Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-13

cheers of the crowd. There must have been
a proportion Of bona dde out-of-works
there, albeit OF the class which at the best
of times can only enjoy casual employment.
But the majority were not good to look
upon. The West End may count itself for
tunate that under normal conditions such
faces as those seen this afternoon are hid
den away in the dark places Of the capital.
But for the time being they were quite
harmless Had they been maliciously dis
posed a glance toward the Marble Arch
would have steadied them. There the police
were Lying low but ready for any emer-
gency.
Rough Jokes by the Auditors.
Mr.. Cunninghams Graham, the socialist
workingmans friend. immaculate as ever,
was an object OF interest and wonder.
''Bh-me.' - exclaimed one man. removing a
dirty Guilty pipe from his mouth. :" e looks
like a BARRIERS shop" and the hoarse
laughter around showed that the crude wit
ucism was appreciated. One diversion pro-
voked a group Of puffy-faced shivering men
to bitter satire. A smart Wagonette dashed
up through the park. the only occupant in
addition to the coachman being a round
pampered pug, well protected from the cold.
1t looked as If 1t had just eaten three din
ners. and IN superciffous repletion blinked
hazily at the crowd. What shime-why
don't you feed the poor dawgr shouted one
of the puffy-faced shivering men, but the
contemptuous coachman only cracked his
whip anu luTAeQ-aulCkly INTO OX1OrQ street.
On the outskirts OF the crowd 1t was not
easy to hear the speeches. but q good deal
was said about loafers- artStocratic loafers
Repeatedly the orators pointed to the Park
Lane mansions. their yellow fronts gleam-
ing In the cold winter sunlight. and the I'M
employed were exhorted not to be longer
humbugged by the hypocrites and despoil-
erS living therein. I'VE know what has
happened In hard times before" said one Of
the speakers. when you showed your
selves they pretended to take an interest in
you, these sweils and politicians But after
ward they do not care twopenny damn"
Mr. Cunninghame Graham removed his
glossy silk hat, his ample white muffler and
his heavy overcoat. to address the meeting
these several articles OF attire falling to the
temporary custody Of socialfstic satellites
1t was speech on the customary lines be-
traying an underlying scorn for the ma
thence and inertness of the hungry probe
tariat. But the speeches were listened to
with grim silence. Fifty per cent of the
demonstrators did not pretend to take any
interest in thenu at. all. Some went to sleep
on the park seats. Others lounged against
the park ratings. Many smoked, and talked.
and laughed under the bare trees But the
sound of drum called the whole body into
united action.
They fell into their allotted places be-
lind their dirty little red banners and again
at the signal Of the drum. marched out in
a. long slouching. ragged stream. at the
Marble Arch the steady beat of the police
PATROL sounding in their ears with admon-
TORY precision. Down Oxford street they
marched through the crowded West End
traffic, making here and there an attempt
to raise wafling song. Look at them
there foreigners among EN-" exclaimed an
artisan on the top OF bus. Keep them
foreigners out, and then there'n be plenty
OF work"
New Glass Of Battle Ships.
The designs OF Mr.. Philip Watts first
battle ships for the British navy are. now
in an advanced state. so that as soon as the
navy estimates are produced In parliament
early In March. work may be given out to
the dockyards and private firms. In view
OF the agitation going on now In the United
States over the increase of the navy some
aspects Of the British program Will be OF
interest. "
Those advocates who insist that British