Evening star., 1938-04-26
FLEMING URGES
VICTORY BY VOTE
Banker, Honored by Society
of Natives, Says Doubt
Has Been Cleared.

where he was presented with hand
some certificate, awarded annually by
vote Of the society. Two speakers men,
toned him for President of the United
States.
There had been a time, Mr.. Fleming
told the natives, when he had some
doubt in regard to the franchise" for
the District. But that doubt, he added,
had been cleared"
Hopes for Realization.
Hoping that the District may come
to realization Of its hopes in the
near future" he called on residents
here to go to the polls April 80, to
register their desire to be placed in
the class Of other cities OF this Ma
ton" This was greeted with burst
Of applause.
In expressing appreciation for the
honor conferred on him, Mr.. Fleming
declared: There is no city in the
world more beautiful than Washing
ton. Nowhere are there finer people
than those residing here. nor does
there exist anywhere a greater at
mosphere of cooperation and friend
illness.
But" he added, I'VE have a prob
lem before us-the problem Of keep
ing our city the object of admiration
not only of this Nation, but Of the
world, and of continuing its fine ira
ditions for friendliness and its reputa-
ton Of being the best place on earth
in which to live.
1T seems to me that if we are to
maintain the prestige Of our city and
continue our progress toward recogni-
centers of the world. it is necessary
that one Of the objectives Of our So
ciety-its advocacy of national repre-
sentation-become an accomplished
fact"
Mentioned for President.
1t was william E. Richardson, presi-
dent Of the society. presiding, who first
mentioned Mr.. Fleming for president
Of the United States. He said there
was only one elective ONCE to which
resident Of Washington might OH
cially aspire and the society would be
willing to support him for that post
900 per cent"
The award was presented to Mr..
Fleming by John Clagett Proctor,
chairman of the Committee on Award
The certificate explained the society
by unanimous vote rendered the award
for the most meritorious and out
standing public and civic service rem.
dered by a native Of the District Of Co.
lumbia during the year 1897. along too
numerous and varied lines Of endeavor
for enumeration within the limits Of
this certificate"
Mr.. Proctor and Mr. Richardson
praised the distinguished career. and
many accomplishments, both local and
national Of the guest OF honor. Mr..
Proctor referred the society to Who's
Who for Mr.. Flemings record He
mentioned few: Former president
of the American Bankers Association
and member Of its Executive Com
| mittee, member of the Advisory Board
OF the Reconstruction Finance Corp,
chairman OF the Board of Trustees OF
George Washington University, treas
urer Of the Washington Symphony
Orchestra, treasurer and trustee OF the
Corcoran Gallery Of Art and trustee
Of the Training School for Boys.
Tribute also was paid Mr.. Fleming
by Henry I. Quinn, former president
| OF the District Bar Association. II
the District ever has Mr.. Fleming as
Candidate" declared the speaker,
hes going to be a hard man to beat"
Cites Foreign" Rule.
Calling on the District to assert
itself in putting forward its own
people for public office. Mr.. Quinn
said public office here often was held
by men who were mot native WASH
ingtonians-not even adopted sons"
1T is natural to resent the undue
intrusion of Federal officers into
strictly local AFFAIRS" declared the
speaker. when they overstep the
bounds and move into the domain in
which they have no right, it makes
your blood boil.'
Tribute was paid another native
Washingtonian, Frank B. Noyes, who
has retired as president of the Asso-
ciated Press. Mr.. Noyes had been
invited to speak at the banquet, but
sent his regrets due to the Associated
Press sessions in New York.
Mr.. Noyes' career was praised by
Fred A. Emery. former president of
the Society of Natives.
"As head of that great organization
Of 1,400 newspapers that represent
many millions of the reading public
Of America" said Mr.. Emery, 'he has
directed the policies Of the worlds
greatest Of all news organizations
during the stressful period in the ad-
ministrations of eight Presidents,
from Mckinley to Franklin D. Roose-
welt. And it IS even q longer period
Of constructive leadership, for he has
been a member Of the Associated
Press Executive Committee since 1894,
the year Of the Coxey army and other
spectacular events. The 80
years Of Mr.. Noyes' direction Of the
outstanding news organization Of the
world has covered one Of the greatest
epochs in all time"
Cultural Phase Cited.
The Rev. Edward Fitzgerald, o. p,
Of Catholic University, who said he
was proud to have been born in
"Bloodfield," praised the National
Capital as great center of learning
and scientific endeayor
Here more than in any other city
In the country" he declared, ARE
tools of every description for INTEL
lectual endeavor." He referred to
libraries, public and private, and the
machinery Of the Federal Govern
ment
Walter Bastian, former president Of
the District Bar Association, joined in
praise Of Mr.. Fleming Of the District
Of Columbia and entertained the
society hilariously with 4 humorous
speech.
/ A,,air u,os hv CooroA II n,Flonnor