Evening star., 1942-02-08
Service Men S Club
Receives $1,000 at
Trade Board Dinner
Annual Midwinter Event
Combines Goiety and
Grim Note of War

The annual midwinter Board Of
Trade dinner last night at the May
flower Hotel was a mixture Of gaiety
and a note of the grim business
facing America-war with the Axis.
In his address of welcome, Fred
A. Smith, president of the board,
announced the presentation of a
check for 81 900 from the organiza-
ton to the Soldiers, Sailors and
Marine Club of the District, raised
through economies in operation" Of
the banquet. The check was pre-
sented 1t. Robert Montgomery, Aim
actor, now on duty with the Navy,
to group of service men who stood
with him on the platform.
Before the presentation Mr.. Smith
asked the following officers, repre-
senting their superior officers to
stand up: Rear Admiral Charles P.
Snyder for Admiral Harold r. Stark,
chief of naval operations; Brig. Gen.
Albert L. Cox, representing Gen.
George c. Marshall, chief of staff of
the Army, and Col. Frank Halford
for Maj. Gen. Thomas Holcomb,
commandant of the Marine Corps.
1t. Montgomery, who said he
would not break the tradition BAN
ming speeches, declared that he
hoped the example set by the board
in its gift to the club would be
followed by many other organiza-
tions.
Summer Time" Is Theme.
In keeping with the theme of
the dinner-"In the Good Old Sum-
mer Time"-there was a painting
OF Smith and Jones Bath House"
across the corridor at the entrance
to the section reserved for the
affair. Criss-crossing the ceiling be-
yond the entrance were flags Of
the United Nations.
Before the dessert the lights were
dimmed as walters paraded around
the tables carrying lighted letters
saluting the Army, Navy, Marine
Corps and Coast Guard. At the
end of the line, a waiter carried q
large letter v, with red torches at
the top of each point of the letter.
During the dinner George H.
OConnor, with Odell S. Smith
and G. w. Buchholz, sang songs
in line with the Good Old Sum
mer Time"
A reception was held first in the
Chinese room for the almost 900
persons present, including men,
bers of Congress, Federal and Dis
trict government officials and high
ranking officers Of the armed forces.
In the reception line were officers
and directors Of the trade organ
ization.
Big Entertainment Program.
Following the dinner there was
vaudeville, produced by Eddie
Luntz. Those taking part were
Jeannett Hackett's Revue, Jack
Shaw, Gwen NARROW, Ben Yosts
Varsity Eight, Ashley & Ware, Jean
Blaine, Bob Malinson, Three Dolls
and Claire, Sanas e. Jack.
Committee chairmen for the va
rious committees Of the annual af-
fair included: Harvey L. Jones,
General Committee; James A. Cas-
sidy, Advisory Committee; Mr..
Smith, invitations; James E. Coli
flower, reception; Garrett A. Pen
dleton, entertainment; Leon Chate-
lain, IT,, dinner and decorations;
j. Merrill Conner, tickets; Herman
F. Carl. lights and amplifiers:
Earl P. Ready, printing; Curtis T.
Martin, property; David C. Cola
day, Floor Committee; John F. Hill
yard, souvenirs; Henry j. Connor,
publicity, and Charles M. Boteler,
transportation.
Mr.. Smith paid tribute to Thorn
ton w. Owen, chairman of the
Membership Committee, whose
members served on the various
committees for the affair.
A list of the guests and others at
tending the banquet follows: