harmonica
and guitar. Director Davidson read
| original poems. The club was roundly
| applauded. Other musicians also much
appreciated were Mrs. Ruth Dowling
Habted, soprano, accompanied by Mrs.
Elizabeth Collision Hill, and Miss Mil
dred Deane, Accompanist. The invo-
cation was by Rev. r. I. Barnes OF
North Carolina Methodist Protestant
Church.
The committee in charge consisted
OF Walter =. Allen, chairman; Henry
A. Burr, Harry w. Dowling. Z. c.
Palmer, Jesse G. Suter and J. H. A.
Fowler.