Evening star., 1951-05-29
500 at Banquet
Join in Tribute
To Gen. Young

w YIN ~ Sss HsSSs
Commissioner Luuded;
Col. Robinson Greeted
Nearly 600 persons last night
paid tribute to Brig. Gen. Gordon
r. Young, retiring Engineer Com
missioner. and extended a well
come to his successor, Col. Ber-
nard L. Robinson, who takes over
the job on Friday.
A Citizens Committee dinner
honoring the two men took placs
In the Mayflower Hotel with Fed
eral. District and civic leaders
present to bid good-by to the Army
engineer, Y. no has just completed
more than five years Of service as
Commissioner. He assumed his
duties In September, 1945.
William E. Leahy, prominent at
torney and civic leader, was prin-
cipal speaker. After recounting
the highlight; of Gen. Young's
military engineering career, which
has included achievements IN
flood control, water resources and
harbor improvement and irriga-
tior1, Mr.. Leahy pointed out that
Washington's newest public works
have evolved during Gen. Young's
term IN office.
Cites Major Projects.
ITO his memory" Mr.. Leahy
said. always will stand major
public building construction at
an expense of approximately $27
million, major extension Of the
water distribution system at q
cost Of approximately $40 million,
major extensions Of the sewer sys-
tenn at an expenditure Of approxi-
mately $12 million, major extern
sions OF the sewer treatment plant
at a cost Of approximately IS mil
lion and expansion Of water treat
ment facilities at an expense Of
approximately $12 million. :" =
Mr.. Leahy also told Of other
public works that came into being
while Gen. Young was Engineer
Commissioner, such as the South
Capitol Street Bridge, the White
hurst Freeway, the Dupont Circle
underpass. construction Of the
Fourteenth Street Bridge and the
beginning Of construction Of the
East Capitol Street Bridge.
Daniel w. Bell. president of the
American Security & Trust Co,
who presented the testimonial
scroll and the combination tele-
vision. radio and photograph to
Cen. Young, said of the retiring
Engineer Commissioner:
He brought to this position a
wealth of engineering skill ana
technical knowledge, together
with deep insight into the many
problems = faced by this COM
munity.'. sg r g
Scroll From Citizens.
The testimonial scrool from
the citizens of Washington, D. c., /"
mentioned in part Gen. Young's
friendly association and cooper
alton with local citizens" and
added: His tenure of duty has
more fully enabled the city Of
washington to meet the many
complex problems arising from
postwar growth and expansion Of
municipal services and to plan
for the years ahead"
The scroll bore the seal of the
District and was signed by Bruce
Baird, treasurer of the Testimonial
Committee; Thornton w. Owen,
chairman; Maj. Gen. David Nc.
Coach. jr., U. S. A., retired, for
mer Engineer Commissioner and
chairman of the Citizens Commit.
tee; P. Y. K. Howat. vice chair
man. and William H. Press, secre.
ltary.
j Gen. Young, in his response,
gave credit to civic groups like the
Federation Of Citizens Associa-
Itions and the Washington Board
|of Trade for their aid and advice
during his term in Office. He also
singled out 1t. Coils. Carlin H,
j IWhitesell and Thomas j. Hayes
iii. Assistant Engineer Commits
'Isioners, and the group Of career
|men heading the District govern
ment departments, as well az
members Of his own staff, for their
Incorporation.
In addition, he spoke of the
members of the House and Senate
District Committees and legis-
Ilators controlling funds for the
District, "who have worked hun
Idreds Of hours with not one act
lot selfish public interest accruina
Ito them" for the betterment OF
the District.
j Col. Robinson said that, in the
I75 years there has been an Engi-
neer Commissioner in Washing
ton, none has served with more
ability or distinction" as Gen
Young, as evidenced by the i'm
lprovements and construction prof.
ects previously outlined by Mr.
j lLeahy.
i Col. Robinson arrived in Wash
llngton yesterday with his wife
Iand spent most Of the day con-
ferring with Gen. Young.
A