Washington Herald (DC) 17 Jun 1908 [photo]
GUEST OF HONOR.
CLARENCE F. NORMENT,
Entertained at dinner by George E. Hamilton, president of the Capital Traction Company.
DINNER TO NORMENT
New Street Railway Head Guest of Honor.
PRESIDENT HAMILTON HOST
Representative Company of Citizens Participate in Notable Function in Compliment to Official Now Directing Affairs of Street Railways. Best Service the Watchword.
Mr. George E. Hamilton, president of the Capital Traction Company, was the host at a notable dinner at the New Willard given last night complimentary to Mr. Clarence F. Norment, president of the Washington Street Railway Company. A more representative company of Washington citizens was probably never before brought together at any similar function to do honor to one of their number. It was a Washington dinner in its entirety.
It was given in the ball-room of the hotel, a large room adjoining being used for the reception which preceded it. The host and guests, numbering fifty, were seated about an oval-shaped table exquisitely adorned with flowers and palms, and present a scene of rare beauty.
Host and Guest Speak.
When the coffee was served, Mr. Hamilton, after announcing that it was not to be an evening of speechmaking, but given to better acquaintance, paid a brief but eloquent tribute to the guest of honor, who has but recently been placed at the head of one of the great public utilities of the city, and to his high standing in the community as a public-spirited man of affairs.
Mr. Norment responded in a speech full of feeling, in which he fittingly acknowledged that the honor done him by his friends about the table, and expressed the high and affectionate esteem he felt for the host who had brought he company together.
[photo, GEORGE E. HAMILTON]
Recalling his early days in Washington and the struggles incident thereto, and the advice of his good father which had started him aright, he recited with much effect a poem by Sam Walter Foss, "Take Him by the Hand," to illustrate the need of helpfulness in life. An ovation followed.
Praised by Mr. Macfarland.
Commissioner Macfarland was called upon and made a happy speech. after alluding facetiously to the fact that the Interstate Commerce Commission had now relieved the District government of a responsibility in connection with the public utilities and to the rumor of a possible merger, he paid tribute to both Presidents Hamilton and Norment, emphasizing the good fortune of the Capital in having such men at the head of the street railways. He also spoke of the public spirit invariably shown by the citizens of Washington, as represented at this dinner.
In answer to the Commissioner's reference to a rumored merger, Mr. Hamilton said that nothing of the sort was in contemplation; but, speaking for Mr. Norment, as well as himself, he could say that the paramount purpose of both companies would be to give the best possible service to the public.
At the Table.
The dinner company was as follows:
... Mr. Clarence F. Norment ... Mr. Harry Norment ...

Washington Times (DC) 17 Jun 1908 last edition
HAMILTON HONORS RIVAL PRESIDENT
Head of Capital Traction Company Gives Banquet for Mr. Norment.
A dinner attended by fifty representative Washington men was tendered in honor of Clarence F. Norment, president of the Washington Street Railways Company, by George E. Hamilton, president of the Capital Traction Company, at the New Willard Hotel last evening.
The banquet was held in the large ballroom of the hotel, and the table was adorned with palms and flowers. At the close of the banquet Mr. Hamilton introduced the president of the Washington Street Railway Company.
Mr. Norment recalled the early days of his life, speaking feelingly of the advice of his father, and reciting Sam W. Foss' "Take Him By the Hand."
He was followed by Commissioner Macfarland, who delivered a facetious speech.
The Commissioner spoke of the fact that the Interstate Commerce Commission had robbed the District government of most of its work concerning street railways and also spoke of the rumored merger of the two corporations represented at the dinner.
Mr. Hamilton replied to the last statement of the Commissioner, declaring that nothing of the sort was about to occur, and stating for Mr. Norment and himself that the only desire of the two companies was the best street car service possible for the people.