The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-08
THE aRIDIRON's MENU WAS
ANEW ALICE IN WONDERLAND
The Illustrations and Quotations Could Be
Applied to Events in the Life of
President Roosevelt.
lBy DE Assoclated Press. }

Washington, Dec. THE Gridiron Club
composed of forty Washington correspon-
dents, scored another notable sucCt SIS to-
night on the occasion of the December
dinner. About $50 guests assembled
around the Gridiron table at the Arlington
Hotel which was beautifully decorated
for the occasion.
AS usual, the entertainment consisted
OF burlesque and satires upon public
events and things and numerous public
men and prominent guests were toasted
TO the usual course of Gridlron broiling.
which is always of a good natured kind
Mr.. Arthur W. Dunn, the president Cf
the club, at the beginning OF ihe din
ner, announced that serious affairs of
the world would be reserved for other
times, or treated in lighter vein, aud
this was the keynote of the subsequent
proceedings.
The features. as usual, touched upon
public events in a jocular manner and
began with mepnu which Was New
Alice in Wonderland" BY the most deli
cate inference the illustrations and quo
tations could be applied to some of the
events in the life of President /Roose-
welt. The arrival of the Collier Merri-
ment" (Merrimac) with supply of cham
payne to fill the bunkers of the diners,
was a laughable skit, and the election
OF a delegate 10 London to attend the
coronation furnished opportunity for the
nomination of a number OF guests fCr TIE
place and their rejection for various rea-
sons.
There was quite large number of rail-
road men present, and they were all
brought out in competition for beauty
show, and finally the prize was awarded
to B. w. Wrenn, The comments of the
members of the club upon the various
qualification and appearance of these rail-
way officials caused the room to echo
With laughter.
Another laughable skit- was a fake
meeting of an alleged cabinet in which
various sporting characters appeared and
tried TO pass themselves off as the real
thing.
They were finally hustled out dncere-
moniously. Among those who made eX-
cellent speeches were Postmaster General
Smith, Senators Allison and Mitchell, tie
Chinese Minister, ex-senator Carter and
Governor Francis, both now connected
with the Louisiana purchase exposition
Representative Landis of Indiana; So%icl-
tor General Richardson, of the Depart
ment of Justice, and others.
The musical programme, as usual, vas
excellent. consisting of solos, quartettes
and choruses, as well as catchy topical
songs. Among those present Were
Postmaster General Charles Emery
Smith, the Chinese Minister, WI Ting
Fang, Senator'S Allison, Burrows, Hanna,
Representatives Underwood, JOY and
Landis, General John r. Brook, General
Henry c. Corbin, General j. L. Weston
ex-Secretary Cornelius N. Bliss New
York; r. E. L. Bunch, Seaboard Air
Line; Harry w. Fuller, Chesapeake and
Ohio Railroad; Director of Census VIM.
r. Merriam; Paul Morton, Atchisoa, To-
peka and Santa Fe Railway; s. il. Hard
wick, General Passenger Agent Southern
Railway; Marcus A. Smith and James
II. McClintock, Arizona; B. w Wreen,
Plant Railway System; Mr.. Jno. F. Wagg
aman Annapolis; T. G. Jeffrey Midland
Railway England; Mr.. Myron T. Heirick,
Cleveland Ohio and Mr.. Scott Bone
Washington Post.