Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-11-11
A TALK WITH FUNSTON.
General Chatted While Barber
Trimmed the Already Close
Grained Heard.

As Brigadier General Frederick Funston
sat in a carriage that drew up in front
of the Coates House yesterday, he was a
living example of the fact that mere avoir-
dupois does not constitute dignity nor
great stature commanding mien.
There was something about the little
mana determined Sc to the shoulders
and a stern, serene look in the eye-that
was suggestive of military precision and
authority. He rode in the finest livery car
riage in the city, drawn by four horses
with big plumes in their brides.
The Third Regiment band preceded it,
playing martial airs and occasionally
throwing in few bars of "A Hot Time in
the Old Town. The crowd that had gath
cred in front of the hotel sent UP ter
rifle cheer as Funston's carriage stopped at
the hotel entrance and the little man in
plain military uniform and cap stood UP.
There was q surging toward the hotel en-
trance as he stepped from the carriage and
entered the lobby. and when he had dis
appeared within the crowd remained to
gaze at his carriage and to listen to the
Third Regiment band Even the coachman
was Injected with the military enthusiasm
and he sat as proudly as the royal equer-
ry of Frederick the Great.
1t was in his apartments at tne Mldiano
hotel several hours later. however that
Funston gave an exhibition of his Ma
poleonic way of doing a dozen things at
once. While barber trimmed MS oeard
and cards, dispatched bellboys on errands,
talked to a group of friends that surrounu-
ed him and gave an interview TO a news,
paper man. Although it was O'Clock and
he had been on the go ever since he ar
rived in Kansas City, at least dozen Of
his friends we're still with him,
..I should think you would be nearly
worn out" said one.
You can't wear me cut" was the gen.
erals reply. Il am net easily tired.
While they were talking rap came at
the door and a dapper young man with a
small grip entered the room.
.'Did someone send for a barber?' he
asked. r,,. l.. o,-
tinued talking for several minutes while
the barber stood waiting. Then General
Funston arose and took off his blue blouse,
chief advantages was that no vest was
required to be worn with 1t. He seated
himself in large armchair, saying to the
barber: :.
.Clip nv side beard close. If you please"
and to his friends: II can talk to you just
as well while my beard Is being trimmed;
of clippers. An apron was tied about the
warriors neck. apd the shearing machihe
clicked up and down the cheeks of the
hero of the Philippines while , he talked: l. :,
he said, land this is the first opportunity
1 have had of caring for my beard"
Someone asked WEen ne was 10 stdI
back to the Philippines. He said he would
start Tuesday.
8. W. Moore.
"Well. no." the general replied. Il don't
enjoy the sea voyage. I've been across the
Pacific twice. now. and am satisfied
Did you get the papers regularly while
YOU were in the Philippines" another in
auired, wondering whether General Fun
ston had had the pleasure of reading OF
his own exploits.
Yes got the Kansas City papers
right along. They came at intervals of
about every two weeks, and We would get
big batch of mail all at once
The clippers were approaching the cor
ners of the generals mouth and moving
close to the edges of his mustache. SO that
ne did not reply to the next question.
which happened to be about General Otis
and the future policy of the Philippines.
AS soon as the perilous part of the clip
ping was past, he said:
pines further than that feel certain they
will be under the United States flag by
March A government can then be given
| to the poor. misguided followers of-of the
George Washington of the islands. that
will insure to them the same rights and
privileges enjoyed by our own people. The
position this government has taken with
regard to the islands is right. There can
be no doubt of that. Every United States
soldier who Is fighting there for his coun-
| try is imbued with that idea
From this the conversation drifted into
personal matters. 4 campaign hat menu
Of the Knife and Fork Club banquet was
| handed to the general. He turned the