New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-21
FREDERICK D. TAPPEN
LEAGUE CLUB-HIS LIBRARY AND
THE PARROT
THE PARROT.

THE PARROT.
The election OF Frederick D. Tappen as presi-
dent Of the Union League Club, to succeed Elihu
Root, brings to the head Of this important
ganizatioR man who never held public office
never figured in political affairs and whose ele-
walton to the place was due to the efforts OF
devoted friends and to no exertion on his part
1t is well known that no man ever seeks the
presidency Of the Union League Club. but Mr.
Tappen went further and asked his friends to
abandon the plan which would elevate him to
the presidency Of the club, with which he has
been identified since 1868. But they persisted
and forced the honor upon him as a mark Of
their appreciation Of his patriotic action as a
member Of the Clearing House Committee dur
Ing the panic in December. The bankers pool
OF which he was one subscribed $10OOOOOO at
that time when the price of ready money had
gone up 30 high that IT was beyond the reach
Of conservative operators, and this amount was
placed IN the hands Of Mr.. Tappen, who loaned
II out In way to avoid a commercial disaster
IN the money centre His faithful service in
various capacities in the club entitled him to
consideration, but his highest claim to the dis
tinction in Wall Street on December
20. 1899
Mr. Tappen was born in New-York in Janu-
ary 1929 and has been connected with the bank
Of which he is now the president since 1850. He
became cashier in 1857. and president in 1868
At his desk in the Gallatin Bank at the coun-
Gil table Of the New-York Clearing House, at
the meetings of business men. where his advice
Is always eagerly sought, Mr.. Tappen impresses
one as man of force and power, and although
his hair and heavy mustache are snowy white
he appears to be ten years younger than ne
really is. In the roOmy, cosey library Of his
home No. 40 East ixty-eighth-st., away from
business, Mr., Tappen appears to the best ad-
vantage. Books. bric-a-b rac and souvenirs of
travel in foreign lands are on all sides and over
ali is a genuine home spirit which shows thai
business is left behind when the home Is en-
tered. There also, in a massive gilded cage, Is
the parrot which has become famous since Mr.
Tappens election
The new president was asked to give briefly
a sketch of his career in the club OF which he
has become the head, and in answer said: 7
shall have to refer you to the records for really
l can't remember the details"
You're a liar!" shrieked the parrot
That's a remarkable bird" said the news
paper man.
Yes She spoke only German when got her
from German sea captain few years ago.
And then Mr. Tappen told how when he made
a trip to Africa few years ago he had been
instructed to bring parrot from that country
All the time l in Africa" said Mr. Tap
pen, I never saw parrot, but when 7 returned
TO Europe 1 thought of my promise and the
German sea captain procured this fine bird for
me in Hamburg. She soon learned to talk Eng
lish, as you have heard and her words are fire.
quently so well chosen that one is inclined to
believe that she has reasoning power" and ~
way Of Endorsement the bird fairly yelled.
You're Iiarr'
And that was all the information as to his
club career that Mr.. Tappen would give
The following are the presidents Of the club
who have preceded Mr.. Tappen: Robert B
Mlnturn, Jonathan Sturgis, Charles H Mar
shall, John jay Jackson S. Schultz, William !
Hoppin, Joseph H Choate, George Cabot Ward
Hamilton Fish, William NJ. Evarts, Chauncey
NJ. Depew, Horace Porter and EIihu Root.
ENGL4ND'S INFLUEYZA FPJDF1fIC