Evening star., 1945-02-22

The humanity and compassion of
George Washington was stressed
today by United States Commis-
sioner Needham c. Turnage in his
address at the annual Washington's s
Birthday celebration of the Associa-
ton Of Oldest Inhabitants.
Despite the rainy weather, a near
capacity crowd filled the hall in
the Old Union Engine House to hear
Mr.. Turnage and to listen to a mes
sage from the associations presi-
dent, Theodore w. Noyes.
While praising Washington's self
reliance. energy and ability as a
leader Of men, Mr.. Turnage said it
was his kindliness and compassion
for others that endears him to me
most"
The greatest insight to his char
acter is his kindness and attention
to his brother, who was dying OF
tuberculosis" Mr.. Turnage said.
This answering devotion has
made me feel closer to Washington
than any Of his other exploits"
Mr.. Turnage also mentioned
Washington's refusal to become a
monarch after his brilliant military
successes in the Revolutionary War.
Officers Are Named.
when he was offered a crown,
he rejected 1t and stated that it was
beyond his understanding why men
could fight so hard and drastically
for liberty and then hold it SO
cheaply," Mr.. Turnage said.
The impressive ceremony started
with an invocation delivered by the
Rev. Arlington A. MaCallum, rector
of st. Paul's Episcopal Church. This
was followed by q salute to the flag
and the Pledge of Allegiance, fol-
lowed by the singing Of. America" !"
An original poem was ready by DR..
John Clagett Proctor and Washing
tons Farewell Address was read by
DR.. j. Newton Baker.
Preceding the services the associ-
alton held a business meeting and
elected several new officers. Those
named are Judge William e. Rich
ardson and Lemuel A. Carruthers,
vice presidents; Orrin j. Davy, re-
cording secretary, and Edward l..
Springer. financial secretary.
The message Of Mr.. Noyes, who
was unable to attend because of
illness, was read by Jesse C. Suter.
The text of Mr.. Noyes' letter to
the association follows:
Dear friends OF the Oldest Inhabi-
tants:
Again I am prevented by physical
disabilities from greeting you in
person on George Washington &
great day and must substitute for
the inspiring spoken word the COM
paratively colorless written word.
I regret deeply that cannot be
with you today. I am disappointed
that I am not to renew greetings
with old and tried friends and also
that I am not to join in an enthu-
siastic welcome of our speaker oi
the day, our fellow patriarch the
Hon. Needham c. Turnage, United
States Commissioner.
George Washington,s great day Is
also the great day in the year for
Washington City-the city which
Washington, the man, founded and
even in its prenatal state cherished
and which bears his honored name
We cannot honor the man Wash
ington more appropriately and more
effectively than by fulfilling his
predictions and making realities OF
his dreams concerning the National
Capital.
No Limitation Meant.
Was the Nations City In Wash
ington's intent to be limited In
area to the ground absolutely neces-
sary for the public buildings and
the governmental activities? No. As
the Federal District was created
of the largest area that the Con-
stitution permitted, so in respect to
the area Of the Nations City George
Washington suggested in one Of his
letters that the Capital of the
United States should be as much
larger than Philadelphia as the
United States was larger than Penn
sylvania. In 1891, commenting upon
the area covered by Philadelphia,
he inquired suggestively Of the