Evening star., 1940-10-06
District Leaders
Pay Tribute 10
Dr.. bowerndn
Four Speakers Proise
Retiring Librarians
'36 Years of Service

30 IeOTS OF SSIVICS
Nearly $50 leaders in the civic,
cultural, governmental and educa-
tional life of the Nations Capital
gathered yesterday to pay tribute
to DR.. George F. Bowerman and to
wish him health and happiness
upon his retirement after 36 years
as librarian of the Public Library
of the District of Columbia.
The prominent assembly, partici-
pating in a luncheon at the May
flower Hotel, heard four speakers
praise DR.. Bowerman's tireless ef-
forts that directed the growth Of
the institution from plant taking
up single floor to a system with
a central library of IL branches.
Over the speakers table hung the
red-starred and red-striped flag Of
the District.
In response, the honor guest
looked to the future of the library
and urged continued support of its
interests Among the needed serv-
were those to patients of hospitals,
especially crippled children, and the
organization of discussion clubs in
branch libraries.
Mr.. Noyes Praises Leadership.
Theodore w. Moves, first and only
president of the library Board Of
Trustees and the only living mem.
Der of the board which first ap.
pointed DR.. Bowerman librarian,
recalled how from the very first
I WAS impressed by the intelligent
forcefulness of his personality"
After tracing the history of the
struggle to have the library created
by Congress and the painstaking
work of nurturing it through its
early years, Mr.. Noyes asserted that
the library structure of today was
created under the leadership of DR..
Bowerman and largely by his direct
action.
The whole Capital is now alive
to the community usefulness and
value of the public library and en-
thusiastic in the avowed purpose to
promote its growth in capacity to
serve the public Mr.. Noyes said.
In the development of this gov
ernmental and community thought,
DR.. Bowerman has played promi-
nent part. In relinquishing his Ii
brarianship he leaves an inspiring
record of helpful library and civic
activity and carries with him the
affectionate regard of his host of
friends and their hearty good wishes
that he may enjoy many years OF
health and happiness"
Worked for Appropriations.
Commissioner Melvin G. Hazen.
speaking on behalf of the city,
brought hearty laughter from the
assembly when he facetiously
touched on d.. Bowerman's unceas-
ing efforts for large appropriations
for the library system.
IF it wasn't for these close-fisted
commissioners, DR.. Bowerman would
have had all the money We have"
he said.
In a more serious vein, the Board
of Commissioners president, ad-
dressing himself to the honor guest.
said: No man, it seems to me, has
rendered a more distinguished serv-
ice to the District than yourself.
I wish you a long life OF
usefulness and happiness. Your
deeds will live after you in all the
years to come"
Archibald MacLeish. librarian OF
Congress. referred to DR. Bower
man from the standpoint of one who
has seen the innerworkings of a
library and knows the effort de-
manded of library STATS
"One of the greatest services per-
formed in a democracy is by the
people who work in a library the
noted librarian and poet said. ITS
a self sacrificing service.
DIR. Bowerman is entitled to all
the gratitude that you feel for him.
know that, for I have seen some
thing of what he has done"
Presented With Gift.
Representing the library Board of
Trustees was former District Court
Justice Wendell P. Stafford, who, at
the close of his remarks, presented
DR.. Bowerman, on behalf of the
guests, a handsome combination
radio and automatic phonograph.
Referring to- the time when the
retiring librarian first came to the
District, Justice Stafford said:
You found us weak; you leave
us strong You came to us in day
of small things. You despised them
not, and they have become exceed
ing great. You found us with
narrow outlook; you leave us with
limitless horizon. say you be-
cause all this is so largely the fruit
of your courage, industry, sagacity
(See BOWERMAN, Page B-2)