The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-31
THE GRIDlRON DINNER
HAPPY TIME HAD BY WASHING.
 TON CORRESPONDENTS,
Roosevelt, Hanna, Taft, cockrell, German and Francis Among the Guests of the News
 paper Men.

Washington, Jan. 30.-The Gridiron Club entertained notable guests at tho annual dinner given by this famous newspaper organization at the Arlington Hotel to- night. There were 225 persons present, and in the large assembly were the Pres ident, members of the Cabinet, diplomats, Senators and Representatives, army and navy officers and persons prominent in the business and literary world. Men whose names have figured in connection with the Presidency, including the pres- ent Chief Executive, Hanna, Taft, Col man, Cockreli and Francis, were present and enjoyed the clever satire and gridiron quips at the expense of themselves as well as the many unique features bur lesquing national and international events From the timc President Louis A, Coul- idge welcomed the guests until the "Song of Home" at midnight, there were an un- interrupted flow of wit and merriment There were clever slklts, topical songs, good speeches and everything possible to make the dinner a complete Gridiron.
 The menu was d treaty for the estab- lishment of the Gridiron alimentary Ca nal in which q number of guests figured as the high contracting parties. Two
 members were initiated, Scott c. Bone of The Washington Post and N. C. Mes. senger of The Washington Evening Star.
 They were compelled to appear as news boys, selling extra editions of their rep resentative papers which on examination by the committee were found to contain startling statements concerning many of the prominent guests present.
 One of the most interesting features or the evening was the appearance of "Pro- lessor Stringerstringem, Ventriloquist, , with dummies, who were named for Senators. Cabinet officers and others. The answer which these "dummies'' made to various questions provoked peals Of laughter For instance, the ''ventrilo- quist' asked:
 Arthur Pue German, is 1t true that Bryan has come out for you for Presi- dent?"
 German (dummy)-No Bryan is friend of mine.
 Vcntriloquist-David Bonnet Hill, havo you heard that Grover Clevelandd may be nominated for President? Hill (dummy)-Which party? Different guests were questioned during the dinner, of which the following are samples:
 General Corbin-"What would have been your present rank In the army if you had started as a doctor?"
 Judge Taft-"You are to be sworn in as Secretary of War Monday. Have you yet | taken the oath of allegiance?" Secretary Wilson-"What would be the
 result of crossing the boil weevI with the
 Scotch high ball?''
 Medals were conferred on those wto had been members ten years and in giv- | Ing these and badges tC those which had | been the pride of the club, pointed and | personal hits were indulged in show l that there was no discrimination between guests and Gridironers in the matter of "roaSts."
 Among thosc who made speeches were President Roosevelt, Secretaries Root, Shaw and Wilson, Judge Taft, the Ger man Ambassador, Speaker Cannon, form CT Senator Garter and Senators Hanna, Go: man and Cockrell.
 Among the guests were: President Roosevelt, Secretaries Root, Shaw, Will son and Corte!y Iu; Postmaster General Payne. Governor Taft of the Philippines, Associate Justice Day. United States Su- proInc Court; Senators Aldrich, Bever- ldge, Blackburn, Burrows, CockrelI pa- hols, Gallagher, Sotman, Hanna, Kearns. Long and Scott; Speaker Cannon, Repre- senta tives Dwight, Gro svenur, Hepburn, Tate. Howard and Tawneyi Baron von StornlnTg. the German Ambassador; Ma joc General Henry Corbin, Brigadier Gen c"al Charl-s T. Humphrey, Rear Admir- als John c. Walker and Winfield g. S:hley,- and q lumber of prominent mer among the army and navy and newspa- pers.
 ROLLER CHAMPION FLOUR