The Savannah morning news., 1902-03-31
WRESTLING TOO TAME.
Does Not Reduce the Presidents
Flesh Fast Enough.

Washington, March 29-President
Roosevelt has dispensed with the serv-
ices of the professional wrestler,
OBrien, who was engaged to give him
regular course of exercise. Prof.
OBrien teaches what is known as the
japanese style of wrestling, which con-
sists principally of hand grips rather
than body holds. The President is TAX
ing on flesh too freely for his comfort,
ana 1t was suggested that wrestling
was better flesh reducer than long
walks and horseback riding. For a.
week or so the President tried wrest-
ing, but the result was not satisfac-
tory, so Prof. OBrien has gone back
10 Boston and the President has re-
sumed horseback riding and brisk walk
ing as regular daily exercise. AS a
further diversion from public cares and
at the same time with view TO TAX
ing exercise, he contemplates reviving
the custom of former Presidents, of
holding tri-weekly public receptions or
handshaking matinees in the East
Room at 1890 o'clock Mondays, We'd
nesdays and Saturdays.
The Fascination of n Uniform.
A military uniform seems to possess
for President Roosevelt a strange fas-
cination. 1t is observed that a soldier
in uniform, be he officer or private,
When calling upon the President, al
ways receives a friendly greeting. 1t
is not to be inferred that the Presi-
dent does not receive all of his WISH
tors cordially but he seems to take a
speclaT pleasure. in grasping the hand
OF a soldier. If he does not happen to
Know the callers name, he will greet
him as "Comrade." Frequently DUR
ing public receptions a hundred or
more men, women and children will
pay their respects to the President and
receive a hurried shake of the hand
ana either smile or a brief De
hghted. Then comes one Of the Boys
in Blue" The Presidents face bright
ems up. He is all action and animation
in an instant. The soldier is a private,
VINO strolled in to the East Room with
the crowd He is filled with pride and
satisfaction as the President grasps
his hand with more than ordinary
vigor and exclaims:
Comrade, l am delighted to meet
you. So glad to have the chance. What
is your regiment"
The soldier boy is overcome with
confusion at being thus honored, but
ne manages to mutter something about
his command, as he is hurried along
by the crowd behind him. A similar
scene is enacted at the White House
whenever the President has soldier
boys among his casual callers.
The sports in Congress.
Sporting blood in Congress is rapidly
climbing up TO the boiling point as the
gentle spring advances. The horse
races at Bennings Park and the as
sembling of the Washington baseball
team, in addition to two or three games
| of college ball already pulled off on
the. Georgetown University campus, is
| sufficient to induce certain national
legislators to indicate their preferences
in the line of outdoor sports
Among senators, baseball appears to
have the call, although Senators Black
burn of Kentucky, McLaurin of South
| Carolina. Beverage of Indiana, and a
few others fancy the ponies" Dur
ing the set speeches in the Senate, on
such "giddy" topics as the oleomar-
garine bill, the younger senators are
glad to find an opportunity to steal
away to the cloak room, and over their
cigars, indulge in what baseball experts
| call tanning"
One of the most enthusiastic fans in
| the Senate is Senator Kittridge of
Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Senator
Kittridge knows the name of almost
every prominent ball player in the
country connected with the leading
college or professional teams. Being
a graduate of Yale, he naturally
roots" for Old Eli in all of the coll
iege games. He has already organ
lied band of senatorial fans for the
present season, which includes Gull
berson of Texas, Deliver of Iowa, NAL
lory of Florida, Penrose of Pennsyl-
wanna, Mason of Illinois and a few
others.
In the House of Representatives
sporting blood runs freely. During the
past week it has been impossible to
roll a quorum in the hall after 2: so
o'clock any afternoon when the weather
is fair and the racing card at Ben
nings was attractive. Old and young
members might be heard arranging
pairs" to go down town to look after
some departmental business" but If
their footsteps were followed, they
could have been traced to the nearest
point at which they might take car
for the race track
Representative Mercer of Nebraska
is perhaps the most ardent baseball
crank" in the House Close up to
him in bunch are Brant1ey Of Geor-
gia, Cousins of Iowa. Curtis of Kan
sdS, AouliS VI fSniiSylNdIla' OllueT-
wood of Alabama, Fitzgerald and Rup-
pert of New York, with the veteran
Mr.. Oddly of Minnesota, making a good
slide for zone, two, three" position.
If the Washington American League
team makes any kind of showing in
the early part of the season, the man
agement may confidently count upon
an attendance of about forty Congress-
men at every game.
The senators and representatives
who are lovers of the national game
may run away from their congressional
duties at any time without fear of be-
ing open to the charge of neglecting
their public duties. Their interests,
while they are on a baseball excursion.
are carefully safeguarded by Secre-
tary Bennett of the Senate and Clerk
Mcdowell of the House. both rampant
| baseball "1ends."