Evening star., 1940-04-23
Society Of Natives
Honors Justice Laws
For Service 10 D. {.
Banquet Also Marks
10th Anniversary Of
ORGANIZATION

The presentation of a certificate
to Justice Bolitha j. Laws of Dis
trict Court as the native Wash
ingtonian who rendered the most
outstanding" public and civic SER
vice during 1899 and a program
of musical selections and recitationS
marked the annual banquet last
night of the Society of Natives of
the District of Columbia, held in
the Mayfower Hotel. The banquet
was of double significance in that
it was held also in celebration of the
goth anniversary of the founding
of the society.
William E. Richardson, a past
president of the society and chair
man of special committee named
to select the person to receive the
award, which is given annually
by the society, made the presen-
tation. He called attention to
Justice Laws career as lawyer and
justice and told how the jurist had
been selected from among num-
ber of prominent native Washing
tonians for the honor. Justice
Laws selection had been unanimous
ly approved at previous meeting
of the society.
Services Cited.
The framed certificate bore an
engraved inscription which read in
part:
This is to certify that by the
unanimous vote of the members
of this society, Bolitha j. Laws, a
justice of the District Court of the
United States for the District of
Columbia, has been awarded this
certificate of merit for the year
1899. This award is based upon
his outstanding record as a jurist
in the prompt and impartial ad-
ministration of justice, his able
advocacy of the civil and political
rights of the residents of the Dis
trict of Columbia and his loyal
service in the advancement of our
social, charitable, religious and
patriotic institutions.
Justice Laws in response declared
that the recognition of his efforts,
through the presentation of the
certificate, would inspire him to
"still greater efforts
Then, in an address, he empha-
sized the important place the Dis
trict holds in the Nation, declaring
that a citizen of the District is
accepting challenge from through
out the country" in that programs
and ideas developed here spread
rapidly.
Praises Pre-Trial Procedure.
Justice Laws criticized lawyers
who go to court improperly pre-
pared to present their cases, and
judges and citizens who become lax
in their efforts to help toward
proper and speedy justice.
Asserting that more attention is
now being turned toward the courts
than ever before, Justice Laws
praised methods to "streamline"
court procedure, told of the effec-
tiveness of the new rules of civil
procedure and extolled the new
method of pre-trial procedure
adopted here for its aid in speeding
up the handling of cases.
Upon motion of Mr.. Richardson,
the society adopted a resolution to
send a message to Justice Peyton
Gordon of District Court express
ing sympathy over his recent illness.
and wishing him a speedy recovery.
A program of entertainment in
cluded vocal and instrumental selec-
tions by the Chesapeake g. Poto-
mac Telephone Co. Glee Club
Quartet. readings by Robert H.
Davidson, piano solos by Mrs. Cert
rude Mockbee and humorous talk
by Harold S. FitZ.
The program was opened with
invocation by the Very Rev. Arthur
A. OLeary, president of George
town University. Louis L. Bowdler,
president of the society, introduced
distinguished members of the
society and guests seated at the
head table.
The guest list included:
A
Ash. Miss Jennie
Bowdler, Louis Blaine, Miss Rebecca
Bowdler, Mrs, Brett, Mrs. Anna E.
| Bradshaw. Robert L. Beagle, Miss Ida M
| Bradshaw, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. E. W.
| Beresford, Miss E. Bright, Miss E A.
Beresford, Miss K. Baer, Dr. B. A.
| Buck, Miss Fanny Baer, Mrs
Butt. Mrs. Mary W. Bullock, Mrs. May
BoSley, DR.. M. A. Bangs, H. Clifford
G.
Calvert. George c. Cleveland. W. I.
Calvert, Mrs. Cleveland. Mrs
G1ark Glark' Rf; Mr. C. C. Gsrk Glsrk a.. 4 P. 'r
| Cook, Mrs G. W. Cockerille, Miss r,
D
Davis. Mrs. Margaret Davidson, Mrs.
Donahay. Miss Peggy Dougherty, Dr. s. B.
| Draper, Henry W. Dougherty. Mrs.
| Deutsch, Mrs. H. c. Dunham, Mrs. Irene
| Dingley. Miss E. w. Droop. Carl A.
Dent Edward A. Droop, Mrs.
Dent. Mrs. Dunno, Ray G.
| DAILY. Mrs. HarriettDunne, Mrs.
Davidson, Robert H.
F
Fowler: Henry F. A. Fitz, Mrs.
Fitz, Harold Fernald, Mrs. Fred
G
| Groverman W. H. Garland, Mrs K NJ
Groverman MIS-. CARRIER, Mrs. Paul
Galloway, Mrs. L NJ Guide, Miss Z c. n.
Greenlee, Miss =. e.
II
Hendley, Mrs; A. T. Hartuns, Mrs.
Hartung, Arthur Hodge, Mrs. Ada 3.
4