BANQUET. , 291 



RESPONSE BY HON. CHARLES M. SCHWAB. 



Mr. Toastmaster, Mr. Secretary, ladies and g-entlemen, although the introduction of the 

 toastmaster was an inspiring one for a, man who intended to make a true, patriotic and seri- 

 ous speech, I find it very difficult to speak this evening under the auspices under which I 

 start — not only am I last on the program here, but even the good reverend gentleman started 

 off invoking a blessing on every department of the Govermnent and shipbuilding except the 

 Emergency Fleet Corporation. Now, I do not know whether he thought that the Emer- 

 gency Fleet Corporation did not need it, or whether he thought it was so bad that even his 

 blessing would not help it. I cannot very well imderstand that point, but notwithstanding 

 that handicap, after listening to the splendid addresses of the gentlemen who followed him, 

 I commenced to feel some spirit of enthusiasm, when that great lawyer from Pittsburgh, 

 whom I have known and been associated with so many years, got up and put the fear of 

 the Lord so into my heart that that which I intended saying I cannot say. Now, Judge Buf- 

 fington is a mighty fine lawyer, but I am afraid he would make a pretty poor shipbuilder. 

 I do not mind saying that when I came to the Emergency Fleet Corporation he was the first 

 fellow who came down and insisted on a shipyard in Pittsburgh. (Applause. ) He is a really 

 enthusiastic Pittsburgher, is this Judge Buffington — he was my lawyer for many years. Mr. 

 Daniels was telling me a short time ago things that I do not like to be reminded of — things 

 that happened about twenty years ago, when water was then a good deal discussed, and not to 

 float ships. I had something to do with things of that kind. I had congratulated myself that I 

 had forgotten all about them, until the Secretary brought the subject up again. Then I 

 thought of an experience about that time with Judge Buffington, when I went to him for 

 legal advice. That advice was of such a character that I went home feeling that I was about 

 the worst culprit in the United States. 



I went to sleep and had a dream. I dreamed that I would shrive my soul of all the 

 things that I had done wrong* with reference to flotations, and water, et cetera, and, good 

 Catholic that I am, I went to see old Father Hickey. Mr. Morgan, who had been in similar 

 enterpirises with me (laughter) was on the other side of the confessional, and the good 

 Father between us, when suddenly the Father disappeared and I saw my friend at the other 

 end. I said: — ^"Mr. Morgan, where is the good Father gone?" "Oh," he said, "I think he 

 has just gone out into the church." I said, "Don't you believe it; he has gone for a cop." 

 (Loud laughter and applause.) 



Well, since those days we have gotten into a respectable sort of business, the building of 

 ships. 



I went upstairs at 5 o'clock this evening, very tired as the result of traveling from Bos- 

 ton last night, and thought I would have a few moments' rest. I threw myself down on a 



