The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-02
FREE-HAND COMMENT
ON MEN AND MANNERS
Rush of Plain People to Presidents Re-
cePtiOn Is Hard to Explain on
Any Rational Basis.

Did you make a resolution
Stick it out,
Though the beastly resolution
Is a silly institution.
Stick It out,
Was it tipping. GUESSING. snoking2
Stick it out,
Though you think you were but joking.
And the appette's provoking.
Stick it out.
The arrest OF several employees Of the
IrOquois Theater. in Chicago. on the
charge of manslaughter. resembles the
ancient futility of locking thu barn door
after the horse has been stolen Even
ii it shall be proved that there was care
lessness on the part of these subordi-
mates. not much will have been gained
by their condemnation and punishment.
The responsibility OF theater lies with
the management and the municipal au-
thOrities. II is the duty OF the former
to see that Eien are not employed who
are careless. and to insist upon "A rigid
system OF inspection and discipline. IL
lies with the municipal authorities to
see that the laws are enforced TO the
letter.
Those people who are Jumped to-
gether in the prayer book under the
phrase 'all sorts and conditions OF
men. shook hands with the President
yesterday Why they did SO, it is diff
cult 20 understand on any basis Of
sound reasoning. The President is an
admirable gentleman, much respected
and beloved, and IL Is an honor to shake
hands with him. when the Misunderstanding
means anything. But when he is obliged
TO stand, as a matter OF ceremony
for hours, and move his arm up
and down automat ically like the handle
of a windmill pump; when he can't dis
tinguish you from Tom. or Dick. or
Harry. when he never saw you before
and in all human probability never will
set eyes upon you again, what is there
! In liz You know he is dying tor a cup
OF tea, or whatever mild stimulus BE-
takes and you wish ne smoked OF
something. that ne might have some
thing to look forward 10 after the ordeal
is over. You feel conscious, too. that
you are just one more in that long
line that you represent one more rise
and fall of the bump handle. and you
realize THAI. II you really loved him, you
would stay away
Is it curiosity as to how he looks?
Well, then go and hear him some time
when he IS making a speech. Or is it a
desire to realize the boast that you are
I an American citizen. and on terms Of
Misunderstanding equality with the Presi-
dent Of this great repubIic2 If SO, then
you knew it without actually putting il
TO the test. As for the equality bust
ness, you are exactly what you have
made yourself IL you have improved
your opportunities. perhaps you are
sitting in his Cabinet. or are n posi-
ton 10 drop in on him at any time and
have him tell you that he is 'dee-light-
ed TO see you" For-here Is a matter
that no one has called attention to be-
fore, he doesn't say he is "dee-Hghted'
unless he means il. But as for getting
inc a line becoming one drop IA
bucket. one cottage in a row. or one
tooth on a comb. there doesn't seem TO
be anything worth while in that
Today has been so gloomy and wintry
that one cannot help feeling that yes
terday was sunny and pleasant for the
sole reason that it was New Year.
We really shall have to revive dueling
in this country The fencers Of the Ma
tional Capital are planning season of
such activity that it looks as though
this ancient and graceful exercise might
become a fad. IL has the most fash
ionable and influential patronage here,
as Ambassador Cassini is president Of
the Fencers' Club. and the Pre- iident
himself is devotee of the exercise. In
deed, the important news appeared in
yesterdays Times that the latter is hav-
ing something done TO pair OF French
sabers-having them repaired. or sharp
into the sport with his customary siren
uousness. We shall expect. ere the win
ter is over, TO hear the gr,Hf.ng and
ringing OF steel upon steel behiT,I every
door and gate that we pass. kat this
graceful and manly art cannot reach
highest perfection without il be put 10
actual test once in a while. The really
great fencers appear in epOchs in which
a mans ability TO keep an unpunctured
skin depends upon the perfection Of his
foU plav. You don't develop nearly the
skill and alertness against a foil with a
button as you do against those which
mean business. So, let us have dueling
back again. Icy al means.
Another woman. the mother Of Jockey
Ransch. this time has banked her
money in the stove. with the ssuaI re-
suits. and is bemOaning tae loss of
1000. This is one of the curious items
that are repeated so often in the news
columns that they have become familiar
TO us. Some other woman VII do the
same thing again before long. Next.
The list of Washington couples mar
ried the last year in Rockville more
than fills a newspaper column. and the
majority have been united in wedlock
by the Rev. $. p White If all these
matrimonial ventures turn out well.
what lot OF happiness the Rev White
viii have become accessory rat lie
should be called the cupid of Rockville.
Boston begins the new year will q
giant beef trust If it We're bean trust
now, the situation would be serious.
People who have formed the sauer-
kraut habit will be distressed to learn
that famine Is threatened in that
important article Of diet. In any case.